Atlus ‘considering’ post-launch rollback netcode for Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Revamped online a possibility for rerelease

Atlus and Persona Team are currently beavering away at the recently announced rerelease of 2013 fighting title Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. According to recent comments from the developer, however, those expecting rollback netcode for the wild slugger might be in for a little disappointment — at least at the title’s launch.

In a recent interview with Famitsu, Persona Team producer and creative director Kazuhisa Wada spoke of the project to get the acclaimed title back into the fighting game scene, driven by the success of Persona 4 Golden‘s 2020 Steam port. While the new release is likely to feature a fresh round of balance checks and bug fixes, it seems that adding the much-celebrated rollback netcode technology is not top of the priority list, and is only being considered for implementation down the line. Wada notes that this release should be considered the “definitive” edition of Persona 4 Arena.

A surprisingly complex, but fantastically feature-packed fighter, the return of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax to modern gaming platforms will most certainly be celebrated by both Persona and fighting game fans alike. Given the recent implementation of rollback netcode in 2D anime fighters such as Guilty Gear Strive, DNF Duel, The King of Fighters XV, and even The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match, it’s a little odd to see Atlus not immediately join the party.

The idea that rollback functionality may be added “down the line” makes one wonder if Atlus is waiting to see whether the rerelease finds success before they look into network options. If so, that’s an odd decision, as successful netcode at launch will facilitate both a community and a competitive scene, and thus lead to better sales in the long run.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax will launch March 17 on PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Remastered Interview Discusses Original Development [Persona Central]