Atlus, the renowned Japanese video game developer, has stirred controversy among Persona 3 Reload players with its recent announcement regarding the highly anticipated Episode Aigis DLC. The crux of the issue lies in the requirement for ownership of the Expansion Pass to access this new content, a decision that has been met with widespread discontent since the Pass's release on March 11.
(Photo : ATLUS/ Screenshot taken from Steam.)
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Expansion Pass Contents and Backlash
The Expansion Pass for Persona 3 Reload is structured into multiple waves, each offering a unique array of content. The first wave, currently available, includes background music sets from Persona 5 Royal and Persona 4 Golden. Following this, the subsequent waves, scheduled for May and September, will introduce Velvet Room costumes, additional background music, and finally, the remake of Episode Aigis: The Answer.
However, the announcement of the Expansion Pass has been met with considerable backlash from fans. Criticisms primarily revolve around its pricing strategy and the timing of its release. Some fans argue that Persona 3 Reload had already introduced $27 worth of DLC upon its initial release in February, making the additional expense of the Expansion Pass unjustifiable. The discontent among fans is further exacerbated by Atlus's decision to bundle Episode Aigis exclusively with the Expansion Pass, rather than offering it as a standalone purchase option.
Response and What's Next
Atlus says Episode Aigis won't be sold separately when it drops in September, as reported by Push Square . Nope, you'll have to cough up for the $35 Expansion Pass to play it. This isn't the usual way games do DLC, where you can buy expansions on their own. Despite the fuss over the Pass, Persona 3 Reload itself is still a hit, with a whopping 95% approval rating. But fans are still grumbling about the DLC. At launch, Persona 3 Reload had a $27 DLC pack, but if you bought the $100 Digital Premium Edition, you got it for free. Now, with the Expansion Pass, you'll have to shell out another $35 for Episode Aigis.
On another note, a top dog at Persona squashed rumors that Episode Aigis was purposely left out of the main game. Nope, it's actually about halfway done, with delays because of development problems.
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