XBox: XBox Info Thread

[eRUPT]

Put all your relevant questions and answers concerning the new PSO coming out for the XBox in here.

[jimmer_jammer]

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/381/381508p1.html thats interesting even though its really old news.

[Kalbelgarion]

Okay, I'll try to cover the basics here:

-This game is a direct port of the GCN version. Just about every gameplay element that is in the GCN version is in the XBOX version.

-The game is being released with the XBOX Starter kit in Japan on 1/16/03. The Japanese have to pay a 600Yen/month fee because they get the game for free.

-The US version is going to be released on 2/25/03, and is selling for only $39.99. Microsoft has not said that there will be a monthly fee in the States. IMHO, because they have stayed quiet this long, I highly doubt that they would slap a fee on a game that's coming out in a few weeks.

-This game is on XBOX Live, so it requires a BB connection and an XBOX Live subscription. It enjoys all the perks of XBOX Live: A universal and user friendly Friends List, a feedback feature to aid Microsoft in banning trouble-makers, and high-speed BB-only network, and the comfort of having the most powerful software company in the world protecting the servers from cheating.

-A voice communicator comes with the $50 XBOX Live Starter kit, and PSO fully supports it. PSO also supports a USB keyboard adaptor, and, of course, the soft-keyboard, word-select, and the picture-chat.

[Denny]

A trailer for the Xbox version has been posted at the TXB forum.

http://forums.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?s=a340814a83a63e8fe014a76dff2d2b69&threadid=169003

[Pants]

i have been waiting for this sticky

[dvs69]

On 2003-01-06 20:32, Kalbelgarion wrote:
Okay, I'll try to cover the basics here:

-This game is a direct port of the GCN version. Just about every gameplay element that is in the GCN version is in the XBOX version.

-The game is being released with the XBOX Starter kit in Japan on 1/16/03. The Japanese have to pay a 600Yen/month fee because they get the game for free.

-The US version is going to be released on 2/25/03, and is selling for only $39.99. Microsoft has not said that there will be a monthly fee in the States. IMHO, because they have stayed quiet this long, I highly doubt that they would slap a fee on a game that's coming out in a few weeks.

-This game is on XBOX Live, so it requires a BB connection and an XBOX Live subscription. It enjoys all the perks of XBOX Live: A universal and user friendly Friends List, a feedback feature to aid Microsoft in banning trouble-makers, and high-speed BB-only network, and the comfort of having the most powerful software company in the world protecting the servers from cheating.

-A voice communicator comes with the $50 XBOX Live Starter kit, and PSO fully supports it. PSO also supports a USB keyboard adaptor, and, of course, the soft-keyboard, word-select, and the picture-chat.



Kalbel you forgot one major thing;
Xbox PSO OWNZ GC PSO!

[Spy]

On 2003-01-07 10:53, dvs69 wrote:

Kalbel you forgot one major thing;
Xbox PSO OWNZ GC PSO!



It's a direct port, but thanks for trying!

[Pants]

does it really have that usb thingy in the box?
did the usb thingy ship with jap pso?
p.s (what does p.s stand for?) and usb thingy is its new name till it gets a real name

[Spy]

On 2003-01-07 10:58, Pants wrote:
does it really have that usb thingy in the box?
did the usb thingy ship with jap pso?
p.s (what does p.s stand for?) and usb thingy is its new name till it gets a real name



What the hell does "jap" stand for?

[Raist]

On 2003-01-07 10:53, dvs69 wrote:
Kalbel you forgot one major thing;
Xbox PSO OWNZ GC PSO!

Where's psow's resident fan boy slapper when you need him? http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

[MongolHunter]

Some extra info that wasn't posted already in this thread:

Xbox version is meant to include one extra character.

Xbox version is able to save all characters on the Hard Drive 12 allowed in total.

Q : Will the Xbox PSO be able to play with the Gamecube PSO?

Q : How will the lobby's work with voice chat?

Q : What are the Japanese, US, Europe release dates?



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: MongolHunter on 2003-01-08 12:41 ]</font>

[Maverynthia]

No PSO game is able to be played with any other...this has been asked a million times....

NO NO NO NO NO!!!! Xboxers will have themselves and the 5 japanese people that own Xboxes to play with ONLY!!!

[Denny]

Can you give the fanboy shit a rest? Sheesh...



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Denny on 2003-01-07 14:23 ]</font>

[WraithAkaMrak]

On 2003-01-07 10:58, Pants wrote:
does it really have that usb thingy in the box?
did the usb thingy ship with jap pso?
p.s (what does p.s stand for?) and usb thingy is its new name till it gets a real name

The USB Keyboard Adapter ships with Xbox Live/PSO in Japan... I'm not sure if it is intended to be bundled with the GAME or with XBL (since the game itself is included in the XBL kit there).

As far as North America, we don't know if we'll get the USB Keyboard Adapter or not. Let's hope so.

[WraithAkaMrak]

On 2003-01-07 12:01, MongolHunter wrote:
Q : Will the Xbox PSO be able to play with the Gamecube PSO?

Q : How will the lobby's work with voice chat?

Q : What are the Japanese, US, Europe release dates?

Q1: No, Xbox PSO will be on Microsoft's servers and won't be able to connect with other versions. (Unless something changes on that front, but it seems unlikely.)

Q2: We assume that you will be able to hear players who are closer to you, and not hear players on the other side of the room. Though they haven't said for sure how it will work.

Q3: Japanese release date is confirmed as January 16. U.S. release date seems to be Feb. 25, though it hasn't been officially confirmed. I haven't heard about the European release date, but I assume it will get there at some point.

[Pants]

What the hell does "jap" stand for?
japanes(i know i did not spell it right)
but call it the USB thingy
and wtf does P.S stand for?

[Riel]

P.S. stands for "Post Scriptum",meaning you add a little commentary that you forgot or think can help better understand the main topic....example:

P.S. please don't turn this sticky into a system bashing,fanboy arguments...you don't like the XBox(probably because you don't own one) and have no plans on getting the XBox version of PSO,stay out of this topic. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[eRUPT]

On 2003-01-08 02:32, Riel wrote:
P.S. stands for "Post Scriptum",meaning you add a little commentary that you forgot or think can help better understand the main topic....example:

P.S. please don't turn this sticky into a system bashing,fanboy arguments...you don't like the XBox(probably because you don't own one) and have no plans on getting the XBox version of PSO,stay out of this topic. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif



Don't worry its not, anyone posting such comments will have their posts deleted by me and receiving a Warning count from me. Oh, so there's your warning guys. Stay on topic, not on opinion.

[Malkavian]

On 2003-01-06 20:32, Kalbelgarion wrote:
Okay, I'll try to cover the basics here:

-The game is being released with the XBOX Starter kit in Japan on 1/16/03. The Japanese have to pay a 600Yen/month fee because they get the game for free.



That`s serious? I think that's some excuse you thought. Is true that the games or demos gift with Xbox Live in US aren't as impressive as PSO but a) they were 2 b)In japan they must give more than in US, if PSO US is free of fee it results to be cheaper than getting it free. c) PSO Episode 1&2 Xbox is distributed by Xbox themselves so Sega or Sonic Team doeasn't care if M$ wants to give it free or not. d) The PSO fee is for Sonic Team/Sega not for Microsoft. Then there's no relation between give the game free and have a fee. Because there are 2 different things that go for 2 different companies.

[Kalbelgarion]

On 2003-01-08 10:48, Malkavian wrote:
c) PSO Episode 1&2 Xbox is distributed by Xbox themselves so Sega or Sonic Team doeasn't care if M$ wants to give it free or not. d) The PSO fee is for Sonic Team/Sega not for Microsoft. Then there's no relation between give the game free and have a fee. Because there are 2 different things that go for 2 different companies.

Sure, Microsoft is running the servers, but Sonic Team would still get a cut of any sales of *their* software. If I purchase this game in the US for $39.99, part of the that money goes to Sega/Sonic Team. In Japan, however, Microsoft and Sonic Team reached an agreement. Microsoft, who would be in charge of the marketing, etc, for this game, will be including it with their XBOX Live Starter Kit. Sonic Team won't see any individual software sales over there. Therefore, they will be allowed to charge a small monthly fee so that they can continuously make money on the deal.

Oh, and conserning a European release date: Since the game would be completed by your launch of XBOX Live (Mid-to-late March, I believe), I'd expect it to be an XBOX Live launch title, or to be released shortly thereafter. Of course, videogame companies try to pretend that Europe doesn't exist, so I may very well be wrong.

[Eltis]

There are 2 things I really want to know:

1) Will the Xbox version support link-up play? In other words, can I locally connect more than one Xbox to play a multiplayer game?

2) Will it allow for customizable soundtracks?

I'd be a happy camper if the first was true, it shouldn't be that difficult to implement but I suppose it would involve a little effort... and I'm sure MS is trying their darndest to promote the Live subscription service, so they may not be all for it either.

As for the latter, no big deal since the music is good and wholly appropriate already. It would just be nice to perhaps play some classic Phantasy Star MP3s in the background to bring back some of the old-school nostalgia.

[Raist]

On 2003-01-08 14:11, Eltis wrote:
1) Will the Xbox version support link-up play? In other words, can I locally connect more than one Xbox to play a multiplayer game?

now that would be truelly kick ass being as the offline multiplayer screens kinda suck. Don't think i've seen that asked before? And i myself have no idea.

[saffaya]

1) Will the Xbox version support link-up play? In other words, can I locally connect more than one Xbox to play a multiplayer game?


Probably not because there are already several PC programs that allow you to play Xbox link-up games over the internet.

Allowing such an option would be detrimental to their HL fees.

[GaMMa]

PSO Xbox is supposed to have a graphics upgrade according to MS.My eyes see the difference http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif.

[Azul_3030]

I hate you but this changes absolutely nothing doesn't it? You still exist and so does Xbox. Live with it.

Now then, if you dont have anything positive to add, please stay outta of Xbox threads if you hate Xbox so much.
System Link would be cool just to bad they'll probaly leave it out cuz it negates the need for HL or XBL for that matter

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Azul_3030 on 2003-01-09 23:38 ]</font>

[Phobos-X]

well im finally starting to buy into the Feb 25th release date for PSOX. Watching G4.com today, and the "Pulse" update thingy comes up with the title "PSO for xbox gets a date" and lo and behold it says 2/25...unless it gets delayed

[ADemiGod]

oh yea i been waiting for the xbox verzion of pso no more typing now i can talk my way to victory. dark falz has no chance once i start talking shit wit my human male ranger.. oh i can hear it now... what dark falz i cant hear u... eat photon bullets bitch... lol im jus talking shit

[Cruzn15]

I HATE TEH XB0X

IT SLAUGHTERED MY LIVESTOCK

...Jeez, grow up. It's just an inanimate object.

[Evil_Dragon]

thats some funny shit...now you can actually talk
while your fighting
*making a 3 hit sword combo on a rapy ass*
*take that you little cute bastard bitch*
(all that while hitting him ,hehehe)

[Tigertron]

Another reason link up play won't be used is b/c can an xbox hande the stress that big servers have when games come online and such. I mean there are servers like that for a reason for some games.

But i am betting We won't have a fee over all the arguments and stuff M$ might feel that a fee would push some ppl over the edge and stop using live since they promised no fees. Besides think about this the reason Sega charges a fee for it's servers is that they also have to physically work on thep when something gets fried whichis expensive to fix. So they charge a fee, so they can work on them. If M$ hosts as servers sega will only have to run the software which is free b/c they designed it. So there shouldn't be a fee, unless some1 is really greedy.

[Rubesahl]

Actually, it is possible for them to charge a monthly fee for the added content, like quests n' such. But even if they do charge for content, in GC version $8.95 is too high of a price for server maintence and a new quest 'here and then' O__o $4 more bucks and it's a mmorpg type of fee. If they do charge monthly in Xbox Live for the 'added content' it shouldn't even surpass Ver.2's and JPN GC PSO's $5 a month =_=; I'd be more willing to accept a price like that or higher if they add something every month. Kinda funny that we're paying in Ver.2 and GC version for stuff that's already on the disk and it's unlocked and edited around with lol Makes it seem a bit like 'unlocked content' rather than 'added content'

[Aceleonhart]

ok no one has asked this, but since the majority of xbl games are multi-regional, will xbox pso be the same?? being from the PAL territory of aus... i certainly hope it is multi-region!

[Capcom]

Xbox Live PSO will be on a MMX processor so expect PC type results but a little faster. Another thing is that the graphics on the Xbox Live PSO are going to be lower quality then the Gamecube's because of graphics processor's purposes.
Gamecube's graphics processor is good at water graphics as Xbox's Nvidia which is good at lightning effects.




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Capcom on 2003-01-12 18:08 ]</font>

[jimmer_jammer]

capcom, to say xbox has worse water is to say you stuck a goat in your anus once. water in video games is basically bump mapping, reflections, and transparencies right? well xbox excels in ever category. look at the water in halo, splinter cell, pdo, and doa3. the best water I have seen in a gc game was either metroid or that jetski game that came out at launch. I have both systems and I am not baised thats just what I think. atari had some kick ass water too...

[MonoxideChild]

As for the US release date, don't expect anything till it is officially announced from either Sega or Microsoft. Remember back in the V.2 days when people swore up and down that this game was going to be released in July, but we didn't get it till the end of September? I sure as hell do.

Also, the Xbox version will have the ability to be patched since it has a hard drive, unlike the GC version.

[RU-486]

I've been waiting too long for this game...

I nearly bought the GC for it... anyway see ya online.

[Cruzn15]

Gamecube's graphics processor is good at water graphics as Xbox's Nvidia which is good at lightning effects.
Lighting, not lightning.

And you're still wrong. The Xbox's graphics processor beats the GameCube's in both, lighting and water effects. You may be thinking that the GameCube has great water physics, but that's only because a major aquatic game (like Wave Race: Blue Storm) hasn't come to the Xbox yet. So, water physics won't matter much in PSO when you never set foot in water and calculate wave physics.

[faceless]

almost all of the xbox live games also support system link... some even support voice over system link!

[Abductor]

...The Xbox's graphics processor beats the GameCube's in both, lighting and water effects...


I've been playing all three systems since launch and I don't know the technical reasons, but I without a doubt have to agree that the special effects look better on GC so far. Whether that's architecture, software, programming, whatever, they have some amazing visual effects at their disposal.

Maybe XBOX ultimately has the better processor but right now, play Metroid and Eternal Darkness and then tell me what is looking more amazing on XBOX.

XBOX is heavy duty and while I don't relish Bill Gates taking over the videogame world, it's already evident who has produced the more powerful machine-- Microsoft.

Microsoft may have the best technology, but Nintendo is still Master of the Art of videogames, IMO.

[Phobos-X]

I've been playing all three systems since launch and I don't know the technical reasons, but I without a doubt have to agree that the special effects look better on GC so far. Whether that's architecture, software, programming, whatever, they have some amazing visual effects at their disposal.


Maybe someone can clear this up, but i remember reading something about the GC being able to render 8 objects while the Xbox can only do 4

(back on topic..)
any info on the offline split screen, mainly does the game suck when 4 players play like i the GC version

[UMMON]

[quote]
On 2003-01-07 12:01, MongolHunter wrote:
Some extra info that wasn't posted already in this thread:

Xbox version is meant to include one extra character.

Is the Xbox REALLY getting a new character? Haven't actaully seen anything offical. That would be the only reason I see to get it, if the character was actually any good.

[EsperFlame]

No..there is not extra character. People keep seeing the picturefor the Voice Masking effect and cause it's in japanese and looks like a cloudy thing(as if hiding something) Everyone assumes it's a hidden character. X-Box PSO isa direct prot from the GCN

What that meansis graphically, gameplay, and everything is identical to the GCN's version.

As for the X-Box US release date I'm betting it gets pushed back to march. I own an X-box but I think I'll stick with my GCN PSO. Also, water effects on GCN are better than X-Box. And X-Box has had a few water based games(Blood Wake) though I can't name them all. One could take the most powerful machine but that doesn't mean a thing if the programming sucks.

