History VideoGame / ShinMegamiTenseiImagine

''Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE'' is the {{MMORPG}} adaptation of the increasingly popular ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' franchise. Developed by Creator/{{Cave}} (yes, ''[[BulletHell that]]'' Cave), who bought the rights, rather than Creator/{{Atlus}} owners of the franchise as a whole. While originally exclusive to Japan, it was announced in 2008 that Creator/AeriaGames had licensed the game for an English release. The game officially entered open beta on December 30, 2008. The game is Free To Play, but uses the standard Asian [[AllegedlyFreeGame cash shop model.]]

In April 2012, Aeria, who ran the game's servers, handed control over to Atlus Online (now [[http://megaten.marvelous-usa.com Marvelous USA]]). All North American servers were officially closed on February 28, 2014 due to the disbanding of the [=PC=] online division responsible for managing the servers. The Japanese-based servers, including the official site, remained up and running until May 24, 2016, due to the developers being too understaffed to handle player requests.

Now has a complete, open-source server software available on ''[[https://github.com/comphack/comp_hack Github]]'', with the most popular public server being ''[[https://reimagine.online/ SMT RE:Imagine]]''. It is being slowly retranslated from scratch.

* AllegedlyFreeGame: You can survive for free, but success is, as always, at a premium. A great part of the content [[http://imgur.com/a/ZPOyj doesn't need tons of]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5z9JMKOY4o cash shop gear]], but not using it will get you flamed by the {{Stop Having Fun Guy}}s. Certain things (such as Shiva&Vishnu, Daisoujou Eggs, [[BeachEpisode Virtual Beach]], etc) do require a good deal of cash shop gears to be successful, though.

Now has a work-in-progress fan server known as ''[[https://reimagine.online/ SMT RE:Imagine]]'', which, while playable, is being slowly retranslated from scratch.

* [[spoiler:KillTheCutie]]: During one of the late the main acts [[NoExportForYou currently available only in the japanese server]], [[spoiler: [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe Azura is torn in half]]. [[AGodAmI She comes back as Isis]] later, though.]]

* AddressingThePlayer: Snakeman does it everytime you talk to him.

* NoEnding: Ending? How about a middle? Unfortunately, the devs have yet to completely implement a plotline.

** Atlus Online isn't much better. They apparently have no testers at all, and have to have the players test their contents. This was made rather obvious when they tried to fix the PvP bug twice, but players confirmed they failed half an hour after the maintenances. They also needed player confirmation when the bug was actually fixed on the third try.

* ElementalRockPaperScissors: This being a ShinMegamiTensei game, it couldn't be any different, but it's taken UpToEleven, as there are ''21'' different affinities.

* ApocalypseHow: The game is set after the first numbered ''ShinMegamiTensei'' game, though it probably won't catch up to the second.

''Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE'' is the {{MMORPG}} adaptation of the increasingly popular ''ShinMegamiTensei'' franchise. Developed by Creator/{{Cave}} (yes, ''[[BulletHell that]]'' Cave), who bought the rights, rather than Creator/{{Atlus}} owners of the franchise as a whole. While originally exclusive to Japan, it was announced in 2008 that Creator/AeriaGames had licensed the game for an English release. The game officially entered open beta on December 30, 2008. The game is Free To Play, but uses the standard Asian [[AllegedlyFreeGame cash shop model.]]

** Some female outfits, the most [[{{Egregious}} egregious]] example being the [[http://i.imgur.com/16QFKRp.jpg Stealth Suit]].

''Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE'' is the {{MMORPG}} adaptation of the increasingly popular ''ShinMegamiTensei'' franchise. Developed by {{Cave}} (yes, ''[[BulletHell that]]'' Cave), who bought the rights, rather than Creator/{{Atlus}} owners of the franchise as a whole. While originally exclusive to Japan, it was announced in 2008 that Creator/AeriaGames had licensed the game for an English release. The game officially entered open beta on December 30, 2008. The game is Free To Play, but uses the standard Asian [[AllegedlyFreeGame cash shop model.]]

''Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE'' is the {{MMORPG}} adaptation of the increasingly popular ''ShinMegamiTensei'' franchise. Developed by {{Cave}} (yes, ''[[BulletHell that]]'' Cave), who bought the rights, rather than {{Atlus}} owners of the franchise as a whole. While originally exclusive to Japan, it was announced in 2008 that Creator/AeriaGames had licensed the game for an English release. The game officially entered open beta on December 30, 2008. The game is Free To Play, but uses the standard Asian [[AllegedlyFreeGame cash shop model.]]

