Japanese publisher Atlus will increase staff salaries across the board and reduce fixed overtime hours starting April 2026. The Persona developer aims to foster employee creativity and productivity through these changes. Average annual incomes for full-time and contract workers will rise by 15%.
Atlus, known for series such as Persona, Shin Megami Tensei and Metaphor ReFantazio, has detailed plans in a recent press release to improve employee conditions. The initiative focuses on fostering creativity and boosting productivity amid industry challenges like layoffs elsewhere and Japan's rising cost of living. Successful firms including Sega and Capcom have taken similar steps toward staff retention and better pay for experienced workers to speed up game development. The base salary for new graduates will increase from 300,000 yen to 330,000 yen. Full-time and contract employees will see their average annual income grow by 15%. Fixed overtime hours will drop substantially from 30 to 20. These adjustments take effect in April 2026. Atlus stated: 'We will continue to support our employees in maintaining stable lives and create an environment where they can work with greater peace of mind.' The moves contrast with recent global games industry difficulties, highlighting efforts by some Asian developers to prioritise worker welfare.