Atlus Announces Major Salary Increases for Employees in 2026
Atlus, the acclaimed developer behind the Persona series, has announced significant salary increases for its workforce as part of a broader trend in Japan’s competitive gaming industry. The company revealed that starting from April 2026, it will implement substantial pay raises for both new hires and existing employees. This move follows similar initiatives by other major Japanese game publishers like Konami and Capcom, who have also increased compensation to attract and retain talent in a tight labor market. The announcement comes as the industry faces increasing competition for skilled developers and rising living costs across Japan.
According to the official announcement, Atlus will raise the starting monthly salary for new graduates from 300,000 yen to 330,000 yen starting in April 2026. This represents approximately ¥14,275 in Chinese currency. Additionally, the company will increase the annual base salary for all full-time and contract employees by an average of 15 percent. These adjustments are designed to help employees maintain stable living standards amid external pressures like inflation and rising costs. The company stated that the salary increases aim to “stimulate every employee’s creativity and enhance productivity” while supporting staff through economic challenges.
Beyond salary adjustments, Atlus is also implementing changes to improve working conditions. The company announced it will reduce the monthly fixed overtime hours from 30 to 20 hours, representing a significant reduction in expected work hours. This move is intended to optimize the overall work environment and promote better work-life balance for developers. The combination of higher compensation and reduced overtime reflects a growing industry focus on employee wellbeing and sustainable development practices. These changes come as game studios worldwide face increasing scrutiny over working conditions and crunch culture.
Industry analysts note that Atlus’s decision is influenced by similar policies implemented by its parent company, Sega. In November 2025, Sega enacted comparable salary increases, raising new graduate starting salaries to the same level and providing approximately 10 percent raises for all employees. This suggests a coordinated strategy within the Sega group to remain competitive in talent acquisition. The broader Japanese gaming industry has seen multiple companies implementing similar measures as competition for skilled developers intensifies. While salary increases are becoming more common, Atlus’s comprehensive approach combining pay raises with reduced overtime represents a positive step for industry working standards.