In April 2012, Aeria, who ran the game's servers, handed control over to Atlus Online (now [[http://megaten.marvelous-usa.com Marvelous USA]]). All North American servers were officially closed on February 28, 2014 due to the disbanding of the [=PC=] online division responsible for managing the servers. Otherwise, the Japanese-based servers are still up and running, which also includes the official site. However, on March 11th 2016, the Japanese servers will close down on May 24th 2016 due to the developers being understaffed to meet with players requests.

In April 2012, Aeria, who ran the game's servers, handed control over to Atlus Online (now [[http://megaten.marvelous-usa.com Marvelous USA]]). All North American servers were officially closed on February 28, 2014 due to the disbanding of the [=PC=] online division responsible for managing the servers. Otherwise, the Japanese-based servers are still up and running, which also includes the official site.

''Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE'' is the {{MMORPG}} adaptation of the increasingly popular ''ShinMegamiTensei'' franchise. Developed by {{Cave}} (yes, ''[[BulletHell that]]'' Cave), who bought the rights, rather than {{Atlus}} owners of the franchise as a whole. While originally exclusive to Japan, it was announced in 2008 that AeriaGames had licensed the game for an English release. The game officially entered open beta on December 30, 2008. The game is Free To Play, but uses the standard Asian [[AllegedlyFreeGame cash shop model.]]

* LoadingScreen: Originally, the game didn't have them, but after the channel unification, specific areas require one. While in the japanese server it usually has some advertising of new items or new content, the US server has [[{{Fanart}} drawings made by players]]. AeriaGames used to have one event to make new ones every 6 months, but apparently Atlus Online isn't going to follow this.

** AeriaGames's Game Masters (and even some Game Sages) would always claim that they [[BlatantLies tested content extensively before implementing]]. One would think "extensive testing" would make them notice that the most popular dungeon (Old Ichigaya Camp Gold) is lacking AI, or that the most rewarding cash run bosses (Shiva & Vishnu, which were being spammed to hell and back at the time) are lacking ''two thirds of their HP'', or that the soulstones they just implemented are not working at all.

* OlympusMons: [[NorseMythology Odin]], [[ClassicalMythology Cerberus]], [[Creator/HPLovecraft Nyarlathotep]], and [[FairyTale Alice]]; to name a few.

The game has several features that make it unique from other MMOs, including a rigid storyline, with well defined characters rather than several unrelated sidequests, a complex combat system that is frequently described as comparable to rock-paper-scissors with a healthy dose of NintendoHard, and the bizarre fact that [[TokyoIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse the entire thing's happening in Tokyo.]]

The game has several features that make it unique from other MMO's, including a rigid storyline, with well defined characters rather than several unrelated sidequests, a complex combat system that is frequently described as comparable to rock-paper-scissors with a healthy dose of NintendoHard, and the bizarre fact that [[TokyoIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse the entire thing's happening in Tokyo.]]

In April 2012, Aeria, who ran the game's servers, handed control over to Atlus Online (now [[http://megaten.marvelous-usa.com Marvelous USA]]). All North American servers were officially closed on February 28, 2014 due to the disbanding of the [=PC=] online division responsible for managing the servers.

In April 2012, Aeria, who ran the game's servers, handed control over to Atlus Online (now [[http://megaten.marvelous-usa.com Marvelous USA]]).

In April 2012, Aeria, who ran the game's servers, handed control over to Atlus Online.

''ShinMegamiTenseiIMAGINE'' is the {{MMORPG}} adaptation of the increasingly popular ''ShinMegamiTensei'' franchise. Developed by {{Cave}} (yes, ''[[BulletHell that]]'' Cave), who bought the rights, rather than {{Atlus}} owners of the franchise as a whole. While originally exclusive to Japan, it was announced in 2008 that AeriaGames had licensed the game for an English release. The game officially entered open beta on December 30, 2008. The game is Free To Play, but uses the standard Asian [[AllegedlyFreeGame cash shop model.]]

** Some female outfits, the most [[{{Egregious}} egregious]] example being the [[http://i.imgur.com/sFDWS.jpg Stealth Suit]].

