Ep.149 – Dance with the Devil: How Megami Tensei Summoned a Franchise

In 1987, Atlus and Namco released Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei, a game born from a Japanese novel about a student who summons demons through his computer. In this episode, we explore how author Aya Nishitani’s fascination with astrology, black magic, and science fiction inspired one of Japan’s most enduring RPG franchises. Our discussion covers Atlus’s early years as a contract developer, the challenges of adapting a dark, mature story for the Famicom, and the innovative demon negotiation and fusion systems that set it apart. We also trace how this experimental title evolved into the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, reshaping RPG storytelling for decades. Join us as we fuse, negotiate, and level up through Megami Tensei on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.