Metaphor: ReFantazio And Persona Director Prioritizes Mental Health Over User Feedback

Expert Verified By

He Only Checks User Reactions In Moderation!

Story Highlight
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona director Katsura Hashino has claimed that he prioritizes his mental health over user feedback.
  • He says that constantly looking at user reactions is unhealthy, but he does read feedback in moderation after a game launches.
  • Keiichiro Toyama, the Silent Hill creator, is more keen on following user reactions for his next game, Slitterhead.

It is reasonable to say that the success of the Persona franchise is not a bluff by any means. With the insane success of Metaphor: ReFantazio so far, many have wondered just what secret formula Atlus has used to keep its games so successful. The director of both franchises, Katsura Hashino, might just have the answers we’re all looking for. 

Katsura has clarified that he prioritizes his mental health over the abundant user feedback his projects receive from fans and critics alike.

Why it matters: Katsura Hashino prioritizes his mental health over the diverse user feedback for his projects, which suggests that he does not focus on satisfying every gamer. Instead, the director considers general opinions.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fun JRPG filled with huge servings of activities and engaging stories.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a fun JRPG filled with huge servings of activities and engaging stories.

In an interview with Famitsu, Katsura Hashina gave his two cents about user reactions in a dialogue with Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama. He tries not to be conscious of what gamers think about his works. That does not mean he entirely gives up on the reactions but keeps a safe distance instead. 

When I need to look something up, I do it quickly in one go, because constantly monitoring user reactions isn’t good for my mental health.

-Katsura Hashina

He only checks what everyone has to say in extreme moderation, mostly after a game launches when it is too late to change anything. He also admits to not using social media either.

The Persona franchise is filled with popular games that allegedly embody some of the best JRPG elements.
The Persona franchise features many popular releases that stand out in the JRPG genre.

Keiichiro Toyama, on the flip side, is more keen on actively listening to what gamers want to help develop Slitterhead effectively with Bokeh Game Studio.

Katsura Hashino’s ideology might be the best option for developers to follow for effective releases. But what are your thoughts regarding his approach? Let us know your opinions in the comments below, or join us for a discussion in the official Tech4Gamers forums.

Was our article helpful? 👨‍💻

Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔

Gear Up For Latest News

Get exclusive gaming & tech news before it drops. Sign up today!

Join Our Community

Still having issues? Join the Tech4Gamers Forum for expert help and community support!

Latest News

Join Our Community

104,000FansLike
32,122FollowersFollow

Trending

GTA 6 Online Aiming To Feature 96 Players Per Server, Report Claims

Rockstar insider Fravilys claims that GTA 6 Online may feature up to 96 players on each server instead of the current 32 limit.

Microsoft Reportedly Killing Xbox One Backward Compatibility With Next-Gen Console

According to an insider, Microsoft is reportedly discontinuing Xbox One backward compatibility with the next-gen console, if it is a PC.

Stalker 2 Heading To PS5 Late 2025; PS5 Pro Enhancements Also Confirmed

Stalker 2 has been officially announced for the PS5 after several months of console exclusivity, with plans to launch the game in Fall 2025.

Ex-Naughty Dog Dev Moving To Japan To Form New Studio After Last of Us Multiplayer Cancelled

Following Last of Us Multiplayer title's cancellation, the game director left Naughty Dog and is moving to Japan to form a new studio.

G.SKILL Launches High-Capacity DDR5 Memory Kits Up to 256GB at DDR5-6000

G.SKILL launches DDR5 memory kits up to 256GB DDR5-6000 CL32 and 128GB DDR5-6400 CL36, optimized for AMD EXPO and Intel XMP platforms.