Once Microsoft get's a few more games out there I'm sure we'll see a drastic improvement in all graphic effects. But I'd say the same will hold true for GCN. Both system's are still fairly young and have yet to reach their full potential. A good way to compare is take the oldest Playstation game you have then pop in a newer one of the same Series(Try Twisted Metal) You can visably see improvements as the programmers try pushing the systems more and more to their full potential.

So what did we learn here today? Simple....PSO simply rules no matter which system you play it on.

[jimmer_jammer]

yes gc can display 8 textures simutaneously while xbox can display only 4 and then there is ps2 with only 1(haha). However, xbox has 64mb ddr ram while gc only has 24, better drivers, can display 10 X more pps and such... play panzer dragoon orta you will se what I mean. I agree that nintendo makes better artistic choices in there games though. I have every next gen console except ps2. I own metroid and RE for cube, might get ssbm and zelda. But by no means does gc have better graphics at all. Call me baised if you want, but i am not. It's just the truth. I have a question... will an import copy of pso work on my xbox or do I need a mod chip? I need pso now. I dont have the money for the cube version and nobody plays on dc anymore.

[Kent]

On 2003-01-16 15:00, jimmer_jammer wrote:
I have a question... will an import copy of pso work on my xbox or do I need a mod chip? I need pso now. I dont have the money for the cube version and nobody plays on dc anymore.


Import Xbox games need a mod chip to run on US Xboxes (and vice versa). But, any Xbox that logs on to Xbox Live with a mod chip installed (and active) is instantaneously banned from Xbox Live. And the Japanese version of PSO on Xbox needs a monthly fee of 600 Yen to play online.

So it looks like you'll have to wait for your PSO. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

[MilkManX]

Panzer Ortas water effects smoke anything I have seen on the GC. I am not a fanboy,I own all 3 current systems and a Saturn and Neo Geo. I just love games.

[Toasty]

On 2003-01-16 13:32, EsperFlame wrote:
No..there is not extra character. People keep seeing the picturefor the Voice Masking effect and cause it's in japanese and looks like a cloudy thing(as if hiding something) Everyone assumes it's a hidden character. X-Box PSO isa direct prot from the GCN

What that meansis graphically, gameplay, and everything is identical to the GCN's version.

As for the X-Box US release date I'm betting it gets pushed back to march. I own an X-box but I think I'll stick with my GCN PSO. Also, water effects on GCN are better than X-Box. And X-Box has had a few water based games(Blood Wake) though I can't name them all. One could take the most powerful machine but that doesn't mean a thing if the programming sucks.

Once Microsoft get's a few more games out there I'm sure we'll see a drastic improvement in all graphic effects. But I'd say the same will hold true for GCN. Both system's are still fairly young and have yet to reach their full potential. A good way to compare is take the oldest Playstation game you have then pop in a newer one of the same Series(Try Twisted Metal) You can visably see improvements as the programmers try pushing the systems more and more to their full potential.

So what did we learn here today? Simple....PSO simply rules no matter which system you play it on.



Yup, PSO in March. Naka said that by late March we will have it in our callus twitching hands.

Mr. T.

[Kalbelgarion]

On 2003-01-16 23:43, Toasty wrote:
Yup, PSO in March. Naka said that by late March we will have it in our callus twitching hands.


Yup, Feb. 25th for the States, and March for Europe. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

At least we now have a European time frame.

[Darkon]

Hi, I'm not clear on the issue of payment...
If we have XBOX Live!, would we have to pay extra to play PSO?

Thank you in advance...

[Kalbelgarion]

We don't know for certain, yet. But, seeing how the game is to be launched in a matter of weeks, and we haven't heard anything yet, I'd guess that there wouldn't be a fee...but I could be wrong.

[Darkon]

I am hoping you are right! I don't want to pay anymore than what I did, it would mean that I would have to get a job again...It's what I did last time for DC.

[Tigertron]

On 2003-01-16 12:13, Abductor wrote:


...The Xbox's graphics processor beats the GameCube's in both, lighting and water effects...


I've been playing all three systems since launch and I don't know the technical reasons, but I without a doubt have to agree that the special effects look better on GC so far. Whether that's architecture, software, programming, whatever, they have some amazing visual effects at their disposal.

Maybe XBOX ultimately has the better processor but right now, play Metroid and Eternal Darkness and then tell me what is looking more amazing on XBOX.

XBOX is heavy duty and while I don't relish Bill Gates taking over the videogame world, it's already evident who has produced the more powerful machine-- Microsoft.

Microsoft may have the best technology, but Nintendo is still Master of the Art of videogames, IMO.


You may be right on the games you have played but the games other ppl have played might be different. remember that the discs can only hold so much information. so it depends on how much space they waste on graphics or use for gameplay. Plus it depends on how well the programming of the game software was written. But I'm guessing you mainly play 3rd party games on xbox since you seem to be wrong about which is better.

[serialtoon]

On 2003-01-16 15:00, jimmer_jammer wrote:
yes gc can display 8 textures simutaneously while xbox can display only 4 and then there is ps2 with only 1(haha). However, xbox has 64mb ddr ram while gc only has 24, better drivers, can display 10 X more pps and such... play panzer dragoon orta you will se what I mean. I agree that nintendo makes better artistic choices in there games though. I have every next gen console except ps2. I own metroid and RE for cube, might get ssbm and zelda. But by no means does gc have better graphics at all. Call me baised if you want, but i am not. It's just the truth. I have a question... will an import copy of pso work on my xbox or do I need a mod chip? I need pso now. I dont have the money for the cube version and nobody plays on dc anymore.


Thank you for clearing that up for these people. i too own all 3 systems but the PS2 has had problems. Maybe i should stop using it as a coaster,door stop,paper weight,dish,book organizer......and yes the xbox does have superior hardware performance but the GC has me hooked with Metroid. Just choose your system and enjoy is what i say. If you have all 3 then happy gaming to all and if you dont,maybe one day you will be able to enjoy the competition.

[Denny]

Videogames and Computer Entertainment has some new information on the Xbox version of PSO.


PHANTASY STAR GETS SHOTS

Xbox owners in extra features shocker as Sega's online RPG looms in distance.

15:23 Sega has revealed that Xbox owners will be on the receiving end of additional features when Phantasy Star Online releases for Microsoft's console this spring. Sadly, the company refused to elaborate, but the new features will be over and above those found in the GC version - due out in Europe on March 7. The features weren't specified, but expect extra quests and such like. But this can be seen as reasonable compensation for Xbox owners, who do not have the opportunity to take advantage of the GBA link-up feature available to GameCube owners. Swings and, indeed, roundabouts, one might say.

Either way, here are some tasty new shots of the Xbox version to wet your appetites.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com

[Kalbelgarion]

Just sounds like Sonic Team's going to put up some new online quests in a little while, close to the US launch. Or perhaps it's going to be some sort of massive extra to be downloaded.

Either way, it sounds good. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[jimmer_jammer]

Thats nice to read Denny. nice screens too. To bad I never played the gc version to actually compare the graphics. I hope they have like a new charecter to download or some other big thing like that. I really hope they find some way to let people on xbox play that nights game. Even if I have to play it on my tv I will. They should make bill gates as a downloadable charecter. not really though...

[Rubesahl]

Thanks a lot for the screenshots Denny http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif It looks very good. Same as GC if not a bit more crispier. I did notice the shadows were more defined. But again these are just screenshots.

[serialtoon]

Well i guess that PSO Xbox IS gonna charge a monthly fee. Here goes one of MS' crazy schemes to rip ppl off. Next thing you know, your gonna PAY for the XBL software ONLY and then whatever game you play will be charging you a monthly fee. Heres to the end of XBL!

[Rubesahl]

Riiiiight. Anyway, if there is a monthly fee, don't you think it's going to be cheaper if the Xbox Live subscription includes servers, then I supose They would only charge for added content in PSO ^_^

[dvs69]

Like I posted on the main forums. Boid from xbox has claimed he has spoken with M$ representatives and has confirmed a PSO fee, although this game does have a fee considering it is a MMORPG and many people like it, I suspect people paying for this for the xbox live is a great feature for gameplay. Boid has stated that the fee price is not confirmed yet but we will soon find out if boid was correct at all. I talked to numerous representatives on the xbox support chat (changing my email address so they wont know its me all the time http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif) and asked them about this fee a member posted this chat http://home.twcny.rr.com/phantasystar/xbchat.gif about how he talked to one, but when I showed the xbox representatives this link they said, "The agent most likely misunderstood the question." Which makes me believe boid just that much more. If there is a fee, hell im willing to pay it and hopefully it will be cheaper than the GC's initial 8.95. I also hope there will be package deals such as 1 year for $??.?? with a 20-30% off if purchased in bulk. Better start saving my cash because boid has been correct with his source numerous times.

[Phobos-X]

holy dangling monkey nuts! the game looks as clear as the PC version! and to think i bought those Monster Cables for nothin!

[Mike]

On 2003-01-22 00:52, serialtoon wrote:
Well i guess that PSO Xbox IS gonna charge a monthly fee. Here goes one of MS' crazy schemes to rip ppl off. Next thing you know, your gonna PAY for the XBL software ONLY and then whatever game you play will be charging you a monthly fee. Heres to the end of XBL!



You know, that kind of sounds like that new "Phantom" game console that was announced.
Oh well. And the water effects in Morrowind were just awesome. I would sit around all day and look at the water because it was just so cool. Unfortunatly, I haven't seen anything on Gamecube to match it.

[Rubesahl]

Is it just me or are the water effects in those pics less monotonous that the GC's? I'm not critisizing GC btw : P just stating an opinion.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

The problem is nothing has been announced. Boid's (garbage) statements have to be taken with a grain of salt. I doubt his story, never trust anything other than direct statements from the company.

The only sorta, maybe, confirmation I've found is in your account profile on xbox.com, you can pick Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 as your favorite xbox game. A really far cry from a press release, but a ray of hope none the less.

[dvs69]

I sent boid an email, he guarantees that there will be a monthly fee 100%, with that kind of confidence I wouldn't take it too lightly, this guy knows what he is talking about and he works with many m$ reps and junk. Turst me I believe what he says and stand behind him, if there isnt a monthly fee you can all send me hate mail. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[TerribleDeliMeat]

but boid isn't a press release. Nor has he provided anymore information other than "passing along information from a friend that works at Microsoft"

if there's a fee, if there isnt fee...it honestly doesnt matter to me. But if he's so sure there's a fee, why hasnt he provided a price, even if its just an early ballpark figure?

Like I said, there's no official information coming out of any end (Microsoft or Sega), so I'm going to take boid's 100% there's going to be a fee statement as rumor till we get a confirmation from Microsoft or Sega.

Thats just me though and my feelings surrounding unofficially announced products.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-01-26 08:50 ]</font>

[Denny]

I'm just waiting for Microsoft or Sega to release official information on an online fee for the US version of PSO. All of the so called insider information doesn't do anything but cause more confusion.

Just like the insider information that suggested that the Xbox version of PSO was going to be nothing more than a port of the Dreamcast original with voice chatting added....and we all know how that turned out.http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

If the Xbox version has a fee, I'll still give the game a chance. If I can spend nine dollars on the GC version, I sure can give the Xbox version a shot.

[Winston]

Does anyone else find it strange that both Sega and Microsoft have not released any information on the game? With the release date of Feb 25th looming, I would think that at least one of them would have something on their website other than Microsoft's "What is your favorite X-Box game?" question.

[dvs69]

On 2003-01-27 21:08, Winston wrote:
Does anyone else find it strange that both Sega and Microsoft have not released any information on the game? With the release date of Feb 25th looming, I would think that at least one of them would have something on their website other than Microsoft's "What is your favorite X-Box game?" question.


When I talked to numerous reps they told me that news will be posted within the next 2 weeks about, hopefully the release date for the game, and they will be annoucning if there will be a monthyl fee or not, which I believe they will. Check up on http://www.xbox.com for the upcomming news!

[TerribleDeliMeat]

Microsoft (since I think it'll be more of a joint project rather than a Sega-only release like PDO or Crazy Taxi 3) is really cutting close. Typically when the press release is issued, the game has just gone gold (its basically when the master disc all the games are going to be copied from is produced).

Now, dont quote me...but the Feb 25th date seems to be a "good" date. Usually, if the date falls on the 1st of the month or a sunday, its more than likely fake.

But, we've heard various conflicting reports through the pipeline. In my experience (aside from the retail store dates), I've also an "End of March" from an unofficial Sega source, beginning of March from OXM, or even the bizarrely specific March 7th date from an unofficial source close to Naka-san.

[Nidarrock]

Just to add to the list of different magazines, stores and reps listing off possible dates and such, EGM continues to say March is the release month. I would prefer end of Feburary but March isn't too bad. But time will tell.

[serialtoon]

I just read the GMR magazine and it states that there is gonna be online fee's for PSo xbox. On the OXM it also states this EXACTLY!...."Phantasy Star Online will be available sometime in Feb, it all comes complete with all characters in the Gamecube version and the addition of Xbox Communicator. But its also coming with a monthly fee, but i guess your ok with that right?"
--
Thats exactly what it says. So im guessing that the XBOX version is not gonna be on my system.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

uh...what issue of OXM are you reading?

First, I doubt the editors would slip in grammar errors.

Second, the current issue (The "Special Preview Issue" Feb 2003) says this on page 20

Phantasy Star On-LIVE!

The News:
Phantasy Star Online: Episodes I and II is coming to Xbox, in March of this year and features as the title says, Episodes I and II. That means an awful lot of Japanese RPG-ing goodness. It also features full voice support and improved graphics.

Why it's important:
There isn't a Japanese RPG of any note on the horizon except this one and Microsoft Japan's True Fantasy Live Online, and this one looks like a winner. The voice communication makes the clunky keyboard (for the Gamecube version) look ridiculous, and if international support for Live makes it into the package, it might be a nice way to learn a foreign language.

The Official Xbox Magazine take:
Biggest RPG event for Xbox today and one of the most fundamental shifts in the genre to date.


No where is there any mention of a fee. No where anywhere is there an official date.

Lets admit it folks, everything we are saying is to be taken with a grain of salt. Microsoft isn't saying anything. Sega isn't saying anything.

We dont know if there's a fee, hell we dont even know if it is coming to US shores at all!

Have a nice day http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

edit:oops, its winner, not winnder..sorry for any other spelling errors






<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-01-28 19:34 ]</font>

[dvs69]

SERIALTOON WORKS FOR BOID! KILL THEM BOTH FOR RUMORS ALTHOUGH I COMPLETLY GO WITH BOIDS STATEMENT http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

[serialtoon]

First of all Boid in an idiot, and no i don't work for him. Another thing if my "Grammar" was so bad how come you understood it? Quit bashing people and get a life. Just because someone decides to give a statement or opinion you think that its wrongful to do so. I wonder if you live your life the way you talk your shit and give stupid comments about everything.

[dvs69]

On 2003-01-29 16:32, serialtoon wrote:
First of all Boid in an idiot, and no i don't work for him. Another thing if my "Grammar" was so bad how come you understood it? Quit bashing people and get a life. Just because someone decides to give a statement or opinion you think that its wrongful to do so. I wonder if you live your life the way you talk your shit and give stupid comments about everything.


Temper temper child, the only reason we "bash you" is because you posted that you "read" a statement from oxm in which you didn't, and the "direct quote" was of your own opinions. No need to scream with ignorance when you were the one who screwed up first, people these days, and dont leave pathetic posts like that again. Thank you http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[RicoSuave]

http://gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=210292

This is Gamespot's take on it...

First two months free, then $8.95 a month after that.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

Something else interesting I noticed on this...

"An Xbox Live account is required to play Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II both offline and online."

To me, this is either the biggest misprint EVER or presents something interesting. I wonder if Microsoft will be able to moniter your offline activities as well.

I'm still waiting for the official Microsoft release. But my hat off to you again sir.

[dvs69]

Thanks for the site Rico, hopefully thats accurate in a sense that we know there is a monthly fee, I as well hope it is inaccurate so we don't need to pay a full 8.95 like the gamecube. I hope m$ will announce a price change because after the first year of xbl this will get very pricey.

