The recent listing of Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) on SteamDB has sparked excitement and speculation among fans about a potential global release of this eagerly awaited gacha game. While P5X has been available in select Asian regions since its launch in April, the appearance on SteamDB has fueled hopes for a broader PC release.
P5X Playtest Listed on October 15, 2024
On October 15, 2024, a playtest page for Persona 5: The Phantom X surfaced on SteamDB, a comprehensive database for Steam games. This listing, titled "PERSONA5 THE PHANTOM X Playtest," has been accessed a few times, primarily by users with the username "pwtest," suggesting it might be limited to playtesters. However, the beta version is currently inaccessible, as clicking the store-page button redirects users to Steam's homepage.
P5X Playtest SteamDB Listing Likely Prepping for JP Release
Currently, P5X is exclusively available in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea, where it has cultivated a dedicated fanbase. The demand for an international release, especially from Western audiences, remains high. Atlus, SEGA, and Perfect World have confirmed plans for a broader release during an offline event in Shanghai on July 12, 2024. Additionally, SEGA's financial report for the fiscal year ending March 2024 mentioned that "Future expansion in Japan and global is under consideration." However, specific timelines for these expansions remain undisclosed.
While there is optimism for a Western release, it's crucial to note that the initial developer announcements on Twitter (X) on September 25 and during Tokyo Game Show 2024 primarily focused on the game's launch in Japan for both mobile platforms and Steam. This suggests that the SteamDB listing might be more indicative of a Japanese release rather than an immediate expansion into Western markets.
SEGA has remained relatively silent about the game's international release, leaving fans uncertain about when—or if—the game will expand beyond Japan and other Asian territories. Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding the Japan-only playtest and the game's high profile at events like Tokyo Game Show 2024 suggest that a global release is more a question of "when" rather than "if."
In the meantime, fans can look forward to a series of exciting collaborations within Persona 5: The Phantom X. The game will feature crossover events with Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Reload as it continues to grow and evolve.
For the latest updates on Persona 5: The Phantom X's release, be sure to check out our detailed article below!