Quote Originally Posted by Vyk View Post
Well, yeah. When you put it like that. That's really not the kind of adult-life I would imagine of a modern video game protagonist lol But again, my biggest problem was being lectured by a father figure

I'd picture something more along the lines of some mid-20's something person renting a house with 4 other people, having an active social/dating life. Some non-boring job that might add to the dynamic of the game. Not to pull too much from P4 but a detective or something would probably work great. Though these days too many modern Japanese games have that sorta thing. But it's at least a gateway idea. Adults are still capable of extra-curricular activities. They were never a huge deal in P4, it was just a chance to meet people. So bowling isn't really a bad one, but it'd be more like game nights, or book clubs, or going to the gym and stuff

It's weird, because I see things the exact opposite as you. I don't think being a teenager adds anything that being adult couldn't also be done. The only real counter-argument I can concede is just "if it's not broke don't fix it". But it could still easily be done and I'd see little reason not to. But to each their own
So basically you want to play a TV sitcom version of adult life.

Honestly I don't see the issue with the father figure of anything I felt it actually added a new dynamic cause lord knows the cast of the first three games got away with murder while the adults twittered about. Of anything the family dynamic of the main character with his uncle and niece is probably one of the best written elements about P4 and if we were to go towards and adult character the best opportunity for expansion of the writing would be to make you a family man. There is no real benefit for making a twenty-something college student or some person living in an apartment that is going to expand the dynamic past what we are already experiencing with the current formula. If we go adult we have to bring the reality of it otherwise they would just be bowing down t silly pressure cause some middle-aged gamers feel ostracized but will be easily pacified by getting the same experience but making the cast all the same age as them. The social link dynamic is flexible and could work on many levels and I do feel an adult cast could work with it but I feel it would bring a very different experience and I feel it would probably turn away some people because it would involve really altering the mechanics and that's a risky move for any game company.

As I said, what does an adult character bring to the story that would make it a better writing experience for the players. In games like FF, it could open up new avenues of character dynamic and bring some fresh ideas to old standbys like love stories or more believability to the characters back story but Persona and Shin Megami Tensei in general has always dealt with a silent protagonist who is the player avatar. The game involve building up who this character is by the players choices but if you think about age doesn't really matter and making them a child vs. and old man would probably get you the same results in the long run. I'm not opposed to aging up the characters, I've just yet to see someone give a good reason why it should be the logical step besides "I'm tired of playing high school kids and want a relatable age group" but doing it for that is just pandering whereas I would prefer the choice be made because they feel it could be made into a powerful narrative.