[Kalbelgarion]

That's still a far-cry from a statement from Microsoft, which I'd expect them to do if they were to break their solum promise and deviate from their previously stated and confirmed plans.

[Denny]

The first two months free is cool, but I was hoping for a cheaper monthly fee. The only way I'll be willing to pay it is if I'm having a good time with friends and they keep adding new quest, but I'll probably be playing for at least 5 months.http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[TerribleDeliMeat]

I figure by the time those two months are up...Knights of the Old Republic and Wolfenstein will be nearing release and will probably retire PSOX to shelf...unless Microsoft presents us with a completely cheat free enviroment, with a slew of quests on a fairly regular basis (yes, thats intentionally vague). And if the folks I play with stay or not.


I know its not official Microsoft and Sega, but cheese and rice...its probably the best information I've gotten since we could pre-order it.

[RicoSuave]

On 2003-01-30 18:00, TerribleDeliMeat wrote:
Something else interesting I noticed on this...

"An Xbox Live account is required to play Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II both offline and online."

To me, this is either the biggest misprint EVER or presents something interesting. I wonder if Microsoft will be able to moniter your offline activities as well.

I'm still waiting for the official Microsoft release. But my hat off to you again sir.



Considering that the ONLY way to play it ONLINE is through Live, then it doesn't seem too far fetched. Maybe its part of the effort to stop cheating, who knows (each Live account is tied to a credit card).

Besides, if you buy PSO just to play offline, then my hat's off to you http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[TerribleDeliMeat]

I've noticed that my router registers data flowing into and out of the xbox, even though I don't have my Live! account set up nor a Live! game running.

Its not official, but if Microsoft can moniter your activity via Live! both on and offline...they could, in theory, moniter for certain "changes" to your save files.

An interesting proposition. However, dont count it as fact. We'll still have to get Microsoft/Sega's word first.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-01-30 18:59 ]</font>

[RicoSuave]

On 2003-01-30 18:56, TerribleDeliMeat wrote:
I've noticed that my router registers data flowing into and out of the xbox, even though I don't have my Live! account set up nor a Live! game running.

Its not official, but if Microsoft can moniter your activity via Live! both on and offline...they could, in theory, moniter for certain "changes" to your save files.

An interesting proposition. However, dont count it as fact. We'll still have to get Microsoft/Sega's word first.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-01-30 18:59 ]</font>


It is normal for activity between the router and whatever is connected to it to occur. All it is doing is making sure that the connection still exists between whatever is connectd to it.

Also, there is no way for Microsoft to monitor your HD if your Xbox is turned off. Also, they can't do anything like that either if you are not logged into Live. But once you log on... http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Kalbelgarion]

Microsoft, during the XBOX Live Beta test, valued input from XBOX fans, listened to what they had to say, and corrected various problems and concerns people voiced.

Perhaps now they shall again listen to the gaming public about a matter of utmost importance to XBOX Live.

By now, you all have heard about various rumblings about a possible monthly fee for "Phantasy Star Online: Episode I and II". I encourage every one of you to tell Microsoft what you think about it.

You may contact Microsoft at this address:
http://www.xbox.com/support/contactus.htm

This is the message I just sent to them:




Dear Microsoft,

There have been many recent reports that indicate that an extra fee shall be charged for paying XBOX Live customers to play the upcoming title, "Phantasy Star Online Episode I and II" online. http://www.gamespot.com and other sites are stating that a fee of $8.95/month will be required to play online, on top of the standard XBOX Live fee.

I write this to protest this extrenuous charge, and to inform Microsoft that there is a rather large outcry against this move. If this charge comes to be, legions of potential paying customers will do one or more of three things: They certainly will bypass "Phantasy Star Online Episode I and II" and discourage all others from buying it, they will boycott any and all Sega products, and they may boycott any and all Microsoft XBOX products in protest.

Microsoft will, in the end, LOSE potential dollars by allowing an additional fee to be charged for this game. The additional fee, which a vast, vast majority of customers will refuse to pay, will drive away players and give the XBOX and XBOX Live a black eye from which they shall never recover. Microsoft shall lose the credibility of the gaming public, and shall be forever hurt.

Thus, I strongly urge Microsoft to not allow an additional monthly fee to be charged to play "Phantasy Star Online Episode I and II". In the end, only Microsoft will suffer.

Thank you.



I urge every one of you to send similar messages to them, and to let the voice of the vast, vast majority to be heard.

Please help. You fellows here at PSO-W are probably the most devoted bunch of PSOers...so please send Microsoft a message and tell other potential PSO gamers about this. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[RicoSuave]

Actually, the more I think about it....

Remember back when EVERYONE was saying that the only way to get rid of cheating in PSO was to totally eliminate the OFFLINE mode....

Well, if you have to log into Live even to play the OFFLINE mode, essentially there is no offline mode anymore. You can still play by yourself, but this time the save can be monitored to help prevent cheating.

Just a thought though... If it prevents cheating, then I am all for paying for a HL...

[SlickRick]

I would not take any "news" that Gamestop post as true. They are, in my opinion the biggest rumor spreaders in the gaming industry. Remember it was only a month and a half ago when they told everyone that the Gamecube broadband adapter and PSO Ep 1 and 2 were discontinued.

[dvs69]

Just pre-ordered my PSOX I CANT WAIT TILL IT COMES!!! I have been waiting over 4 months for this game to be released and the date is closing in very slowly. I think it would of been best to just buy it in stores, I don't believe it will sell out but I shouldn't begin to speculate. (considering what happened to xbl) I hope to see many of you on so I can make new friends as I did on the DC version http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[TerribleDeliMeat]

I still think the information should be taken with a grain of salt. It isn't an official press release. However, it is nice to recieve "reasonable" (read: not necessarly reliable) information. Especially since the "unofficial" date is getting ever so closer and Microsoft/Sega is still giving us the shaft. I'm not spouting it off as fact, however the grain I usually take about the potential release and fee is a little bit smaller than it was a day or two ago.

Either way, I'll have no problem dishing out $9 a month for PSOX if the information provided by Gamestop is proven as true and Microsoft can moniter the game off and online. Lets play a game shall we?

$159.99 for Dreamcast with Sonic Adventure and NFL2k (Special JC Penny's Bundle)
$29.99 for a blue VMU
$49.99 for Phantasy Star Online.
$0.00 for keyboard (gift)
$9.99 for gray VMU (sale)
$39.99 for PSO ver.2
$18 for two 90 days Hunter's License

$199.99 for JSRF/Sega GT Xbox bundle
$39.99 for PSOX pre-order
$99.99 for Motorola Cable modem (with a $50 mail in rebate, so technically $50)
$64.99 for my router
$13.76 for a 50 ft piece of Cat5 cable
$39.99 a month for broadband access
$49.92 for Live! kit.

(Note: I left out the cost of my ISP to play PSO on DC because I primarly used ISP for other things, rather than playing games. The reason for getting broadband was for the Xbox however)

Comes to a whopping $816.58. This is the amount I've paid in hopes of a reasonably cheat free PSO. If Microsoft can provide this to me, hell...I'll gladly dish out any fee they ask. I wouldn't mind a fee change, but I sure as hell aren't going to put up a stink about if Microsoft manages to give me a reasonably cheat free PSO. I don't think anyone who has hoped for one would mind the fee. Extra content, quests, etc is just icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned.

[Phobos-X]

man i swear to fukkin BEANS there better be FREQUENT and EXCLUSIVE content for that extra 8.95, not like the "promised" downloads and extras for splinter cell and mech assault

[Nidarrock]

I have to say that now that an Offical statement is out...I really don't know. 60 days free but to have to have Live to play offline is silly. Plus we can not play with players in other regions!!!! If we can not play with other regions then why inforce the same frelling rules????? I hope I read that wrong. More promises from Sega for continued features. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif Granted GC has been pretty good with updates but now I need to talk to some of my GC friends who were thinking about converting. I think I need to sit down and think some more.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

Well, the "official" statement with why a live kit is necessary is because PSOX is supposed to be played with the Live kit in Japan. However, it would have taken time for Microsoft to modify the game, thus delaying it even longer. And Microsoft Japan has True Fantasy rolling out soon and it'll be in competation with PSOX.

However, unofficially...I think its because Microsoft can better control cheating by monitering the game offline and online.

And the region things will be too difficult. The voice communicator software isn't advance enough to translate foreign languages into english (and vice verse).

Oh well. If you arent happy, there's always gamecube.

[Nidarrock]

While I agree with you about the monitoring, I just don't feel it is nessecary to seperate the users. I play MechAssult and i've heard Japanese players on other teams. It's cool, plus I remember playing Challenge mode on the DC with Japanese players, and I thought the word select was still intact on the Xbox version. I'm sorry I'm not trying to argue even though it seems like it. I should have seen it coming right? hehehehe Sometimes hope is evil. I will wait and see. If multiplayer mode runs better than that may tip the scales back to the Xbox version. Is there any word on the import about that? In theory it should but in reality? Too many factors to think about. ahhhhhh

[TerribleDeliMeat]

oh no, i dont consider this an arguement.

Microsoft is also kinda paranoid about region coding. I heard ah king accidently entered a bad address for his JP Live! kit and it wouldnt allow him to create an account (He had to buy a whole new kit I heard).

I have a feeling there will be a way to play with JP gamers somehow. But when your main communication is voice, you may feel differently about playing with non-english (or your native tongue) players after a few weeks.


Its probably also related to the Live! servers (Which I know very little about and refuse to comment on further)


edit: as for the difference between the two...I've heard PSOX has less pop up compared to GCN version. I'm not sure if that is all modes or just multiplayer.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-01-31 11:44 ]</font>

[Mamonaku187]

Afternoon everyone.

I feel quite strongly about the multi-region playability as presented in the Dreamcast version of PSO. I have even gone so far as to send a letter to Microsoft asking that they not seperate Japanese, European, and American players. I think this seperation takes so much away from the game, and I truly hope this feature is preserved.

We'll have to wait and see!

[Omikron]

Hmm, needing XBL to play offline, might be an interesting concept, since you can't log in to Live! with a mdchip turned on...

Though it will feel kinda wierd to play PSO without the "players from all around the world" aspect, it's not really a deterrant (sp?) to me, i mean, it's cool to have but i can live without.

Still no news on the USB adapter for kayboards though?

I know that most would say it's not necessary with the voice chat, but i feel that sometimes i would rather write than talk, and also, i want to be able to communicate when it's late and talking would probably wake up and/or make angry my relatives. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Phobos-X]

If we can not play with other regions then why inforce the same frelling rules?????

language barriers

However, unofficially...I think its because Microsoft can better control cheating by monitering the game offline and online

cant monitor me offline if i disconnect my router!

Hmm, needing XBL to play offline, might be an interesting concept, since you can't log in to Live! with a mdchip turned on...

thats a damn good point! if you have a duped item, or a hacked char, you get banned PERMANENTLY! Your only option is to fatten MS pockets by buying a whole new XBL kit

[dvs69]

http://www.xbox.com/pso2/ official news just out http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[Riel]

Taken from that link the poster above me just mentionned:

"Obtain Your PSO Hunter's License: A Hunter's License is required to play with or against other PSO gamers online. The Hunter's License is free of charge for the first two months and, after that, will carry a service fee of $8.95 per month. If you do not want a license, feel free to enjoy the offline game-play modes."

That's more like it....you wont need XBox Live to play the game offline....that was just wrong.

[Winston]

It states on Xbox.com that you will need a X-box Live! account to play the game offline. What I take from this is that you need X-box live for the inital setup of the game. This would mean that if you don't have a live account you couldn't even play the game. Am I right?

[Lo_Nek]

Man, I just got an XBOX for christmas mainly for LIVE and PSO, since I had PSO on dreamcast but never got the chance to play it online. I found out about this site and started coming to it often, and almost everyday I come there seems to be something new thats going to be wrong with PSOx, and now I hear aboutthe new statement everyone's talking about nad well....its personally making me regret the purchase of my XBOX :

[Bloodberry]

Actually Riel I think you still do. I doubt they'd mention that on the the PSO section either, would be better for a customer not to know, get it, then be pushed into getting live too when they might not have otherwise done.

It's good business! http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[WraithAkaMrak]

... I was waiting for the Xbox version, but now I could just as well get the GC version. It's out, you can play w/ other regions, you don't have to pay for XBL. The only thing it lacks is a keyboard. I really don't care about Xbox's voice chat one way or the other.

[RicoSuave]

On 2003-01-31 16:05, Lo_Nek wrote:
Man, I just got an XBOX for christmas mainly for LIVE and PSO, since I had PSO on dreamcast but never got the chance to play it online. I found out about this site and started coming to it often, and almost everyday I come there seems to be something new thats going to be wrong with PSOx, and now I hear aboutthe new statement everyone's talking about nad well....its personally making me regret the purchase of my XBOX :



Don't worry, a lot of the things said about the xbox version are full of hot air.

The xbox will be the most hacked version? No. Nothing can be as bad as version2 on the DC. Look at xbox live right now. How many games are being hacked? NONE.

You were already going to get live, so the $50 fee was expected. The price for the HL is the same as the GC version. Plus you have to buy the modem for the GC version, so you might as well spend the SAME amount of money and get Live.

[DJ_Monkey]

Wow...I can't believe it. Just when I thought Sonic Team couldn't get any more ignorant, they go ahead and let Microsoft get away with this.

The shit has hit the fan, everyone. Who knows what kind of precedent this could set for future Live games? This better not become the norm, or I will have to defect to the PS2 networks(however fragmented they may be).

Monitoring the game offline...a novel concept, but I don't know if it could really work. The game might as well be online-only in that case. If they expect the Xbox version to sell, they have better push the game back a few months and retool the whole damn thing by creating a new graphics engine, making sure the networks work flawlessly 99.999% of the time, not allowing cheating, and making the game free; because anything less that those measures will not satisfy me(or other players).

On the second hand, I guess I'll buy the GC keyboard and play the GC version until I reach level 200, and then I'll quit PSO forever. This game has been plagued ever since the launch of v1. v1 and v2 had the cheating problem, which the HL concept didn't help. v3 was plagued by server problems, and now v3-x will be totally fucked up in the pricing, making the game a ripoff.

Why, Sega? Why must you do this to us? All we wanted to do was the play a good game without problems. Man, I need a drink...

[Winston]

I just can't belive the bunch of cry babies you guys are. So what if there is a monthly fee! I don't care and I will be playing no matter what. Do you guys really think that the servers run for free? "How can Sega/Microsoft do this to us?" Well, I'll tell you how!

We demand more and more from a game, but expect to pay less and less. Do you stop to think that there are people who have to maintain, monitor, and update the servers each have a family to support? Do you expect them to work for free? Would you work for free? Would you really?

If you don't like the monthly fee then DON'T PLAY THE GAME. Don't even buy it. It is that simple. Sega and/or Microsoft are not going to go bankrupt if you don't buy the game and pay the monthly fee. There are plenty of us out there that don't mind paying to play.

Think about this....... How much money do you spend to go watch a movie at a theater? I bet is is a lot more than what the monthly fee is to play this game. And for what? You are entertained for 3 breif hours or less. For less than that you can enjoy this game for a month.

Think about these points before you start to bash Microsoft and Sega, and remember that no company that I know of gives away products for free and stays in business.

Ok, my rant is over now (let the threats to me start).

[WraithAkaMrak]

My problem with it is that the Live service offers me practically nothing. I'm not really interested in any Live games at this point. So what happens in 12 months? Will we be paying $50 for another year? That would make the monthly cost $13.12. Will we be paying $10/mo for Live? That would make the cost $18.95. They haven't told us what the price will be. So for me, why should I get the Xbox version if the GC version's available? It offers no exclusive quests, characters, levels, or graphics upgrade. I want to use a keyboard, and it doesn't seem that the U.S. version will offer the adapter at this point.

Live had held the promise of covering all games (though there were statements after release). And now, PSO's the first one to break that belief.

