Waypoint journalist Sayem Ahmed recently sat down with Persona 5 director Katsura Hashino for an interview in which the topic of the game’s characters, particularly its protagonist, naturally arose. As with some of the series’ past installments, the main character is pre-set in Persona 5. Users play as a male exchange student whose mysterious aura and checkered past stir up gossip and a bit of trouble at his new school.

However, one previous franchise addition featured a gender select option. In Persona 3, players could pick a male or a female protagonist to play as. When Ahmed asked Hashino why this isn’t the case in Persona 5, Hashino explained that decision to forgo the option for a female lead was made to ensure other in-game elements could be included.

Hashino continued, referencing Persona 3’s storyline in connection to a female protagonist in comparison to certain plot and story aspects that are central to recent installments, like Persona 4 and Persona 5.

The characters that players do follow are multi-faceted and crafted to evoke sympathy – and do include females. Hashino commented that the most important thing for Persona 5 fans to experience is a connection to each of the characters, male of female. “If they have some personal issues, we want all the people who play the game to understand, and help them. To get that real feeling of a personal relation between the player and character,” Hashino said.

Persona 5 is by no means insensitive in its approach to various important and serious issues; Ahmed mentions the game takes “great care” in handling tough subjects. That being said, it’s understandable that some players may be put off by the missing gender select option despite the game’s positive aspects outside of character customization.

Slated to be a worldwide sales juggernaut after selling 1.5 million copies in the U.S. and Europe just a few days after its April 4 release, Persona 5 doesn’t appear to be having much trouble attracting new fans. However, Atlus recently alienated gamers with a stern announcement that promised to punish streamers who spoil the game. Hopefully, Persona 5’s lack of a female protagonist option won’t further push players away.

Persona 5 is out now on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.

Source: Waypoint