Atlus producer Kazushi Wada reiterates the unlikelihood of Persona 3 Portable's female protagonist (FeMC), Kotone Shiomi/Minako Arisato, appearing in Persona 3 Reload. This decision, according to Wada, stems from significant development costs and time constraints.
High Costs and Development Time Prevent FeMC Inclusion
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Wada clarified that while the inclusion of the FeMC was initially considered—even during planning for the post-launch DLC, Episode Aigis - The Answer—the project's scope and budget ultimately ruled it out. The extensive resources required to integrate the FeMC proved insurmountable within the existing timeframe.
Persona 3 Reload, a full remake of the 2006 JRPG, launched in February and features many classic elements. However, the FeMC's absence disappointed many fans. Wada's statement leaves little room for future inclusion: "The more we discussed it, the more unlikely it became," he explained, citing unmanageable development time and costs. Even DLC was deemed infeasible due to the project's current limitations. He expressed regret for dashing fans' hopes, stating that the FeMC's addition is "likely never going to happen."
This confirmation aligns with Wada's previous comments to Famitsu, where he emphasized the significantly greater challenge and cost of adding the FeMC compared to the Episode Aigis DLC. He stated plainly that including her is "unfortunately, not possible."