I was going to get the Xbox version, but now it offers nothing the GC version doesn't, and costs the same, if not more.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: WraithAkaMrak on 2003-02-01 09:42 ]</font>

[micah1500]

pso on xbox will be free for 2 months that sux i dont have no dam cc and there is a new class go yo the x-box site all the info is there will sega make cards so u dont have 2 use cc like the sims online you can buy pre pay cards

[dvs69]

On 2003-02-01 05:35, Winston wrote:
I just can't belive the bunch of cry babies you guys are. So what if there is a monthly fee! I don't care and I will be playing no matter what. Do you guys really think that the servers run for free? "How can Sega/Microsoft do this to us?" Well, I'll tell you how!

We demand more and more from a game, but expect to pay less and less. Do you stop to think that there are people who have to maintain, monitor, and update the servers each have a family to support? Do you expect them to work for free? Would you work for free? Would you really?

If you don't like the monthly fee then DON'T PLAY THE GAME. Don't even buy it. It is that simple. Sega and/or Microsoft are not going to go bankrupt if you don't buy the game and pay the monthly fee. There are plenty of us out there that don't mind paying to play.

Think about this....... How much money do you spend to go watch a movie at a theater? I bet is is a lot more than what the monthly fee is to play this game. And for what? You are entertained for 3 breif hours or less. For less than that you can enjoy this game for a month.

Think about these points before you start to bash Microsoft and Sega, and remember that no company that I know of gives away products for free and stays in business.

Ok, my rant is over now (let the threats to me start).


I agree 100%, if you guys don't want to pay, petition all you want to M$ they won't stop the fee just because some people sign a digital signature on some website. You just have to live with it. I work, I can easily manage $8.95 a month, it's like sacrificing 2 Jack in the Box meals. It really isn't that much if you work and not rely on your lunch money. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

[WraithAkaMrak]

On 2003-02-01 11:02, micah1500 wrote:
pso on xbox will be free for 2 months that sux i dont have no dam cc and there is a new class go yo the x-box site all the info is there will sega make cards so u dont have 2 use cc like the sims online you can buy pre pay cardsFor info on this, please see this article (http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2002/20021011l.gif).


And also, regarding the fee, I thought that this $8.95 went to Sega, not Microsoft. And if all this $8.95 covers is new quests, then I don't really see the need. I know, servers and maintenance cost money. But the servers are all on Microsoft's end, correct?

[Denny]

Microsoft is hosting the lobbies while Sega runs the game on their own servers (that's the latest bit of gossip going around the net). Since the "Live" code is mandatory now, Microsoft should make the PSO an Xbox Live pack in game. For owners that already own Xbox Live, they should sell the game at a further discounted cost (19.99 - 24.99).

I think it would have been better for Sega to try to sell as many copies of PSO as possible on the Xbox and having no monthly fee might have sparked more interest in the game, but since they're really banking on their subscription fees they should find a way to get the owners of Xbox Live to try the game. A pack in, mail in offer (like Twisted Metal Black), or a reduced cost might spark more interest.





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Denny on 2003-02-01 14:48 ]</font>

[Castoth]

On 2003-02-01 05:35, Winston wrote:
I just can't belive the bunch of cry babies you guys are. So what if there is a monthly fee! I don't care and I will be playing no matter what. Do you guys really think that the servers run for free? "How can Sega/Microsoft do this to us?" Well, I'll tell you how!

We demand more and more from a game, but expect to pay less and less. Do you stop to think that there are people who have to maintain, monitor, and update the servers each have a family to support? Do you expect them to work for free? Would you work for free? Would you really?

If you don't like the monthly fee then DON'T PLAY THE GAME. Don't even buy it. It is that simple. Sega and/or Microsoft are not going to go bankrupt if you don't buy the game and pay the monthly fee. There are plenty of us out there that don't mind paying to play.

Think about this....... How much money do you spend to go watch a movie at a theater? I bet is is a lot more than what the monthly fee is to play this game. And for what? You are entertained for 3 breif hours or less. For less than that you can enjoy this game for a month.

Think about these points before you start to bash Microsoft and Sega, and remember that no company that I know of gives away products for free and stays in business.

Ok, my rant is over now (let the threats to me start).



It's more about the principle of paying more and more for a service that continues to be severely lacking than it is the actual money. Think about it. This game is now being charged MMORPG prices per month and the amount of quality and depth compared between PSO and that genre is vast. In addition, we still get shoddy treatment in the form of few quest updates, shoddy cheat prevention and patching for that $9 a month. Only reason some people continue to keep playing the game is because the game itself is incredibly fun and addicting but that can only last for so long.

In other words, most of us can afford a maximum of $19 a month price to play this game within a year on XBox but we aren't willing to pay it on other grounds. GC PSO may have the same shoddy service still but at least it will be cheaper in the long run.

[MilkManX]

60 days free is cool. By that time I will probably have PSO burnout. After that I can cancel my HL and if I get the urge I can pay 8.95 again. At least I dont need $120.00 bucks for a crappy keyboard that had tiny keys. Man that thing was junk.

[Castoth]

And most of the people griping are probably the hardcore PSO players. That is, those players that might still be playing it after one year.

[andrewfee]

i'm definately still getting this for the xbox, even if it has a fee, but there's still a chance that europe wont, as they've never had a fee for PSO, i just wish it was getting released sooner over here, and that i hadnt sold my DC



btw, i've been here since the US launch, its just been a long time since visiting the forums, so i had forgotten my username/password

[Lord_Maroduer]

Well what I have heard from http://www.xbox-evolved.com there will be a extra char that you could download and a extra stage (SWAMP).
And the XBOX version got 2 months free.
Sonic Tem must be on Microsofts pay-roll.

[Mazarin]

Ugh.

Why are they fucking this up? I'll still probably buy it, but w/ this abundance of foul news, I'm no where near as excited as I was a week ago.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/cyrus/images/crap.jpg

[Miu]

I was really excited about this game, but I probably won't get it now. I don't mind the monthly fee, the regular X-Box Live fee super cheap anyways, it's just that you can only play against players in North America. I was hoping I could play against players from Europe and Japan.

[Castoth]

Odds are GC PSO will get that extra character and stage through an expansion disc eventually anyway so it's not a huge loss for them (just cost more).

[Lo_Nek]

I wish they'd jsut not release it so soon and make it the ebst game it should be! Isn't taht the way things rae supposed to be!!!

[Lo_Nek]

I wish they'd just not release it so soon and make it the best game it should be! Isn't that the way things are supposed to be!!!

[Mazarin]

On 2003-02-02 18:07, Lo_Nek wrote:
I wish they'd just not release it so soon and make it the best game it should be! Isn't that the way things are supposed to be!!!



Tell that to Team Ninja and Microsoft http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

[JordanLund]

I just set this up... Anyone interested in helping to spread the word?

http://www.petitiononline.com/nbpso/petition.html

To: Sega, Inc. and Microsoft, Inc.
We the undersigned recognize that large companies pretty much ignore online petitions. That being said, this is to inform you that we are NOT going to purchase the game called "Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II" for the Microsoft Xbox.

The purpose of this petition is not to get you to change your mind, it's clear you don't care about your customer base. It's to let you know why a game that did so well on the Dreamcast and Gamecube ended up with such pitiful sales on the Xbox.

Point 1) The Xbox Live requirement. Speaking solely for myself, I don't have broadband internet access at home. Given my profession I don't need it. While previous versions of the game could be enjoyed without an internet connection it is not possible to play the Xbox version without an Xbox Live Gamertag and you have to have a broadband internet connection to enable that.

Point 2) The $8.95 a month fee. Yes, it's by and large a nominal fee. The problem is that your users aren't getting anything for it. "Server Maintenance", yes, of course. The same maintenance that happens on Diablo and Diablo II servers at no additional charge? The same servers that aren't being used once you join a 4-player peer to peer game? "Downloadable quests", you mean the same quests that were exclusive to the Japanese market on the Dreamcast and Gamecube and never saw the light of day in the United States? If you're going to charge a monthly fee then you must provide a monthly benefit for paying the fee otherwise it looks like you're just trying to milk your audience.

In conclusion I want to reiterate that we no longer care about trying to change your mind. That's as irrelevant to attempt as apparently our opinions are to your organizational structure. But when the game sells poorly we would like to direct you to this petition as the reason why.

To other companies considering supporting Xbox Live, don't let the failure of "Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II" frighten you. To have a successful title all you have to do is not take your potential customer base for granted.

- Jordan C. Lund
jordanlund@yahoo.com
+ the Undersigned

[Rubesahl]

Actually, you can use 56k to sign up to Xbox Live. You just need to use a network setup and use ICS with your PC and the Xbox will use the 56k connection. I signed up like that when I first got it since it wouldn't connect with my ISP but that was fixed like a week after I got XBL.

As for the fee for PSO. What happened is that Microsoft made it very clear that one of the best features of Xbox Live is that it's easier to manage fees between games since it's all in one fee. What we need to have in mind is that PSO isn't P2P. Yes when you make a team it seems like but it's still on their servers. What Sonicteam is doing is charging the same price for the GC version. This is mainly why

Now what I think MS is assuming is that if you're getting PSOx then you most probably have XBL already. So there are different situations. For the people who want PSO only as their online game for Xbox need to get XBL. The thing is that this would most likely annoy players but people should inderstand that this is only part to prevent cheating and have better control over banned people.

What we need to learn here is that sometimes we can't have everything the way we want it. We'll just have to adjust that's all

[saffaya]

What we need to have in mind is that PSO isn't P2P. Yes when you make a team it seems like but it's still on their servers.

Err .. no.
When you make a team and play on Ragol, the DC sends directly to the other DC the information about your character.(your actions, your moves and so on) (the network protocol hasn't been changed since DC, so replace with your fav PSO console)
The Server only monitors the chat for censored words and items drops.
A workload that is truly ridiculous and warrant s in no way a $9/month charge.
The HL fee is $5/month in Japan btw (and PSO is free with Live kit). Wonder how comes the Us territory gets a 80% price hike on the HL fee ?

I'm against the HL fee but not for everyone else's reasons. I would prefer to pay on a per feature basis.
That means pay for getting access to new quest, new char, etc ..
That way, we will finally exercise our voice as customers.
But a fixed monthly fee is like write a blank check to ST to produce as few and as shitty things they like.

[Tulathis]

I for one support the broadband only requirement to play PSO on XBOX. This is the only way to allow the voice chat feature the XBOX version includes. Although this is the only new feature included in the XBOX version (besides the kb port), I think it will really increase the enjoyment of the game. If you don't have broadband there are a number of other options available to you.

[SilencePSO]

That online petition is pointless, you will make your point by not buying the game, Sega and MS will never even read that petition.

And you can get your Xbox online with 56k, but you cannot play.

[dvs69]

Petitions don't work, get it through your thick heads. My god I can't believe people even bother to spend time making them. XBOX PSO IS GOING TO be awesome. I can't wait! for the rest of you who whine and pout about fee this, broadband that, just deal with it, if you dont run in the requirements then dont play.

[SilencePSO]

Well said dvs69, I'm sick of all the complaining, especially about the 8.95 a month. That's what GC pays, so why wouldn't we have to pay the same? I'm also sick of people blameing MS for it, it's Sega charging not MS! At least MS got them to give us 2 months free and to charge less for the game so it's like 3 months free!

I for one don't care how much people complain about it, I'm gonna be to busy playing PSO! http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[Nidarrock]

Here is a thought. Back in October Gamespot had an interview with Yuji Naka. In it he said Microsoft had the finished game. Does that mean they knew back then that you would be required to have Live to play offline? If so then Microsoft chose to leave that in, and then claiming(in the pricing press release) it would delay the game if they were to change it. I'm guessing 4 or so months wasn't enough time to change it.

It was just a thought. I will most likely be getting the Xbox version anyway. We all should have known there was going to be a fee, but some of us hoped there wouldn't be. Time to suck up our pride again, like many of us did for ver.2, and get your version of choice.

I think most of that made sense.

[Axispoint]

On 2003-02-01 05:35, Winston wrote:
Think about this....... How much money do you spend to go watch a movie at a theater? I bet is is a lot more than what the monthly fee is to play this game.

6.00 bucks to go the movies here in my area (west-central Missouri). Less than a HL.

But anyway, not that I'm planning to get an XBox, but what are they going to do about people who cuss over the voice chat deal? And will there be a time limit on what you can say (I'm thinking of SOCOM: US Navy Seals when I think of that...anyone know if PSOX has the same limitations of that game in terms of voice?).

[Omikron]

No, the voice chat on all XBL games is a fully open channel, you don't have a time limit and you don't need to press anything to send.

[Zippo]

Im not sure if this is my first post...it most likely is... Ive been coming to this site since the DC version (Man that ID Caculator was awesome...) never really the forms though... Well as for what i think, as far as the fee goes i have no problem with paying it because i love this game. and no matter what people say (or how many petitions people make) i doubt microsoft is going to change anything. I do hope, though, that microsoft is going to at least sell the keyboard (i mean if i could do it with the DC...you know toggling between the keyboard in your lap and running around killing rappy's....) because i personally liked that better than talking live because judging by LIVE so far there are so many cussing rednecks (I can say that...i am one...well not a cussing one) if i heard another person say "I F---ed him up with my mech!" I am going to throw my XBox out the window. Well...maybe just mechassult.

[Phobos-X]

personally, profanity on XBL doesnt really bother me...profanity at all to be honest. wether visually or audioally, ITS STILL PROFANITY! and about the Ms selling the KB, i thought any USB KB would work with the KB adapter included with PSOX?

[Nidarrock]

I thought the adaptor was included with the Japanese version of PSOX. There is a small hands-on preview on gamespot about PSOX. They say they are working the kinks out of the game. Also that it's graphically "on par" with the GC version. About the keyboard:

"As far as a real keyboard goes, Microsoft representatives would only say that a solution is currently being worked on, but it's currently not known if it will be available at launch."

At least something is being done. Here's the link for the whole article:

http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2910415,00.html

[Exile]

yeah i played a enough of mechassult to get sick of it and quit. And since its a really competative game, you got people who are going for the personal remarks just to be an ass to you.

However what was nice, is that i would just turn off my speech and just listen to what they say. Sometimes i would get a foul mouth myself, but i like to just keep it to myself or anyone in the room at the time =).

best off all if i dont like the shit people are saying to me, i just turn off the sound and then i dont have to deal with their remarks.
Or better yet i report them to xbox live and they take care of it.. send them a warning.. or whatever they do. I know enough warning can get you in trouble with M$. And besides if one person is being an ass on mechassult then the 7 of us would just gang up on them and rip them apart, especially in cases where the person was being racist.

in the co-op of pso, i think there will be alot less fighting unless someone wants to be an ass and demand rares and stuff. and besides if the people in the game dont want to work together, then you can always go to another game with people who do.

pso for xbox is gonna be great, i can barely wait.

[Omikron]

"As far as a real keyboard goes, Microsoft representatives would only say that a solution is currently being worked on, but it's currently not known if it will be available at launch."

At least something is being done.

Well, as i said in another thread, it's 100% sure sure they'll release a keyboard or an adapter for USB keyboards because of other games that will require it (MMORPGs like Star Wars Galaxies and True Fantasy Live Online), so the real question is not "will they release a keyboard/adapter?" but "Will they release it in time for PSO?".

Whatever happens we'll get a kb, we might have to wait a while for it though...

[Nidarrock]

Exactly. I know by playing Mechassult that the headset irritates my ears(I wear glasses) after a while. So a keyboard would be a nice way to still converse. Also then players can still say their favorites lines,(ex: "Eat Pneguin s**t!" during a PB) and not sound too foolish.

EDIT: By the looks of things I WILL be getting PSO on Xbox.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nidarrock on 2003-02-07 12:54 ]</font>

[jimmer_jammer]

I am not sure if this was posted yet but ign put up a bunch of videos. http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaPage.jsp?channel_id=73&object_id=482115&adtag=network=ign&site=xboxtype%3Dpartnerviewer%26pagetype%3Darticle&page_title=Phantasy%20Star%20Online%20Episode%20I&II

[gallaugher]

It's almost $10 to see a movie where I live.

[Starseed]

Microsoft announces Phantasy Star Online details

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sega's pricing structure revealed and more new info on how PSO Xbox will work.

