A beta version of Sega and Atlus’ role-playing game, Persona 5, from 6 months prior to the game’s Japanese release has been discovered.
YouTuber ScrambledFaz took to Twitter/X to share that someone dumped an early beta version of Persona 5, dating half a year before the Japanese release, on the internet. It contains early versions of songs, models, and more.
The leaked beta build of Persona 5 includes early versions of songs from the game, including “Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There“, “Last Surprise“, and “Rivers in the Desert“. The Twitter/X user mentioned that there was more to share, but they decided not to in order to avoid potential legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Twitter/X user Maple___s2 pointed out that the individual who leaked the beta version of Persona 5 mentioned on Discord that they got a hold of this build from 20 or so discs that were allegedly sold in a private auction. However, as per the leaker, most of the discs were too damaged to be shared online.
Previously, Atlus had announced on Persona Channel that sales of the Persona 5 series, including re-releases and spin-offs, have surpassed 10 million copies worldwide. Besides Persona 5, which sold 3.2 million copies, and its subsequent re-release, Persona 5 Royal, additional titles in the series include spin-offs such as rhythm game Persona 5: Dancing Star Night, action role-playing game Persona 5: Strikers, SRPG Persona 5 Tactica.
Persona 5 is the sixth installment in the Persona series, a sub-series of the Megami Tensei franchise. Developed by Atlus’ P-Studio and released on various platforms between 2016 and 2022, the game is set in modern-day Tokyo and follows a high school student with the pseudonym Joker. As a member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, Joker and fellow students wield their Personas—physical manifestations of their psyche—to battle malevolent forces within a supernatural realm called the Metaverse. The story, which focuses on themes of attaining freedom from modern society’s limitations, draws inspiration from picaresque fiction and rebellious literary characters.