** Also used during Law Acts.

* AllegedlyFreeGame: You can survive for free, but success is, as always, at a premium.
** Actually, the cash shop in IMAGINE isn't necessary for in-game success. Most items are convenience and the vast majority of players perform very well without touching Aeria Points/Atlus Crowns.
*** As of 2011 & 2012, almost anyone over lvl 70 wears >90% cash shop gear, and most have one or more cash shop weapons. One can obtain most of this gear without paying actual money, but only by buying from other players who do.
** A great part of the content [[http://imgur.com/a/ZPOyj doesn't need tons of]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5z9JMKOY4o cash shop gear]], but not using it will get you flamed by the {{Stop Having Fun Guy}}s. Certain things (such as Shiva&Vishnu, Daisoujou Eggs, [[BeachEpisode Virtual Beach]], etc) do require a good deal of cash shop gears to be successful, though.

* ApocalypseHow: The game is set after the first numbered ''SMT'' game, though it probably won't catch up to the second.

* AwesomeButImpractical: Congrats, you just made a character who can dodge, block, and counter at any moment. Good luck winning any battles with more than one enemy. Also your use in battle is very low, only being slightly better than "TheLoad" because you have a small chance of dying. However, this is a good focus of non-combat characters, as it allows you to level by going into a party, but not a good focus for a fighter.

*** Same thing with the Dimensional Laceration skill, which is pretty much the same as the example above, but it's a melee skill, and costs ''50% of your max HP'' to use.

* CastFromHitPoints: As usual for the [[ShinMegamiTensei SMT]] series, most physical skills cost a percentage of HP instead of MP.

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: The Spin expertise. ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
** With the implementation of channel unification, the game now disconnects players who stay still for too long. Players then found a way for their characters to stay spinning in place constantly to prevent this.

* InUniverseGameClock: Each hour in-game takes 2 minutes in real time. Also, each 12 hours in-game represent one phase of the moon.
** Some stores only sell specific items during a specific moonphase, and some enemies only spawn during a specific hour or moonphase.

** Or at least it used to be. The high popularity of sponsoring Gold Plate runs in Old Ichigaya Camp (to the point that a leeching player who contributes little or nothing besides paying to open the dungeon is one of the accepted and expected party roles), not to mention the ability to get millions of experience in mere minutes in Daisoujo parties, have made it possible to reach Level 90 in less than a week. Much to the chagrin of players who were around before these changes and sank massive amounts of time into getting the same levels.
*** It's back to grinding again with the implementation of Channel Merge (or Channelocalypse as it's known by the players), seeing as at very high levels Ichigaya Gold XP is rather meager, and now there's only one New Moon Daisoujou to share among the entire playerbase. The only other method of getting high amounts of XP is Shiva/Vishnu instances, and Daisoujou Eggs, which are limited anyway to people with very high-powered, high-end gear.

* {{Mons}}: One of the better MMO's that features this as a central concept. Probably due to its roots.
** OlympusMons: [[NorseMythology Odin]], [[ClassicalMythology Cerberus]], [[Creator/HPLovecraft Nyarlathotep]], and [[FairyTale Alice]]; to name a few.

** But they do have an end to the beginning plot, not much but it still some kind of end.
** It's worth noting that the English-language version is way behind the Japanese version as far as content goes.

* RelationshipValues: Contracted demons can range from "Wishes Death on-" to "Linked by Fate with-" towards the player controlling it.
** Demons receive attribute bonuses with high friendship and penalties with low friendship.
** High friendship demons also give you daily quests.
* RunDontWalk: Players cannot walk at all.
** Players do have a walking animation, but you can only see it by moving towards a wall and holding the move forward command.

** [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Your Drill Comp is the Drill Comp that will]] [[OlympusMons capture those who rule heaven (or hell)]].
*** [[http://megaten.sesshou.com/wiki/index.php/Drill_COMP However, the creator's passion can somehow be felt oozing out of the COMP]]

*** Also the Winged Dragon outfit:

* {{Stripperiffic}}: [[http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4272178/MTWiki/Demon/Gaian/assassin.jpg Assassins]]

* UselessUsefulSpell: While generally averted due to this being SMT, it's played hilariously straight with the Traesto spell; every character has it to start with, and it is, as always, your "return to saved spot" spell. But it takes so long to cast that you could probably just walk and get where you're going faster. Traesto Stones, the spell in item form, are instant.
** However, they've released equipment that makes the spell cast instantly. For those who have that equipment, or enhancers who can cast a 'null incantation' spell on themselves, the spell is very useful.