Update: Looks like Nikkei jumped the gun. Sega Sammy Holdings has issued a statement regarding the Nikkei via Inside and it’s own press release outlet, stating otherwise: “Today, according to a media outlet, there is a report that our company is taking over Index’s operations. However, this is not an announcement our company made.”

Update 2: And just like that, it’s now official. PDF of the press release here

According to a report from Japanese news outlet Nikkei, Sega will formally purchase Index for 14 billion yen (US$141 million).

Under this acquisition, Index’s game business will reorganize under Sega and management will be brought under Sega Sammy Holdings (Sega’s parent company).

The question of course on everyone’s mind is, how will this buyout affect Atlus’ fanbase?

Sega is not a welcome name for fans of several franchises due to lack of localization (i.e. Project Diva although we do have Project Diva F for the PS3 on the US side, Valkyria Chronicles, still missing the last game). We’ll have to wait and see if Atlus will still be able to carry on as usual with the change in management.

source Nikkei