Atlus U.S.A. Made Over $5 Million in 2010, Credits Demon’s Souls

Atlus’ parent company, Index Holdings, has released the publisher’s financial earnings report, recording profits of 437 million yen ($5.39 million) for the fiscal year, up from a loss of 104 million ($1.2 million) in 2009. The reason, the company says, is a little Playstation 3 sleeper hit called Demon’s Souls.

According to Industry Gamers, Atlus picked up the rights to publish the From Software-developed RPG in North America after Sony declined to do so. Known mostly for its punishing difficulty, positive word-of-mouth in the Western gaming community, as well as favorable critical reception, helped the game’s sales.

Atlus is now hoping that Catherine, the next title in the Shin Megami Tensei series and the company’s first HD multiplatform release, will be a hit as well. It will hit store shelves in Japan on February 17.