[quote name='icebeast']For a game that is being localized production value doesn't really matter, the game is already developed so the question is whether the cost to localize is going to be offset by the amount of sales that you will get in the region your releasing in. In that regard I'm fairly sure the Persona games have almost comparable amounts to Tales games of translation and voice work. Also, I don't entirely agree with you on the fact that Persona has low production value, a lot of work went into those games and ATLUS knows exactly how to work with the style they were going for and it shows.[/QUOTE]
Production value does matter. You don't just hire some translators and voice actors and off you go. There's a lot of people on both sides of the Pacific involved in getting the script translated, getting it in the game, reprogramming it, testing to make sure that nothing goes bad, etc. The bigger the game (and especially the more paths you have, if it's open ended), the more work it takes to ensure a good quality game. In terms of work, the Japanese team is tied up on the localization instead of working or designing new product so there's a negative cost there as well.
I also didn't imply that Persona has a low production value. Tales is just much much higher.