Microsoft has announced the pricing structure set by Sega's Sonic Team for the upcoming Xbox version of Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II. The game will retail for a slightly discounted price of $39.99 and will come with 60 days of free online play. Past the 60-day trial period, Sega has decided that players wishing to play the game over Xbox Live will be charged $8.95 per month. This money will go towards funding Sonic Team's continued support of the game via downloadable quests and the like. The quests will become available on the same schedule as the currently available GameCube version.

Phantasy Star Online can be played in its offline mode, but the game will still require you to have a valid Xbox Live account to play the game in any form. The reasoning behind this is one of timing. The Japanese version of the game was a pack-in with Xbox Live, where requiring an Xbox Live sign-up made sense. In order to get the game over here quickly, Microsoft has opted not to remove this limitation. Citing security reasons, Microsoft also announced that the North American version of the game will not connect to players from other regions.
The game will feature voice support via the Xbox Live headset. In lobbies, the headset will allow you to chat with the seven players closest to you. Those seven players will be denoted by a speaker icon, which will float above their heads. When in a game, you can play and chat with up to three other players.

Microsoft currently expects the Xbox version of Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II to ship to retail stores on or around February 25, putting it on most store shelves within two to seven days after that date.


--Content Courtesy of GameSpot

[Fireball]

PSO is free to play? i hate pay 8.95 per for game cube. is x-box free?

[Phobos-X]

On 2003-02-08 18:28, Fireball wrote:
PSO is free to play? i hate pay 8.95 per for game cube. is x-box free?



its free for the first two months, after that it goes to the current gamecube rate of 8.95 a month, on top of your yearly XBL fee of 49.95

[Nidarrock]

Here is an almost silly question. To play multiplayer you only need the one Xbox Live account right? Similar to going online with 2 players in Mechassult(you have a guest on one account).

[Winston]

I just checked ebgames.com and the ship date for PSO on X-Box has slipped a week. The shipping date is now showing 3/4/03 (the day after my b-day). Also, I noted that there is a pre-order for X-Box live for 2/13/03. It looks like the box art is different, but could they have changed the game demos included? I guess we will have to wait and see.

[abzorba]

just thought i'd chime in to let you all know that i live in japan (i'm american) and have a japanese XBOX. (I was one of about 8 people to buy XBL on launch day in japan... i saw NO advertisements whatsoever) (that being said, at peak times I see about 800 people or so on PSOX here in Japan)

the starter kit for xbox live was about 45USD and came with PSO and a USB keyboard adapter(sits right under the headset port and is discrete).
I pay 600yen a month (about 4.50USD) and have been happy with the quality.

something interesting for you is that I've played a game or two with someone from M$ with a gamertag like 'microsoftTest4' and aside from a slight delay on the voice chat, everything was smooth as silk. He said he was in Seattle, so I know that the two networks are compatible.

I must admit that I was hopeful to be able to play with US people (since it'd be nice to speak english and play sometimes) and was a bit dissapointed to read that the US network wouldn't be connected to the Japan one, etc. Especially since my experience playing with the dude in Seattle went just fine.


Oh as far as in-game stuff goes, by clicking the right trigger in the lobby, I am able to scroll through four different name configs above players- one of which shows up like: Rinn 043E (Rinn being my character name, 043 level and the 'E' denoting that my console is set to ENGLISH... for Japanese it shows up as 'XXXXX 043J')

voice-chat is super smooth and the keyboard is nice to have, as well.

if you have any other questions, fire away and i'll try to answer.
cheers,
abzorba

[Phobos-X]

sup abzorba? i have a question for ya, what exactly do the black and white buttons do? toggle the voice masking or sumthin else?

[abzorba]

black and white buttons do nothing but open the menu (both do the same).

it's too bad, there are so many button options they could have used, but they seem to have limited them to the same functions as the other versions.

abzz

[Nidarrock]

If you could, how is multiplayer mode? Is it better or worse than what has been said about the GC version. Slowdown, pop-up,ect.. This is one of the determining factors if I should get Xbox PSO. My wife and I love PSO and want to finally be able to play together. Thanks.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

If I could just use abzorba's experience to benefit an old theory i've been kicking around...

Maybe this ''security issues'' doesn't actually deal with the gameplay, but rather with importing. Since Microsoft/Sega/Europe Distributor have yet to release PSOX in the respective regions[meaning there isn't a version of the game for all 3 major regions], forcing people to play the game on specific servers sorta deters individuals who thought about importing.

For example, lets say I'm interested in importing the JP version of the game [while living in the states]. Now, we'll have to keep a couple of facts in mind, we'll assume I can actually play imports and be on Live without getting banned. Just prior to importing, I learn I can only play with Japanese players. Since i dont speak Japanese and using the sentence building tool is violently slow, as a reasonable person...I'd probably take a pass on the game in favor of waiting for the domestic release about a month later.

After the game is released in all the major regions [US,JP,EU], maybe Microsoft will open the gates so to speak. If what abzorba says is true about playing with testers, it would appear possible at sometime. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[saffaya]

if you have any other questions, fire away and i'll try to answer.
cheers,
abzorba

Do you receive any mail or invoice at the address you wrote in Xbox live when registering ?

[Kalbelgarion]

I have a question: How does Simple Mail work? Is it the same as the DC version, where everything must be typed? Therefore, if the USB adaptor isn't released in the States at PSO's Launch, will we be forced to use the on-screen keyboard to mail eachother?

[Phobos-X]

On 2003-02-12 07:03, abzorba wrote:
black and white buttons do nothing but open the menu (both do the same).

it's too bad, there are so many button options they could have used, but they seem to have limited them to the same functions as the other versions.

abzz



bah, that figures..oh well... thanks for the answer tho. i was hoping for more action shortcuts, or at least to toggle the voice masking, but ST are idiots...

[ALPHAM0F0]

Two questions.

whats the symbol chat like? (if its even in there)

And do you have to press a button in order to talk? (like in ghost recon)

[abzorba]

On 2003-02-12 08:00, Nidarrock wrote:
If you could, how is multiplayer mode? Is it better or worse than what has been said about the GC version. Slowdown, pop-up,ect.. This is one of the determining factors if I should get Xbox PSO. My wife and I love PSO and want to finally be able to play together. Thanks.



Sorry bro, haven't checked out multiplayer mode. haven't had the opportunity to try with anyone else. I'll give it a try soon and try to get back to you.


On 2003-02-12 08:34, TerribleDeliMeat wrote:

After the game is released in all the major regions [US,JP,EU], maybe Microsoft will open the gates so to speak. If what abzorba says is true about playing with testers, it would appear possible at sometime. I guess we'll have to wait and see.




I agree with Terrible on this last bit about a subsequent re-thinking of inter-continental networks at a later time.. can just keep fingers crossed for that one.


On 2003-02-12 11:41, saffaya wrote:

Do you receive any mail or invoice at the address you wrote in Xbox live when registering ?



saffaya, I did get two mails at the same time approx. one week from my registration date.

first was welcoming me to the xbox live service and giving the details about the yearly cost (after the first free year, etc.)

second...well i'll just paste it for you:

QUOTE:

Welcome to Phantasy Star Online Hunters License for Xbox Live?!

Your Premium Service was activated on Thursday, January 16, 2003. It will continue until such time as you cancel it.

The first 1 months are a free trial period; if you cancel your subscription during the first 1 months of the service, there will be no charge to your account. Please refer to the Terms of Use at http://www.xbox.com/live/ for our full policy on cancellations and refunds. After the first 1 months of the service, regular charges to your account will begin.Your account will be charged Yen - ?600, Taxes included, monthly.

Prices are subject to change. If there is a change in the service fee, you will be notified by e-mail at least 30 days in advance.

If you have a question about your billing, or if you need help with your Xbox Live service, please contact us. You will find contact information for your area in the Xbox Live Terms of Use at http://www.xbox.com/live.

Once again, welcome to Xbox Live.

Xbox Live Customer Service.

END QUOTE

what i thought was cool was that through the whole experience of registration, it used the language setting of my dashboard. and the email i recieved was english as well. I knew a port of PSO to the US was on the horizon as the game menus and so forth were already in english for me based solely on my dashboard setting.


On 2003-02-12 18:57, Kalbelgarion wrote:
I have a question: How does Simple Mail work? Is it the same as the DC version, where everything must be typed? Therefore, if the USB adaptor isn't released in the States at PSO's Launch, will we be forced to use the on-screen keyboard to mail eachother?



simple mail is cool, and i have used my 5$ usb keyboard plugged into the adapter to write the few messages i have sent with it. otherwise, i'd guess you'd have to use the on-screen keyboard, unfortunately.


Finally,

ALPHAMOFO, the symbol chat is pretty cool and smooth. it allows you to create little pictures and assign different sounds to play when you invoke the symbol.

As far as the voice-chat goes, you can leave the microphone on if you like and talk as you go, but i prefer to click it on and off as i need it, so it doesn't possibly pick up my in-game sound.

As for comparisons to the GC or DC versions... I've never played them, so i can't offer any comments. (just so you know for future questions)

man, that was a long-winded post. hope it helps.

abzzz

[ALPHAM0F0]

ok so the symbol chat is still there! GOOD!
thanks man.
hmmmmmm now i need a cheap usb KB thats not currently being used

[saffaya]

saffaya, I did get two mails at the same time approx. one week from my registration date.

first was welcoming me to the xbox live service and giving the details about the yearly cost (after the first free year, etc.)

Thanks a lot for your answers.

Does any of the 2 mails contain sensitive data ? As in credit card information ?
Or would someone not bother at all having these mails received by a total stranger ?

Is there any cost specified about the live subscription for after the first year ? Or do they just write it will be decided at a later date ?

[Winston]

Just checking in again to say that ebgames.com has moved the ship date again! They are now reporting the ship date of 3/11.

[abzorba]

On 2003-02-13 05:05, saffaya wrote:

Thanks a lot for your answers.

Does any of the 2 mails contain sensitive data ? As in credit card information ?
Or would someone not bother at all having these mails received by a total stranger ?

Is there any cost specified about the live subscription for after the first year ? Or do they just write it will be decided at a later date ?



here you go:

Welcome to Xbox Live™.

As a new Xbox Live subscriber, you are ready to enter the most advanced and exciting online game arena on the planet.

Your Xbox Live service was activated on Thursday, January 16, 2003. It will last for one year, until Friday, January 16, 2004. That gives you 12 months of unlimited game play on Xbox Live.

In 12 months, your subscription will automatically be renewed for another 12 months. At that time, your credit card will be charged for what is then the current rate for a year of Xbox Live service.


END QUOTE.

it goes on to talk about terms of service and if i have any questions, blah blah... etc.

but that's all she wrote.

abz.

[Phobos-X]

Your account will be charged Yen - ?600, Taxes included, monthly.

what the fuck?? not ONLY do we pay a HL fee, we pay taxes too??? sheesh, the GC version didnt have tax on the HL, whats up with this bullshit!?!?!

[Durandal37]

Well, I just read through most of all the previous pages of this thread, and so I'm going to be addressing subjects that haven't been brought up in a while.

First, with regards to calling people who complain about the fee "crybabies", I think that's a load of crap. We live in a capitalist society? WOW! I never knew. Thanks for informing me. But I don't see how that makes it RIGHT for Sega to be charging X-Box owners 8.95 a fricken' month. One, they won't even be running the servers, which only handle data when people are in the lounges anyways. And there simply IS NOT that much data to manage anyways. I can think of plenty of other games that handle far more data server-side but still do not charge an extra fee. Microsoft even tried to sell Sega on sharing the profits from X-Box Live subscriptions, but Sega didn't go, showing that Sega is being obviously greedy. So X-Box owners will pay the same fee for the GC when all we're getting are the so-called "extras", which are usually of shoddy quality at best. The least they could've done was give us the same fee they charge Japan (4.50 a month).

And then about the debate of the graphics capabilities of the Gamecube and X-Box. Obviously, the X-Box is the more powerful machine. You'd have to be an idiot to believe otherwise. I played Metroid, AND loved it. However, most the special effects are done in ways that are obviously not processor intensive, if you pay attention and know what you're looking at. It's true, the Gamecube can render 8 objects at a time while the X-Box can only render 4. HOWEVER, the X-Box can make TWO rendering passes in the time it takes the Gamecube to make one, therefore cancelling out the Gamecube's so-called advantage. Add in bump-mapping, pixel shading, particle effects... the X-Box is capable of far more than the Gamecube.

Blah... I would write more, but I have to go to class. Another thing people don't seem to realize... SOME people have a lot of things to pay for, and so an extra 9 bucks a month actually IS a big pain-in-the-ass. Sure, if you just sit around on your ass doing nothing then you probably have plenty of money left over from your job. But for some, that extra 9 bucks a month is the deciding factor in whether or not they can afford it. And I don't see why it's unreasonable to feel gyped by Sega that they make a great game I enjoy but then charge outrageous and UNJUSTIFIABLE fees that MAY make it beyond my reach. Blegh... time for college.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

well...i contacted Microsoft about the official release date and was given the run around (Check with your local retail store).

edit: run around, not round around..i'm such a dummy

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-02-13 14:44 ]</font>

[Winston]

Yet another unintelligent post by just 1 more in a string of CRYBABIES!!!! You people need to just deal with the fact that you WILL be charged a monthy fee if you choose to purchase and play the game. Why is this so hard for you people to understand? The rest of us don't really care if you are not going to be playing because of the fee, so post somewhere else (how about X-Box Crybabies lol). Please get off the subject about the fee. It is not going to change. Deal with it or go and buy the Gamecube version, or better yet you could pick up a cheap DC (I'll sell ya one) and get version 1. No monthly fee and problem solved. Oh wait what you you find to complain about then? I'm sure you would find something if just given time.

[dvs69]

Delay again? soon I am just going to believe the release date is going to be March (insert random ebgame date here) Ebgames has changed the release date almost 4-5 times now, my one question is; why does only ebgames post their delays yet other retailers still say it's being released 2/25/03...strange http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

[Getintothegame]

What the heck...
Come on, what is the reason this time...
COME ON SEGA!
http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_nono.gif

[TSZoltar]

Can anyone confirm this for me...sega doesn't seem to want to answer lil ol me.

I asked around a few game stores in my area.They all claim that this should work!Gamestop has claimed they asked a sega rep and confirmed it with me!

what the question is,is the hunters liscence transferable from gamecube to xbox?

What i am trying to get at,i got a gamecube with pso.I want to get the xbox version(i think it would be better)and i STILL want to play the gamecube version.I know that they both won't play with each other online together.But i am wondering say someone at my house gets on pso for GC,and i get on pso for Xbox at the same time...is the liscence good for both?If not,can it be switched back and forth!?

I get ALOT of mixed remarks and was wondering if someone can help me on this.I don't wanna buy the xbox version if i gotta pay for another 8.95...thats just wasteful,especially considering sega's greedy track record!

I also know someone that has found a GC PC keyboard connector for the GC!Allows you to use the ps2 PC keyboard or GC!if anyone needs the link,i'll try and dig it up...just thought i'd throw that in...wasn't prepared to really post it...lol

[burst]

On 2003-02-14 01:06, TSZoltar wrote:
what the question is,is the hunters liscence transferable from gamecube to xbox?

Sorry buddy, it's not. You could always buy it and then use the two free months to see which version you prefer more. I know a lot of people are saying that voice chat will be lame, but I'm sure it will prove to be superior in many ways (though, not all, no one could really successfully pretend to be a girl anymore).

[ExarKun]

[quote]

TSZoltar... this is a very interesting theory that you've come up with. I too am a owner of the GC ver. right now and am interested in checking out the Box ver. Though the thought of paying 2wice (well really 4-6 times) for one game is unreasonable. Plz post your findings about this here. I too have quite a handfull of GC buds. Some are saying they' will go to the xbox ver. and others don't own boxes. If I could freely switch back and forth with the one fee! Mannnnn... that would slove 8/9ths of my disgruntles of getting the box ver. (MOF) I'm going 2 call Sega right now and see what they tell me.

