Persona 3 Reload's DLC Was Originally Scrapped Before Being Revived by Fan Demand, Dev Says

ign.com:

Atlus has explained why Persona 3 Reload is getting downloadable content a month after it promised the game "offers a complete experience".

Speaking to Famitsu, translated by Persona Central, Persona series general producer Kazuhisa Wada said plans to remake the Episode Aegis expansion have been in consideration since "the first drafts" of Persona 3 Reload but didn't start proper until the game was announced.

This comes despite Wada promising in February 2024 that Atlus is "not considering a revision like with Persona 5 to Persona 5 Royal, which involved significant changes and additions to the original title." Wada added that "fans can rest assured knowing that Persona 3 Reload offers a complete experience."

Persona 3 Reload isn't getting one of these revised editions exactly, but it is getting a $34.99 expansion pass which includes background music from Persona 5 and Persona 4, new costumes, and the aforementioned Episode Aegis expansion.

Wada said the initial ideas for remaking Episode Aegis — which was a 30 hour epilogue added to Persona 3 through an expanded edition called FES — were scrapped "due to various circumstances."

"Even so, deep down, I couldn’t just give up on it, so even while developing the main story I kept searching for ways to make it happen," he continued. "After finally announcing Persona 3 Reload to the world, we received a lot of feedback from fans asking about the follow-up story. It was reassuring for us to share the same feelings, and having that support gave us the push to make it happen. I am truly grateful."

It's unclear exactly when development on the Episode Aegis remake began, though it was certainly before the February 2024 "complete experience" reassurance. A dataminer also found references to the expansion pass in Persona 3 Reload's files. Atlus announced the additional content during the March 6 Xbox Partner Preview event.

Persona 3 Reload arrived February 2 on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X and S, and PC. A Nintendo Switch