"Persona 5" fans got all too excited when the game's official website put up a countdown timer, although nobody knows what it's for yet. However, not everyone may not be able to get hold of the game, since its distributor for Europe and the U.S. recently cut ties with Atlus, the game's developer and publisher.

MCV has reported that NIS America has cut ties altogether with the Japanese game developer. NIS America has been responsible for bringing Atlus games to European fans as well to North Amercian fans. This means that Atlus does not have a game publisher for these two continents.

The publication directly contacted NIS America to clear the matter up.

"Around ten days ago, we terminated our alliance with Atlus in Europe and the U.S.," NIS America managing director Takuro Yamashita said. "Atlus became very picky about selecting the European publishing partner after it was bought by Sega. It always cherry picked its EU publishing partner based on who offered the highest minimum guarantee on a title by title basis. I noticed that it was very difficult for NIS America to establish an equal-partnership with Atlus."

The managing director also took the opportunity to thank the game developer, saying, "Atlus and its European games have contributed a lot to the expansion of NIS America in Europe. I would like to express my greatest appreciation to them for that."

NIS America was responsible for bringing Atlus games in Europe, including "Persona 4 Golden," "Etrian Odyssey Untold 2: The Fafnir Knight," and "Persona Q."

"Persona 5" is rumored to be released in Japan on July 8. However, time is running out on the game's official website, as the countdown timer that has been put up will end on May 5. This date may have a significant meaning for the game, but nobody knows what.

"Persona 5" will be available for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Japan, while Western countries will only be able to play it on the PlayStation 4. A summer release date is expected for the game.