At the recent Korean gaming conference G-Star 2025, Katsura Hashino, the creative producer and game director at Atlus, presented a talk alongside art director Shigenori Soejima focused on the evolving nature of visual storytelling. They discussed the upcoming JRPG 3.0, which Hashino believes will create a significant shift in the genre’s design and narrative structure. He categorizes the genre into three eras: JRPG 1.0, the classic games; JRPG 2.0, the modern iterations; and now anticipates a new evolution in JRPG 3.0 that promises a deeper and more engaging experience.

Hashino stated, “The ghosts of JRPG past, present, and future could redefine how we perceive storytelling in games.” He looks forward to seeing how influences from global entertainment, including trends from K-Pop, shape this new direction, positing a future where diverse global perspectives coalesce into the genre. This progressive vision aims to enhance player engagement and redefine gameplay experiences.