I too just got through reading this whole thread and... (though it prolly doesn't matter) I'm split right down the middle. I'm with the crybaybies but I also understand the loyal fans. I mean don't whine about having to pay... just don't play. But don't say that this game is going 2 be so awesome when the xbox exclusives prolly' won't be worth 8.95 + taxes. What's also not cool is the fact that xbox is on the same time release as the GC... but the xbox ver is what... like 6months behind the GC. So the GC will get all the cool stuff first? Does anybody know if Japan GC players are paying less than US? Why do we have to pay more yet they get all the exclusives? On that note I am being a little whiny crybaby. Hell I'm allready paying the 8.95 (without taxes) And to help the non crybabies defend their side more I would like to add that... The 8.95 that you spend to playing this game keeps you inside the house saving money instead of out spending it! So argue with that! I don't agree with most that the Voice chat will be cool. It just doesn't excite me to have to listen 2 little 13 year olds curse! I haven't bought my live yet (waiting for MvC2)... but someone told me that you could mute just the chat... is that not true? Another question hear for... uhhh.... Mr abzz?? something (I'm truly sorry I forgot your name but the guy who allready owns the Japan xbox ver.) Can you select the music you want to listen from your hardrive as so we won't have to listen to the caves music anymore? (shakes head) if I have to listen to that nighty nightime caves music one more time.... (sighs) I think if I could change the music that right there will make me go put my money down today! I played the 4player split screen on the GC last night for the first time and the slowdown when all the players are together in certain areas is horrible. I hope the xbox ver. does better in this area... lol but I don't have 4 wavebirds for the xbox either http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif The EB by my house says that it has been pushed back to the 11 or mid march or something. (and MvC2 as weel 2 boot) Just my 2cents.

[Javienn]

I'm not sure if anyone has asked this here, or in any other threads, but...

When a player has a voice mask on, will it show that he/she does? (like in other live games?)

I would prefer if it didn't...

I will be making a few female characters, and not to worry, some males (as I am a guy... http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif), and last night I was foolin around with the voice masking, and I get a huge kick outta the Teenage Girl one as I sound exactly like some 18 year old girl.... made me laugh... then my laugh sounded like a giggle... and thus I couldn't stop laughin.... sigh... annnny waaays....

Thought I would use it online, but if ppl know its a mask, it could take away from soem of the fun/laughter I might get from guys tryin to hit on a "girl".... plus... I remember a friend was a girl char back on DCv1, and guys would give him items left right and center... made me laugh when I was playing with him....

lol... re-reading this post makes me sound kinda oddballish.... hehe

[Winston]

I guess that you could pay 1 time for a HL and use it on GC and X-Box, but this would be only if you used the same credit card to pay for the HL and for the Live! service. We probably won't know until someone actually tries it as neither Microsoft or Sega are releasing any additional information on the game.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

If I could freely switch back and forth with the one fee! Mannnnn... that would slove 8/9ths of my disgruntles of getting the box ver. (MOF) I'm going 2 call Sega right now and see what they tell me.

I dont reasonably see this happening because Sega isnt in charge of getting the 8.95 a month. From everything I read, it'll be charged to the credit card you use to sign up Live with (sorta like a content download).

But don't say that this game is going 2 be so awesome when the xbox exclusives prolly' won't be worth 8.95 + taxes.

I really dont know where this tax scare started, but I'm almost 100% sure there wont be tax added to the price. If Sega wanted to charge tax, it'd already be included like the price of a movie ticket or gas. The term "included" usually implies it's already been added to your price.

So the GC will get all the cool stuff first?

Its been stated that the both versions will receive the same quests at the same time. However, Microsoft is being very vague and secretive about xbox exclusive items, weapons, maps (See Gamespot.com's 1st impressions for the exact statement).


Does anybody know if Japan GC players are paying less than US?

I believe they do. Much like JP xbox owners will pay less to play PSOX.

The 8.95 that you spend to playing this game keeps you inside the house saving money instead of out spending it! So argue with that!

Its a question on what brings you more joy. If spending $9 to hit the theaters brings you happiness...go to that. If spending $9 to play the game brings you more happiness..pay the $9.

It just doesn't excite me to have to listen 2 little 13 year olds curse! I haven't bought my live yet (waiting for MvC2)... but someone told me that you could mute just the chat... is that not true?

But not everyone on the game is a 13 year old. Sure you'll run into the occasional jackass, but you'd run into them even without voice. And if its like every other Live! game, you can mute a person. Not really sure of the process since I've never muted anyone and only own CvS2.

Can you select the music you want to listen from your hardrive as so we won't have to listen to the caves music anymore?

I dont believe custom soundtrack made it into PSOX. Since this feature is usually pretty rare, companies will go out of the way to advertise it. Sorry.

I played the 4player split screen on the GC last night for the first time and the slowdown when all the players are together in certain areas is horrible. I hope the xbox ver. does better in this area...

I've heard there was minor graphically upgrades. I'm not sure if this will cure the ills of slowdown or not (especially since I haven't seen any slowdown on GCN version since I dont own it)

Phew. Hope that helps. Anymore questions, just ask away.

[burst]

On 2003-02-14 10:09, ExarKun wrote:

Plz post your findings about this here. If I could freely switch back and forth with the one fee! Mannnnn... that would slove 8/9ths of my disgruntles of getting the box ver.


Well, looks like you are still going to be upset. Go http://gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=210292] and read the Q&A, it will answer most of your questions.


But don't say that this game is going 2 be so awesome when the xbox exclusives prolly' won't be worth 8.95 + taxes.


I highly doubt that taxes will be included over here, and if it is then it will mean you'll be paying taxes on internet and phone orders also (that is sarcasm for no, it will not be with a tax).


What's also not cool is the fact that xbox is on the same time release as the GC... but the xbox ver is what... like 6months behind the GC. So the GC will get all the cool stuff first?


I know they won't release everything on day one, but I bet, in order to catch up, that they let all of the finished GameCube quests and extras trickle out a little faster than they did on GC.


Does anybody know if Japan GC players are paying less than US? Why do we have to pay more yet they get all the exclusives?


Yes, they are. Sonic Team is Japanese, in order for a quest to be released here then it needs to be translated. Also, instead of everybody complaining and making petitions about the price, people should band together and make petitions about America getting all of the goods that the Japanese do. I mean, Seriously, we pay more and we're getting the boot? If they come out a month later than when the Japanese get them, I'll still be happy. At least we got them. I hope this will change with the X-Box version.


I haven't bought my live yet (waiting for MvC2)... but someone told me that you could mute just the chat... is that not true?


That is true. You can even select to mute only one person in a lobby of fifteen if you wished to do so.


I think if I could change the music that right there will make me go put my money down today!


I hear you, brother. I happen to love most of the music of PSO, but when the caves music comes on, I am moaning and groining (though, I dislike the caves in general). You can always do what I do, mute the TV, turn up a CD.

Edited for f'ck ups.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: burst on 2003-02-14 13:56 ]</font>

[TSZoltar]

OK...i got an email back from sega today agknowledging my existance.So maybe they will write soon.

But i HAVE called sega,and the operator i spoke with thought it would be logical to have the two switching back and forth,since they dont play online together.

But thats NOT a definite answer.I am still waiting on a real one!I hope this is the case,i will not buy the box ver simply cuz we have the gc one.And im sorry,no kb=lame on pso!But voice chat,its better than NO KB!although i am a kb fan myself when it comes to pso.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

On 2003-02-14 18:32, TSZoltar wrote:


But i HAVE called sega,and the operator i spoke with thought it would be logical to have the two switching back and forth,since they dont play online together.



You actually got Sega to acknowledge the game? My hat off to you sir. Everytime I've spoken to Sega about it I've been told "We're not releasing the game in the US, therefore have no information about it"

[Durandal37]

On 2003-02-13 13:40, Winston wrote:
Yet another unintelligent post by just 1 more in a string of CRYBABIES!!!! You people need to just deal with the fact that you WILL be charged a monthy fee if you choose to purchase and play the game. Why is this so hard for you people to understand? The rest of us don't really care if you are not going to be playing because of the fee, so post somewhere else (how about X-Box Crybabies lol). Please get off the subject about the fee. It is not going to change. Deal with it or go and buy the Gamecube version, or better yet you could pick up a cheap DC (I'll sell ya one) and get version 1. No monthly fee and problem solved. Oh wait what you you find to complain about then? I'm sure you would find something if just given time.

*Yawn* Oh what? Somebody called me unintelligent yet seems to think "you you" is proper grammer? Interesting.

Seems to me all you can do is insult other people. I'm sorry if it's hard for someone so obviously naive about the subject of money to understand this, but yes, some people who can't pull money out of their rear-end whenever they feel like it will find cause to complain about being obviously ripped-off. And no, just so you know, I never did complain about PSO ver1 having no fee.

What I wish is that you people would quit complaining about people complaining about the fee. I'm sorry but coming to the conclusion "can't afford it, don't buy it" isn't the big epiphone you seem to think it is. People like you who call anyone who tries to field a valid argument a "crybaby" are the very reason Sega knows it can pull this off. It knows people like you will just say, "Please Sega, stuff s'more fees up my arse!"

Yes, we live in a capitalist society. But that's the very reason complaining is valid. Pissing off your consumer base is NOT good business. Unfortunately, to mean people are going to just shrug say "whatever". If nobody bought PSOX because of the fee, then they'd be forced to retract it.

And if this post seems like a personal attack... that's because it mostly is.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Durandal37 on 2003-02-15 02:16 ]</font>

[burst]

On 2003-02-15 02:12, Durandal37 wrote:
What I wish is that you people would quit complaining about people complaining about the fee. I'm sorry but coming to the conclusion "can't afford it, don't buy it" isn't the big epiphone you seem to think it is.

How about this, if you have a problem with the online fee, don't play it online? Get a couple of your buddies who are also yammering about the wonderful bonus of playing with people across the world, or in PSOX's case, America and Canada, and play PSO offline together.

People like you who call anyone who tries to field a valid argument a "crybaby" are the very reason Sega knows it can pull this off.

People like him call people whom complain about the fee crybabies because they are, and because that is what they are doing.

It knows people like you will just say, "Please Sega, stuff s'more fees up my arse!"

If you thought before you said that, you would know how much of a completely ignorant statement that was.

Yes, we live in a capitalist society. But that's the very reason complaining is valid.

Finally, something on the verge of intelligence. Too bad you ruined it by fortifying with uncouthly nescience.

Pissing off your consumer base is NOT good business. Unfortunately, to mean people are going to just shrug say "whatever". If nobody bought PSOX because of the fee, then they'd be forced to retract it.

Yes, mean people are known to not care for the cost of something.

Don't you think that if nobody were to pay the fee they would also drop the service of being able to enjoy it online? I have never heard of a company keeping a product available when it seems the consumer has no want of it.

Edited for reason of leaving out a backslash in a quote bracket.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: burst on 2003-02-15 03:23 ]</font>

[Durandal37]

*sigh* Terrific, another person who doesn't know the difference between having a different opinion and having intelligence.

Anyways, I'm not going to waste anymore space in this thread arguing with yet another person who likes to say "boy are you ignorant!" but then fails to say anything to back up said statement...

Except to address one issue. Sega would not drop online service if people refused to pay the fee, because Sega does not need the fee to run the servers. Running those servers is dirt cheap, for reasons that have been posted so many times on PSO World that I'm not going to repeat them again. Like I said, Sega is only charging a fee because they're gambling that most people will just do it and not even really think about how unnecessary the fee really is. And it seems to me they're winning that gamble.

But now, I'll try to return to the thread to it's original intent and try and get some discussion about PSOX going.

For one, there was supposedly going to be an extra character class in PSOX. So has that come to pass? Or is the character going to be downloadable in the future? Or is there not going to be a character? Or does anybody have a damn clue?

Also, are there going to be any actual graphical enhancements in PSOX, or is it going to be exactly the same as PSO for GCN (plus voice chat, of course)?



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Durandal37 on 2003-02-15 06:24 ]</font>

[TerribleDeliMeat]

On 2003-02-15 06:19, Durandal37 wrote:
Like I said, Sega is only charging a fee because they're gambling that most people will just do it and not even really think about how unnecessary the fee really is. And it seems to me they're winning that gamble.


No, I dont think Sega is gambling that most people will just do it and not think about it. If Sega needs $9 to pay a programmer will work solely on the XBOX version and provide support in a timely fashion...you honestly cant fault them for doing so. Otherwise if they had to divide the current server staff, both versions would get the shaft.

In the beginning, I really doubted on why Sega would ask for a fee...taking a look at their past track record handling things. But after things like the unveiling of the yellow cab celebration, quick turn around on the ice spinner quest have shown me that if Microsoft gets ST to performs tasks this quickly on this side of the pacific, I cant blame them for the fee.

If you're uncertain about paying the fee, just skip the game for a few months and moniter it. If ST does things to your liking, go ahead and get it. If they dont, just ignore it on the shelf.

For one, there was supposedly going to be an extra character class in PSOX. So has that come to pass? Or is the character going to be downloadable in the future? Or is there not going to be a character? Or does anybody have a damn clue?

No mention of the character, aside from that rumor floating around TGS 2002. Its possible via the downloadable content, however because of the magnitude of the download...the data for the character may have to already be on the disk.

Also, are there going to be any actual graphical enhancements in PSOX, or is it going to be exactly the same as PSO for GCN (plus voice chat, of course)?

I've heard of minor graphical upgrades. Nothing to bring you to tears, but if it fixes some pop up problems...I'll be happy. And true to typical XBOX fashion, the game will support Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and has 480p HDTV support.

[Winston]

My comment about "Intelligence" was directed at the fact that he was quoting specs for the different game systems. I read all of the launch guides as well, and can quote how many texture layers each can render in a single pass, but why would I when everyone already knows them? As far as my typing, yes I did have a mistake. So what? You type while you are at work and the boss comes by.

Oh and by the way, yes Sega please stick it up there harder! I like it rough! Just kidding. But if you stop to think about it, if you have a car and pay for gas are you not doing the same thing? Pleas oil company X raise your prices higher so I can take it in the arse by someone else!

[Winston]

Ok, last post. We (myself included) seem to have drifted off subject. I'm sorry about the posts, but I got a little out of control. Let's just stick with the facts:

X-Box PSO will be released when? Take a guess, everyone else who is taking pre-orders seem to be.

Will there be voice chat? Yes

Will there be a monthly fee ON TOP of X-Box live? Yes, $8.95/month

Will there be keyboard support? Microsoft is still working on a "solution"

How many characters can you store on your HD? Up to 12

Sorry if I missed everything, but I must be off for the weekend.

[Mumfo]

Wasup guys I am new here and I am going to get PSO for my xbox since it was such a good game for the Dreamcast. I am planning to be a FOnewearl with the Pinkal ID. My character name is in my signature.

[burst]

On 2003-02-15 14:56, Winston wrote:
We (myself included) seem to have drifted off subject. I'm sorry about the posts, but I got a little out of control. Let's just stick with the facts:

Yeah, I did too, and I also apologise.


Will there be keyboard support? Microsoft is still working on a "solution"

As far as I know the rumors of the USB keyboard adaptor have never been crushed, so it is possible that it could still be released with PSO. If it isn't released with it, we still have this (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=88&products_id=2154&) opportunity.

I am not completely sure if it will work with PSO, but will be testing it out shortly after the release of PSOX, and will fill all of you in when I know.

Edited for silly grammar

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: burst on 2003-02-16 19:52 ]</font>

[SilencePSO]

Very cool, I was wondering if there was anywhere we could order one, rather than making our own, I think I'll definatly be getting one of those (for simple mail if nothing else). Thanks much for the link! http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[TerribleDeliMeat]

moved response from http://www.pso-world.com/viewtopic.php?topic=41363&forum=1&11

to sticky xbox thread.




