27 September, 2017
RPCS3 is a general PC PS3 emulator, with Persona 5 just being one of the latest (and most likely the last major) game to release for the last generation console.
Atlus, developer and publisher of such fine games as Persona 5, has lobbied to shut down development of a PS3 emulator on the grounds of piracy, specifically related to the previously mentioned RPG. According to the publisher, Persona 5 is not now meant to be played on the PC platform - something that is possible thanks to this emulator - and that a blog post from the RPCS3 team provided specific instructions for "dumping the disc or PSN download". Atlus stated today in a notice on their website that they filed a DMCA claim against the project and its Patreon, whichincluded regular updates about the statusof getting Atlus'game torunon the emulator. But as a safety measure, RPCS3 has removed all reference to Persona 5 on both its Patreon and official webpages. "Their primary reason given being: 'no version of the P5 game should be playable on this platform [PC]' is quite peculiar indeed". "We firmly believe we operate within a legal framework and will continue to work on RPCS3, undeterred".
Following up the takedown notice, ATLUS released a statement clarifying its intentions.
The post opens by explaining that Atlus feels their games are best experienced on the platforms for which they were developed. We don't want their first experiences to be framerate drops, or crashes, or other issues that can crop up in emulation that we have not personally overseen.
Instructions on RPCS3's site recommend dumping your own PlayStation 3 games and software.
ATLUS also recognised that many fans have been clamouring for a PC version of Persona 5, and despite having nothing to announce on that front at this time, it promised that it's well aware of the demand and is listening closely.
Our guess? Atlus is indeed planning to bring Persona 5 on the PC. When their content is made available on formats they didn't intend and sometimes for free, it can undermine their ability to deliver new content by diverting any support from a new audience.
"That said, no further action is planned at the moment".
