The recent appearance of Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) on SteamDB has ignited a flurry of excitement and speculation among fans, hinting at a possible international release of this highly anticipated gacha game. While P5X has been accessible in select Asian regions since its launch in April of this year, the SteamDB listing has sparked hope for a global PC release.
P5X Playtest Listed on October 15, 2024
On October 15, 2024, a "PERSONA5 THE PHANTOM X Playtest" page surfaced on SteamDB, a comprehensive database for Steam games. This listing suggests that a playtest phase is underway, though it has been accessed by only a handful of users, possibly playtesters identified by the username "pwtest." Despite this development, the playtest remains inaccessible to the public, with the store-page button redirecting users to the Steam 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 loyal following. The demand for an international release, particularly from Western fans, continues to grow. Atlus, SEGA, and Perfect World have hinted at plans for a broader release during an offline event in Shanghai on July 12, 2024. Additionally, SEGA mentioned in their financial report for the fiscal year ending March 2024 that "Future expansion in Japan and global is under consideration." However, specific timelines remain undisclosed.
Despite the anticipation for a Western release, initial developer announcements on Twitter (X) on September 25 and at Tokyo Game Show 2024 primarily focused on the game's upcoming launch in Japan for both mobile and Steam platforms. 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 reticent about the game's international release, leaving fans uncertain about when—or if—the game will extend beyond Japan and other Asian territories. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm surrounding the Japan-only playtest and its prominence at events like Tokyo Game Show 2024 suggests that a global release is more a question of "when" than "if."
In the interim, fans can look forward to P5X's rich lineup of collaborations with other Persona titles, including crossover events with Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Reload, as the game continues to evolve and expand.
For the latest updates on Persona 5: The Phantom X's release, be sure to check out our detailed article below!
