Sony exorcises Soul Hackers

[02.09.99] » Too busy playing Rosco McQueen; Spice World to waste time on "boring" RPGs.

   Just when you thought that Sony's approval team had gotten over their insane no-RPG, no-2D bias of the early years, something like this comes along and shakes your faith in the industry. A few months ago, Atlus asked gamers if they would like to see a localization of the popular Megami Tensei RPG, Soul Hackers. Set in the same world as Persona, the result was an overwhelming "yes!" and Atlus began work on the localization.

   Things, however, have come to a grinding halt in Sony's approval process. Sony's game testers rejected the title for unknown reasons, and Atlus is unable to proceed without Sony's approval. The title sold very well in Japan and the fans in the U.S. overwhelmingly supported a localization. Atlus wants to publish it, the fans want to buy it -- why, then, is Sony denying the title to the states? You have to question the validity of an approval process which lets unredeemable stinkers like Fantastic Four and Spice World through to gamers, while denying them a successful RPGs they have specifically requeted. I doubt that many fans wrote Sony begging for a U.S. release of Roscoe McQueen.

   It may be too late for Soul Hackers; but this sets a dangerous precedent for Persona 2. If Sony halts one popular Megami Tensei RPG, will any of the series' titles ever see these shores again?

   Concerned fans can support Atlus by writing SoulHackers@atlus.com. Letters to Sony should be brief, polite, and to the point -- and are highly recommended. Sony can be reached at:

Sony Computer Entertainment America
919 East Hillsdale Blvd.
2nd Floor, Foster City, CA 94404-2175).

   If you want to make a difference, don't just complain to your friends -- write Sony! All of us at the GIA are praying it's not too late -- with all our cybernetic souls.