Atlus recently published the official Shin Megami Tensei 5 spoiler and media distribution guidelines, which it has done for many of its big titles like Persona 5. And as expected, it's as restrictive as you can get.

You will need this guide if you want to livestream the game or publish video content when the game is out; there's a good chance Atlus will copyright strike your video(s) if you don't adhere to it. As for post-release date content? Just add a spoiler tag to it just to be safe. Even then, Atlus is really, REALLY strict about this sort of thing since its game's stories can surprise even the most hardened of JRPG fans.

The guidelines may have spoilers of in-game locations, so here's your warning.

Scenes You Can't Stream Or Publish (Even Post-Release)

  • From the events after capturing Banko Temple at the end of the story.
  • The endings.
  • The credits.
  • Boss analysis information that can be viewed on the menu screen.

When distributing content that corresponds to story scenes, a notation that clearly conveys that the media will contain story segments should be used, such as "This contains spoilers," even in areas other than the prohibited sections.

Additionally, the distribution of videos and live streams before the game's release date is strictly prohibited.

Distribution Guidelines

  1. Screenshots and videos of this game must be distributed on an online service for personal use.
  2. When delivering content corresponding to the story like event scenes, please clearly indicate that the content includes story, so as to not deprive other customers of their enjoyment.
  3. The distribution of videos, live streams, etc. before the release date is strictly prohibited.

Copyright Notice Request

Posting and delivering content is allowed at the condition that the copyright holder is clarified: ©ATLUS ©SEGA

Precautions

  1. Please do not reuse others' gameplay footage.
  2. Please do not release content that is only music data like BGM for purposes that are only for listening to it.
  3. Please refrain from using sites and services whose browsing experience can be considered for commercial purposes. However, even if secondary revenue is generated from the functions provided by the online service distributing videos and live broadcasts (e.g. YouTube partner program, etc.), that is not considered use for a commercial purpose.
  4. Please do not act in a way to slander a third party, including a specific player.
  5. Please do not post anything illegal, inappropriate, or offensive to public order and morals. This includes:
    1. Any action that interferes with the normal operation of our products or services, or impairs their safety.
    2. Cheating, cracking, unauthorized access, circumvention of technical restrictions, unauthorized modification, or any tool or service that allows this.
  6. If there is a request from us, regardless of the reason, please stop releasing videos immediately. Additionally, we may delete videos and suspend live streams that we deem inappropriate. We may not be able to answer any inquiries regarding the reasons for this, so please be forewarned.
  7. Regarding videos, we do not make any guarantees whatsoever when it comes to infringing the rights of third parties. Additionally, we will not indemnify any damage or conflict with third parties that arise as a result of the distribution of such a video.

And you wonder why Twitch folks and YouTubers hate livestreaming Atlus games. Also, Atlus is keeping true to the mothership series with multiple endings, mostly alluding to the series' Law/Chaos/Neutral pathways & conclusions.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 will be out on Nintendo Switch on 12th November.