Last year, Koei Tecmo’s game development studio Gust released Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack, the definitive edition of the anime-styled RPG series’ Secret Trilogy, for PC (Steam), PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Back in July, AUTOMATON interviewed Atelier producer Junzo Hosoi about the vastly different demands Western and domestic player bases have for the upcoming games in the series. The response from our readers was huge, and many of the comments and opinions we received suggested that the majority overseas players would also prefer for the Atelier games to be made “as a Japanese game, with the Japanese audience in mind.”
Fast forward to November 2025, AUTOMATON reunited with Hosoi to hear his reaction to overseas players’ feedback, and ask him about his plans on expanding Atelier series’ popularity in the West going forward. Looking back at the previous interview, Hosoi explained that he’s recently been thinking a lot about how to move forward, while going through some trial-and-error. “I am very happy and grateful for all the feedback everyone gave us. Instead of making games specifically for the overseas or for the Japanese audience, what I’m envisioning is an approach to creating works that will be entertaining for our Japanese players, while also positively received overseas,” Hosoi said.
“In recent years, Atelier has slowly become popular among overseas gamers as well. So, we want to be aware of their needs while also treasuring the uniqueness of the Atelier series and the essence of JRPGs,” he clarified. Of course, bearing in mind the needs of overseas users doesn’t mean that the Atelier series will make a departure from its unique Japanese RPG feel and aesthetics, the producer explained – on a conceptual level, Gust is determined to keep the Atelier series as it has always been.
“Yes, the concept will stay the same. We have no intentions to neglect our domestic player base in favor of the overseas audience. However, it’s a fact that in recent years we’ve been achieving greater overseas sales, and getting more returning customers thanks to reviews, both in Japan and internationally. So, for our work to reach even more people going forward, I believe the key lies in making the game interesting at its core. We want to create an experience that’s even more enjoyable than before, so we intend to keep on carefully listening to everyone’s feedback while also working thoroughly on refining the system.”
Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is available for PC (Steam), PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Starting February 10, the bundle went on its first sale, and will be available at up to 20% off until February 24.
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