On 2003-02-17 05:04, Denny wrote:
Hmm, I wonder how long Microsoft will keep the Xbox servers (US, EU, JA) seperated? There are a few English players on the Japanese servers (Microsoft/Sega US employees?), so they may choose to link the servers at a later date? Since the Word Select system is still in the US version of the game, I think it would be strange if they never linked the servers.

abzorba [an english speaking player in Japan] has claimed to have played with people stating they were Microsoft employees. To me, this means its possible . My theories about these ''security issues'' can be boiled down to two things...importing and the spread of cheating. Microsoft could simply be isolating everyone to specific regions to prevent ''reasonable'' people from importing. If say you thought about importing it into the US only to discover you could only play with JP players...even with word select...you'd probably rethink your decision [assuming you use voice over the keyboard of course]. Also, importing the game takes money out of Microsoft's wallet [I think JP PSOX is a Sega produced and published game, where as the US version is Sega produced but Microsoft published...not sure about who handles Sega's releases in PAL regions]. Also, isolating individual regions gives Microsoft a strong grasp on whats going on. If keeping us apart means Microsoft can moniter cheating and elimated it faster, I'm almost positive everyone would accept it. However, there's also a flip side to this theory. My guess is if Microsoft reasonably believes they can handle cheating problems [meaning, cheating is kept to as little as possible in each respective region], they'll open the networks to international play.



It's times like this where I wish someone would set up a Q and A with Microsoft just to ask their stance on PSO (the changes, keyboards, exclusive quest(s), etc.), and their plans for countering cheat devices being used on Xbox Live.


There's a Q and A in the most recent issues of OXM. There was also added to the game information on Gamestop.com's game page for PSOX. But to answer some of your questions rather quickly...There isnt significant changes to the game. Minor graphical upgrades [and I do mean minor], supports Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, has 480p HDTV support, uses voice communicator. While its not much of a change, PSOX is generally more geared towards online play as opposed to offline [as evident in forcing people to have broadband and a live kit to play off and online]. As for keyboards, Microsoft isn't releasing any official information..but is currently ''listening intently to consumer feedback'' [meaning if they receive complaints [i]after US PSOX is released, they'll maybe think about it]. The xbox exclusive material is still hush hush...and contradictory. At first, Microsoft had said both gamecube and xbox versions would receive the same exact quests at the same exact time. However, when showing off a build of the game...people inquired about potential xbox exclusive material...Microsoft refused to name anything specifically but said there would be new items, new weapons, new maps for the xbox version [If i had to guess and Microsoft had confirmed of such xbox exclusive downloads...my guess is things like an xbox mag...or black and neon green weapon skins, outfits,etc.]

As for cheating, I too would like some sort of response from Microsoft. I can only assume by forcing folks on Live, they'll be able to moniter certain changes to files and root out the ''problem'' there. However, I'm not familar with how Live sends and receives data and shouldn't add fuel to the rumor fire.

[burst]

On 2003-02-16 18:31, Mumfo wrote:
Wasup guys I am new here and I am going to get PSO for my xbox since it was such a good game for the Dreamcast. I am planning to be a FOnewearl with the Pinkal ID. My character name is in my signature.

Maybe I'll see you down the line. I'll be playing a Pinkal Fonewearl also. My main character's name will a variant of Outre'.

[dvs69]

Will have PSO first day its out. I'll be online on the first day as well. My gamer tag will be DVS69, I will have my main HUnewearl, secondary RAmarl and FOmarl. Hope to see you guys on too!

[saffaya]

Well, guys, I'm on Xbox Jp PSO !!
I switched the region setting of my Xbox from Us to Jp, installed the Jp live kit, paid my HL fee of $5 and off I go !
So my theory was true, It is really possible.

first glitch to annoy me : the game doesn't recognizes my USB keyboard as french, I get the english keyboard layout.

Except for that, looks good. Got to find the best hour to meet the JP players (time shift).

[Long---Shot]

Thats not a glitch. Since the version you bought is JP is doesnt surprise me at all that it doesnt recognize it as french. If you wanted your keyboard recognized as french you should have waited for the EU version.

[saffaya]

On 2003-02-19 09:40, Long---Shot wrote:
Thats not a glitch. Since the version you bought is JP is doesnt surprise me at all that it doesnt recognize it as french.

Yeah right, so how comes my japanese DC v2 recognizes my french DC keyboard ?

[Streen]

Anyone else see the insanity at gamestop. I went into my local gamestop now and they are telling me march 25th.. i told them they must be reading it off the computer wrong and they let me behind the counter to see the computer screen. what is sonic team/Microsoft doing are they trying to see how mad they can get people and still have them play...if they postpone this til the end of april i know they lost me cause i will just play star wars galaxies... this is getting nuts. Anyone that has info as to why this delay has happened please fill us all in.

[Nidarrock]

After reading that I checked ebgames.com and gamestop. EB still has 3/11 while gamestop has 3/25. It would figure too because this past weekend, before the snow, I put a pre-order for Xbox PSO. Well keep delaying it and I guess I won't be playing PSO as soon as I thought. As it stands I might get The Clone Wars instead, OR wait for Galaxies. Sorry but Star Wars beats PSO in my book.

http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/images/smilies/lsvader.gif

[dvs69]

Streen I saw the same today, I called in at gamestop they said that, thats the date they got from the retailers. I have heard many rumors about how they are just posting it as march 25th so they can get as many pre-orders as possible then change the date back to Feb. 26th. The reason is, is because during pre-order dates you are not allowed to accept pre-orders 1 week within the game's release date. Although this rumor is most likely false, it still gives us hope. I still believe ebgames. They have been pretty much strong with their dates in the past, and don't bring on that Halo 2 crap because those dates aren't from the retailers. If you call ebgames they will tell you their date stays. Another thing you can guarantee is that one store will not get the game before the other. Chances of that are very low, either they will get it in sooner than another company but only by a day. So keep wishing that gamestops dates are messed up and keep faith in Ebgames!

[TerribleDeliMeat]

ebgames changed their date to 3/25/03 as of this morning.

edit: Bestbuy.com=3/13/03, amazon.com=3/28/03





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-02-20 06:10 ]</font>

[dvs69]

Well it's official, I am going to die from waiting, pushed back again...at least we have a good idea when it is comming out and ebgames/gamestop have the same dates, unlike their stupid ass feburary 25th date. I hate microsoft for this, or I hate sega, whichever one decieded this date should die. Have a nice day http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[Streen]

anyone watch the xbox boards maybe they delayed because enough people complained about the game requiring xbox live to even play offline? either way sega has yet again pushed me into buying another sony product to tide me over til they get their act together...so anyone on here that plays everquest for the PS2 as well look out for Streen...man i miss PSO so much but this may be the last straw. I am just irrationally infuriated right now

[Winston]

Without PSO, I was forced to get EQOA. It is a sad day indeed. I really hope that we do not see another delay for this game, or I may just give up on it.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

its only one month folks. it could be worse...the once projected release date [after it was evident it wasnt coming out in november] was may 2nd. I'm certain there is a reason for the delay. Maybe they're getting quests ready for launch date.

[Nidarrock]

I wouldn't be too upset if they just said June 5th or whatever as long as it holds. What gets me is that it keeps getting pushed back a week almost every week with no reasons why. I'm sure it's just tweaking but I thought they had this game since October. And of course just bad timing because I had just put a pre-order on it and it gets pushed back again. It's unfourtunate because now PSO is being released with other games that I want. Well regardless of when it is releaed I will not give up my pre-order, nor will I go to Everquest. I will be on PSO so look out for me. The player with a short fuse. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

TerribleDeli I wish I had your patience.

[Phobos-X]

delayed again??? *sigh* this is really startin to get old, this reminds me of the article on "PSO curse." PSOX better be the shit when it gets released, WITH NEW SHIT AVAILABLE AT LAUNCH.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

Stay together my xbox breathern. Yes, the delay sucks. Yes, its a pain (especially since I have a vacation coming up that was going to be used to as PSO mania). I'd probably pick up another game to tide you over. Here's whats on my plate

XBOX
Capcom vs SNK 2: Yes its laggy sometimes, still fun
Shenmue II: Still havent finished it completely

Gamecube
Wind Waker: boat+Link=instant sale for me

PS2
Xenosaga

GBA
Pokemon Ruby

PC
EQ LoY "digital extension"

[TerribleDeliMeat]

While looking about the JP BBS..I came across a sorta neat site.


http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.co.jp%2FPlaytown-Yoyo%2F9237%2FPsoLobby-XboxLive.htm

Its a list of JP ships and their fanbased purposes. Looks like the XBOX ships are named after gemstones.

[AzNBoi320]

Just wondering, if you can save the pso files to a memory card? Or copy the files from the harddrive to the memory card?

[burst]

In response to AzNBoi320:

Yes.

[AzNBoi320]

On 2003-02-22 00:40, burst wrote:
In response to AzNBoi320:

Yes.


if you can copy the files into the memory card from the harddrive, isn't it easy to dupe items then?

[TerribleDeliMeat]

if you can copy the files into the memory card from the harddrive, isn't it easy to dupe items then?



Copying to a memory card is handled like this..

Q: Will I be able to copy my characters to a memory unit and play my characters at a friend’s house? Either online by myself or with one of his/her characters in offline mode?

A: Because of the security around player characters to prevent players from cheating in the online game, it is not possible to transport characters from one Xbox to another for online play. For offline play, however, players can use a memory card to load their own character. The skills and abilities the character receives during the offline gameplay session can then be transported back to the original Xbox and the character will have those abilities in the online game. This will work well, for example, for friends who want to play together on one Xbox while not online.

To me, it would seem obvious to just copy the file to a card...bring it to your computer...modify it...then bring it back to the host xbox. But i dont know if they'll do something like time stamp the temp file...then if something is fishy (perhaps you go from 1 to 95 in an hour or dont actually gain an levels and have ultra rare weapons)...they'll start monitering your activities.

I think the biggest hold out for information right now is how rough Microsoft will be on cheating. If they can moniter your files both on and offline, i take it as a good sign.

[IronKnight]

Alright... I really needed this game on Feb. 25th. And now my dreams are crushed; like a bad taco under a flab of an otaku fangirl. I should finish up Shenmue 2 also now that I think about it.

[Mumfo]

I hate delays.

[Denny]

On 2003-02-23 15:44, Mumfo wrote:
I hate delays.



You're not the only one. I've got the Xbox Live kit sitting right here and I'm not going to sign up for Xbox Live until PSO is available. I wish the game would pop up in EB on Feb 25th.

[Sonic646]

yeah,I got my kit unactivated too.I guess Ill be able to finish Shenmue 2 be4 PSO comes out.Shenmue 2 is awesome.U Xbox users should try it, especially if u played #1. I actually think its better than PSO, but heck,its in a whole different genre

[Getintothegame]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who hasnt used their online thing yet...

But anyway, the march date is confirmed now.. THANK GOD!

Anyone know if they are gonna change the button config to a different style than the old DC button look?

[Kalbelgarion]

On 2003-02-23 19:45, Getintothegame wrote:
Anyone know if they are gonna change the button config to a different style than the old DC button look?


It's sort of a mixture between the DC and GCN button layouts. The buttons are layed out like the DC versions, but the screen has the odd hour-glass like shape for the right trigger, like the GCN layout.

Basically, though, it's just like the DC layout.

[Phobos-X]

found this pic over at ebgames, i havent seen any screenshot like this;

http://www.ebgames.com/gmspImages/23/232746/eb/pt_SS2.jpg

[AzNBoi320]

I've just went to the sega site to see what the new releases were and PSO wasnt one of those releases coming out in march. But on the other hand the xbox site has it for march. Im worried that sega might keep pushing it back http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif.

[burst]

To AzNBoi320:

Microsoft is the publisher, so you should give your attention to their dates.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

On 2003-02-23 21:47, AzNBoi320 wrote:
I've just went to the sega site to see what the new releases were and PSO wasnt one of those releases coming out in march. But on the other hand the xbox site has it for march. Im worried that sega might keep pushing it back http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif.




Just to elaborate on burst's post. Sega is actually doing very little for PSOX [which is a bless or a curse depending on how you feel about Sega]. I've heard that if you email Sega, they'll just forward it to Microsoft's PR department [which I dont recommend emailing since I've tried twice..only to receive a link the gamepage on xbox.com and the price of the game and fee in canadian dollars].

Sega's involvement, or lack there of, is why some folks are angry about the 8.95 per month fee. On the gamecube version, Sega could claim they are no only providing quests, etc...but are also running the servers. On PSOX, Microsoft is hosting the game servers [meaning, the ball is in Microsoft's court to handle cheating, harassment, etc] while Sega/ST provide the quests and fabled xbox exclusive content.

[burst]

Does anyone know if you'll be able to change clothes? I remember they were going to have that option in Version 2 on the Dreamcast, but don't know if it ever made it in (I stopped playing within weeks of its release). Just wondering if it was in Episode I & II.

[Raist]

On 2003-02-24 10:32, burst wrote:
Does anyone know if you'll be able to change clothes? I remember they were going to have that option in Version 2 on the Dreamcast, but don't know if it ever made it in (I stopped playing within weeks of its release). Just wondering if it was in Episode I & II.


The dressing room feature is in Ver.2, Gamecube, and will be in Xbox.

[IronKnight]

Anyone know if PSOW will support PSOX AT ALL? The mods here seem a little obsessed with PSO GC. Just wondering cause I wanna try some of those contests (hopefully they get more interesting).

[Raist]

On 2003-02-24 20:47, IronKnight wrote:
Anyone know if PSOW will support PSOX AT ALL? The mods here seem a little obsessed with PSO GC. Just wondering cause I wanna try some of those contests (hopefully they get more interesting).


They let you put your gamer tag in your profile! What more do you want?!?!?! Heh heh just/kidding
I'd imagine since they are supporting PSO PC they'll support PSOX, Gamecube's just the hot one right now since PSOX isn't even out state side yet.

[rbf2000]

We'll support the xbox version more if you buy all of us mods a copy of the game, and an HL for a few months :x

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: rbf2000 on 2003-02-24 23:11 ]</font>

[TenguMan007]

X-Box isnt hot because you have to pay double.

[rbf2000]

PSOx is $8.95 a month, same as GC version. It's actually $10 less to buy, and you get an extra month for free (assuming you already have a subscription to XBL - and even if you don't the cost of XBL is comprable to the cost of a modem for GC).

[TerribleDeliMeat]

On 2003-02-24 23:14, TenguMan007 wrote:
X-Box isnt hot because you have to pay double.



oi vey. Please do some research before spouting off nonsense.

Lets play a game.

Assuming you purchase everything new and at MSRP, this is how the cost breaks down (assuming you play online for 120 days and receive the respective free periods)

Gamecube: $49.99 for the game+$34.99 for modem or bba+$26.85 for 120 days of online gameplay= $111.83

XBOX: $39.99 for the game+$49.99 for Live kit+$17.90 for 120 days of online gameplay= $107.88

Now, math has never been my strong point...but isnt $107.88 less than $111.83?





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-02-24 23:48 ]</font>

[saffaya]

Now, math has never been my strong point...but isnt $107.88 less than $111.83?

Wow .. so you're at $4 close in your PSO budget ?
So think of this, smart one, you have to buy memory cards for storing your chars on the GC.

[Phobos-X]

man this is getting FUCKING ridiculous, its been pushed back AGAIN, ironically to April First...aka April Fools Day. Has anyone heard anything from MicroCrap on WHY the fuck they keep delaying it???

[Long---Shot]

April 1st?? now i think your the one trying to pull a joke on us. EB and Gamestop both say March 25th. Also i think some of you are are making way bigger deal of the cost of xbox live. As delimeat pointed out the cost of the xbox version is actually slightly less than the gamecube version. And then you could argue about the cost of broadband but the GC can also use broadband and depending on your area you can get BB that is as cheap as 56k. In november when they release the yearly cost of live i dont believe it will be that much. It will certainly be less than the initial price of live. So in the end i believe the costs of using the GC or the xbox will be the same.

[Phobos-X]

April 1st?? now i think your the one trying to pull a joke on us. EB and Gamestop both say March 25th.

i think you should have checkedEBgames.com (http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categories/products/product.asp?pf_id=232746) before you replied, cuz as of 10:52 EST time, its now 4/1/03

the cost of the xbox version is actually slightly less than the gamecube version

nope. both versions pay 8.95 monthly, but the xbox version has the yearly fee of XBL, currently priced at 49.95.

