persona Creator declares Dawn of ‘JRPG 3.0′
TOKYO – Katsura Hashino, the creative force behind the Persona series and recently Metaphor: ReFantazio, believes the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) genre is on the cusp of a meaningful evolution, entering what he terms a “3.0” phase. In a November 14, 2024 interview with 4gamer, Hashino outlined a ancient progression of JRPGs, positioning current titles as “2.0” – more responsive to players but still rooted in established conventions.
Hashino described the genre’s initial phase, “1.0,” as the era of “true classics,” implicitly referencing early titles like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy from the late 1980s. He suggests “3.0” will represent a structural and presentational revolution, and indicated he is actively working to realize this vision.
The announcement follows the 2024 release of Metaphor: ReFantazio, and fuels anticipation for the next major installment in the Persona franchise, currently in progress under Hashino’s direction. While details remain scarce, the timing of the interview – with The Game Awards approaching – has sparked speculation about a potential reveal of elements embodying this “JRPG 3.0″ concept.