In november when they release the yearly cost of live i dont believe it will be that much.

unless my memory is spotty, initially stated that it would be 49.95 a year, and then something like 9.95 a month. Apparently they just changed it to 49.95 a year.

just counting the HL fee, yes the versions are equal in price. BUT when you add in BB fees, and XBL fees, Xbox version definately comes out being the costlier version

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Phobos-X on 2003-02-25 07:53 ]</font>

[Mazarin]

Ok then. As of now, I officially WILL NOT PURCHASE THIS GAME. We've been jerked around far too long. Unless something incredible happens between now and the release of this PSO 1.75, I'm keeping my money for True Fantasy.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

On 2003-02-25 00:03, saffaya wrote:

Wow .. so you're at $4 close in your PSO budget ?
So think of this, smart one, you have to buy memory cards for storing your chars on the GC.



Well, most people have more than one game for their gamecube...so tossing the cost of a card would make it more lopsided. I could, in theory, just discount the cost of Live as well since most people are using live for things other than PSO. (The same reason I didnt throw in the cost for ISPs)


just counting the HL fee, yes the versions are equal in price. BUT when you add in BB fees, and XBL fees, Xbox version definately comes out being the costlier version

Go back and look at my total cost forumla. Infact, I'll just copy and paste it.

Gamecube: $49.99 for the game+$34.99 for modem or bba+$26.85 for 120 days of online gameplay= $111.83

XBOX: $39.99 for the game+$49.99 for Live kit+$17.90 for 120 days of online gameplay= $107.88

And the longer you continue to play (lets say for 150 days), the bigger the price gap becomes. And as I said before, you cant really count the cost of ISPs since you use ISPs for more than one task. Its like the same way you cant toss in the cost of memory cards or controllers.


unless my memory is spotty, initially stated that it would be 49.95 a year, and then something like 9.95 a month. Apparently they just changed it to 49.95 a year.

No. Microsoft hasnt issued any sort of information about post starter pack Live cost. Rumors were floating around of $9.95 a month, but Microsoft squashed them.



edit: As for the new April 1st date, take it with a grain of salt. Games whose release dates fall on the 1st of a month or a Sunday are usually false date.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-02-25 10:59 ]</font>

[Long---Shot]

jesus christ i checked gamestop 30mins before u Phobos and it still said march 25th. U wanna yell at somebody about checking before posting yell at gamestop.

And when i said the xbox version was slightly less i was refering to the total price that delimeat pointed out jackass.

As for the price of XL you dont know that. You are just spouting out rumors that have no logic or evidence behind them.

The price of XL will more than likely be alot less than $50 a year. MS pays for their servers through the price of the games. If they sell more LIVE enabled games they will have more money to run the servers. If they jack the price up to an outragouse ammount like you stated there wont be many returning customers which will force the shutdown of Live. They will keep it to a low affordable price to allow more ppl to buy live enabled games.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

Well, I went ahead and tried emailing Microsoft for information

Here's my original Letter..

Dear XBOX Games Support Center folks,

I've got a grave concern about the upcoming release of "Phantasy Star Online
Episodes 1&2". Some retail stores have been issuing a new April 1st release
date. This conflicts the release date on the xbox.com site (the date of March
2003). Is this new date a hoax? Or should we expect a change to the gamepage
soon? Fans of the series are waiting and growing impatient. Thanks in advance

Steven

Seems reasonable to me.

Then, here's the response.

Hello Steven,

Thank you for writing to Xbox about the release date of Phantasy Star
Online.

Unfortunately, we still do not have official news to verify or confirm your
inquiry.

Please visit the site, <http://www.xbox.com/> for up-to-date news.

You can also try checking out the Official Xbox Magazine for more articles and
updates.

If you have other Xbox concerns, please feel free to write back.

Sincerely,

Bjorn
Xbox Customer Care Team

Well, its not much...but its better than what I received in the past.

[Phobos-X]

jesus christ i checked gamestop 30mins before u Phobos and it still said march 25th. U wanna yell at somebody about checking before posting yell at gamestop.

check ebgames.com. they are usually right on with their release dates, and they were with PSO GC

As for the price of XL you dont know that. You are just spouting out rumors that have no logic or evidence behind them.

The price of XL will more than likely be alot less than $50 a year. MS pays for their servers through the price of the games. If they sell more LIVE enabled games they will have more money to run the servers. If they jack the price up to an outragouse ammount like you stated there wont be many returning customers which will force the shutdown of Live. They will keep it to a low affordable price to allow more ppl to buy live enabled games.

do you even HAVE XBL?? when you sign up for it, they send you an email stating this:

Your Xbox Live service was activated on Sunday,
December 15, 2002. It will last for one year,
until Monday, December 15, 2003. That gives you 12
months of unlimited game play on Xbox Live.

In 12 months, your subscription will
automatically be renewed for another 12 months. At that time,
your credit card will be charged for what is then
the current rate for a year of Xbox Live service.

i think that pretty much squashed your claims about what i know about XBL. Oh and yea, IGN reported way before XBL came to be, that it would be 49.95 initially, then 9.95 a month.

and delimeat you are right about the Apr 1st date, which means that most likely we'll see it pushed back again. at this rate we'll see FFXI before we see PSO. and about the math issue, i was doing it just based off the HL fee for GC, and the HL and XBL fees for XBOX. your math is most likely right when considering the all inclusive fees, but i didnt take those into account. hopefully i can have your patience and sit out the wait for PSOX...whenever it may come out

[TerribleDeliMeat]

In 12 months, your subscription will
automatically be renewed for another 12 months. At that time,
your credit card will be charged for what is then
the current rate for a year of Xbox Live service.

The keyword in all of that is then. Microsoft could opt to change the current yearly subscription cost at anytime prior to you signing up for another year. Lets say, they make claim it'll be another $50 at E3. Then decide to change it to $120 come November (again, using November as the broad sense of the case). Since the "contract" is written with the words what is then the current rate, Microsoft could legally change it before you buy it.

The debate over what a yearly subscription for Live will cost is still violently debated. Most places have the following (taken from IGN.com's Live FAQ)

Pricing plans beyond the $49.99 for 12 months hasn't been revealed yet by Microsoft. The company is comfortable with a 9.95/month value for the service, but this hasn't been translated into any long term pricing.

But when you confront the official source, Microsoft will simply tell you "We're not announcing anything at this time."

[IronKnight]

WTF?! April 1st?! You have GOT to be kidding me! It was supposed to be out Feb 25th; pushed back to Mar. 25th. I was upset but I was willing to wait. NOW APRIL!? SEGA must really not what to make money. Oh and now that I think back on it I can see it going even further back. If any of you check EBgames regularly you'll remember their release date schedule went like this:

(I didn't start checking it till Feb)
Feb 25th
March 1st
March 25th
April 1st

Could this mean we are looking at an April 25th release?

Perhaps this has something to do with their recent merger with Sammy. "The Sammy" never ceases to ruin my life.

If this is pushed back to April 25th I'm getting my reserve back.

[EX-731]

LoL... http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

I love it.

I remember waiting for Lunar The Silver Star Story to be relased for the Saturn, so many moons ago. I think I ended up waiting, 2 years or more before it got cancaled, then, roughly a 1 1/2 to 2 years before the playstation version got released... I waited close to 3 and 1/2 to 4 YEARS of push backs, delays, and what not. (maybe closer to 5, truth be told..)

Honest to God, I called Working Designs back when Lunar 2 was released to mail order a few extra copies, (my OCD, it's a long story) and the lady on the phone told me about the remix. I forget the year, but i followed it's Japanies relese, and re release, and re re release.. ect ect...(i think i drove one EB store manager to a nervisus brake down over this game, again, my OCD, but i'm all better now since i stated taking my medican. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif ) and, 4 or 5 years later, I finily got the game I had longed for. (Does anyone besides me remember that nightmare?)

PSO will be released soon. And, if you really love the game, it'll be worth the wait, Lunar taught me that.

EX-731

[TerribleDeliMeat]

The weekly change of the date (meaning, it actually being moved 7 days at a time)...to me atleast...indicates no one knows whats going on.

you could write a million different ideas/reasons/theories to why its being delayed. Me personally, I'm hoping for a USB adaptor being tossed in.

[Long---Shot]

i just hope these delays are benefitting us somehow. who knows maybe those petitions got to MS and sonic team and they are removing the XL requirement and maybe possibly the HL fee. we can only hope.

[IronKnight]

We can only hope. :/ If they end up tossing the HL fee completely I will be surprised... But it would be a wise business decision IMO. And a great way for MS to screw over the Japs yet again (Payback's a ***** aint it?).

[Phobos-X]

i just hope these delays are benefitting us somehow. who knows maybe those petitions got to MS and sonic team and they are removing the XL requirement and maybe possibly the HL fee. we can only hope.

ahh.. i hope so too, but if its anything like PSO v2, mostly likely not. I remember hearing back in v2 sega said if we kept whining, we wouldnt get it at all. but with april 1st being the release date, expect it to be pushed back at least 1 more time, hopefully for the last time

[TerribleDeliMeat]

IGN updated their release list now. PSOX now, according to them, has a release of "April 2003".

Ironically, the pre-order link IGN's store still sporting a March 25th date (though, IGN's store is actually run by Gamestop.com).

I'm going to try to contact the IGN intern that runs the mailbag (I have his gamertag on my list) and see if he's heard anything.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

Gamestop.com's new date

3/18/03


Interestingly, the EB link to PSO has apparently gone dead. Maybe another change in the works?

edit: Not dead, just took about 10 minutes to load http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-02-27 08:53 ]</font>

[Nidarrock]

I was just about to post this. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif EB still says 4-1-03 for the moment. Hope it changes by the end of the day and stays that way. *crosses fingers but really doubts it*

EDIT: Damn typos!


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nidarrock on 2003-02-27 08:55 ]</font>

[TerribleDeliMeat]

In another attempt to get a release date....I spoke with a Microsoft representative. here's the transcript. Nothing new.


Mike Pollock: Hello and welcome to the Xbox Interactive Online Support, my name is Mike.
Mike Pollock: Phantasy Star Online Episodes 1 and 2 are sceduled to be released on March 2003.
Mike Pollock: I am sorry I meant in March 2003.
TerribleDeliMeat: Anything more specific? Sites have being going kinda crazy with the release dates.
Mike Pollock:
Unfortunately, we do not give day to day release dates because they tend to change often. I would recommend checking with your local retail store to see if they have received it, or when they expect the shipment.
Mike Pollock: Or you can contact Sega to see when they plan to release it.
TerribleDeliMeat: I've tried contacting Sega, only to be told they aren't handling the US release. They told me to contact Microsoft since they are releasing in the US.
Mike Pollock: Sega is the publisher, so they should have that information, however if they are telling you it is Microsoft, then I would recommend checking with your local retailers to see when they expect their shipment. Unfortunately we have no information on a precise date.
Mike Pollock: http://www.xbox.com/pso2/defau...=cat%2dus
TerribleDeliMeat: The problem is the retailers are going nuts with the dates. You know when the details were first announced (the Live requirement, etc), various sites like Gamespot quoted Microsoft as saying a February 25th shipping date...to be in stores 2-7 days later. Then most retailers switched to a March 4th date, then to a March 11th, and now to an April 1st date. I've heard its due to a greater demand and not being able to meet that demand. Any truth to that?
Mike Pollock: There are many factors that can come into effect that may cause a game to be delayed. It may be true, however there is no way I can confirm what caused this.
TerribleDeliMeat: But to your knowledge its due out sometime in March?
Mike Pollock: Yes, to our knowledge it is due out sometime in March.
Mike Pollock: However we do not have the exact date.
TerribleDeliMeat: If the date were to change, would the gamepage on xbox.com be changed as soon as possible?
Mike Pollock: Yes it should be.
Mike Pollock: If the date were to change that is.
TerribleDeliMeat: If it were delayed to a later date, would there be any sort of formal announcement...like a press release...sent to sites?
Mike Pollock: There likely would be, however no such announcement has been made yet.
TerribleDeliMeat: Thank you for your time. I hope you dont feel like I was giving you a hard time. Its just fans of the game have been getting nothing from Sega or Microsoft. Take care.

[Long---Shot]

this whole thing is just one big rollercoaster ride. It keeps gettig pushed back every week and now it gets pushed ahead. Is sonic team on crack? Maybe its going to be more like a yo yo and get pushed ahead anouther week or so. I got no complaints though agaist March 18th. This date seems reasonable enough to be a release day. I own many games that were released on a tuesday. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[LollipopLolita]

Yes, please remember that Sega is the publisher of the game so any release date plans is up to Sega and not Microsoft. And remember, it helps to have manners when speaking to a Rep and remembering that Reps are just Reps not people with godly powers who can suddenly confirm and release the game. Do not bug Microsoft Reps about this, have common sense. I understand your anger but Reps are not someone to vent on.

Saladwood and I have also been in contact with XBox reps who have said the same thing, it's up to Sega but it has an estimated release date of March.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

On 2003-02-27 14:15, LollipopLolita wrote:
Saladwood and I have also been in contact with XBox reps who have said the same thing, it's up to Sega but it has an estimated release date of March.


But we're getting conflicting reports. For example, one of the folks that works at psoxbox.com sent two different emails and received the following

Subject: RE:Re: Phantasy Star Online
From: PSO@Sega-Support.com
Date: Thu, February 27, 2003 12:02 pm
To: aznac@psoxbox.com

Thank you for e-mailing Sega Technical Support.

The release date is March 25, 2003 for the Xbox Phantasy Star Online game.

Release dates are best estimates of when a game will be ready to be released. Game developers often fine tune games which can delay the game's release but the result is a better game.

Sincerely,

-Sandi
Sega of America Technical Support

Sounds reasonable, yes?

Then he posted the other response.

Subject: RE:Re: Xbox Games
From: XBoxSupport@Sega-Support.com
Date: Thu, February 27, 2003 12:50 pm
To: aznac@psoxbox.com

Thank you for e-mailing Sega Technical Support.

I?m sorry, but Microsoft is handling all aspects of PSO for Xbox. Please refer back to them for help with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

-Jason
Sega of America Technical Support


It appears no one knows whats going on.


edit: I got my response from Sandi

Dear Steven,

Thank you for e-mailing Sega Technical Support.

March 25, 2003 is the release date for the Xbox PSO game.
You need to check with your local game shop to see when they expect to receive
their copies of the game.

Sincerely,

-Sandi
Sega of America Technical Support

My letter was sent to Sega's XBOX department. It appears that the left hand isnt quite sure what the right hand is doing.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TerribleDeliMeat on 2003-02-27 15:20 ]</font>

[Denny]

About a week ago Sam Goody had PSOX's release as March 25th. I passed by there today and the sales clerk mentioned that the date was changed to March 6th. I guess that date is going to jump around until the game shows up on store shelves.

Heh, I just want to play the damn thing.http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Denny on 2003-02-27 14:50 ]</font>

[ALPHAM0F0]

i've got it on my box hdd, its really coll, in a way i like it more then the Gc version. only problem is i cant get online with the version. so i'll just wait for the legit version to comeout.

[Denny]

Microsoft is releasing the keyboard adapter for PSO and the date is set at March 25th.


Xbox Accessory: Text Input Device

Text input device for Phantasy Star Online.

Overview (TID1)

1. Text Input Device 1 is only an adapter that allows the user to plug in a USB keyboard into your Xbox controller.
2. This ONLY works for PSO; not in the dashboard and not with any other games.
3. Will only be available for purchase online.
4. The current methodology for distributing the product is through http://www.xbox.com only (The user will get there through a flyer enclosed in the PSO packaging, fill out form ONLINE and receive the unit through the mail/NO OTHER WAY)
5. The unit is FREE, except S&H of $6.95
6. Our on-line version of PSO SUPPORTS VOICE/research shows players in Japan LOVE voice communication in this game; it goes without saying that our North American IB already loves voice...

(there's a pic - silver with a blue plug that goes into the controller where the memory card goes... I can't see the side where the keyboard plugs in, and it looks like this TID1 might block the second hole for the memory card... not a biggie, but wanted to make that observation-SG2K)

This adapter will be available on-line only on 3/25, launch date of PSO.

http://forums.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181133

[Kalbelgarion]

*cheers*