PS2 service ending March 31; update 3rd announced for PC

[EspioKaos]

http://phantasystaruniverse.jp/news/wis/?mode=view&id=1316

It has finally been decided by SonicTeam that the PS2 version of AOTI will be dropped and the game will become PC-exclusive after the end of maintenance on March 31, 2011. This decision is due to the upcoming "update 3rd" which will add completely new content to the game.

PS2 players are urged to upgrade to the PC version which is free to download. Also, a special campaign is planned to occur in April for players who make the switch. However, if you do not intend to change over to the PC version and your GUARDIANS License is automatically renewing each month, you must manually cancel your license, otherwise you will continue to be charged.

http://phantasystaruniverse.jp/news/wis/?mode=view&id=1317

"Update 3rd" is planned to begin in April, following the end of PS2 services. This update will add completely new fields and missions to the game. Also, look forward to an event which will be connected with Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity (which goes on sale February 24).

Screens show Mt. Elbars and the seabed RELICS along with a De Ragan accompanied by two Grass Assassins... D:

--

I'm ecstatic about this news. I was actually talking with shade just a few nights ago about this, too. I'd pretty much given up hope that they'd drop the PS2 version of the game (I figured it was too far along in its life to happen), but I'm happy that they've proved me wrong. It's going to be great getting to play the PSP2 areas in a proper format without having to deal with a handheld!

[Darki]

Holy fucking bejeezus!!

I hope they start putting into the main game some mechanics of PSPo2i, PUREASE!! D:

Are those maps from PSPo, or are completely new? Also, the De Ragan with the assassins, looks interesting. Bosses with minions, that's something very common in other MMOs but neverseen in PSU, I like that. But well, let's hope that this update will lead to really HUGE updates, because dropping the PS2 for just normal ones wouldn't make sense otherwise.

[TheAstarion]

Chains and the new PP system will be hard to implement without a complete overhaul. The new PAs, however, will be pretty easy to copypasta into the game. Ditto for Mirage Blasts, the new Nanoblasts, manual blocking and Charge Shots. Even Dumans would be pretty easy to sneak in, their skins, animations and blast data are already programmed on the same engine.

If they give us the other tweaks, such as the evasion rebalance where Acrofighters become the awesomest class ever, and the racial stat adjustments, and even the Acromaster (and even Vanguard as a basic type)... these are all possible with a big update.

Hey, we can all dream, right?

Also, I say "we" and "us" as if I'm on the JP servers at all.

[Ezodagrom]

PSPo2 maps on PSU? Now that might make me join the JP servers. :3

Haha....it's been nearly a year since I stopped playing PSU. ^^;

[Amaury]

At least they don't lose anything since PS2 and PC are linked. I wish that it would have been that way for us.

[MillyB]

At least they don't lose anything since PS2 and PC are linked. I wish that it would have been that way for us.

lol :P

[HienkyakuX]

so that would have been the end of 360 as well if it was jp only?

[Ezodagrom]

so that would have been the end of 360 as well if it was jp only?
If the 360 servers were JP only, it wouldn't have to end, since the 360 also supports an hard drive, which means it could get new areas as well (unlike the PS2).

[GCoffee]

Not bad, but not that great either if they don't add the new enemies aswell, imo.

[GreenArcher]

It really is pathetic how much of this game we've missed out on.

[Red*]

oh god nice news. the door is open for new levels designs monsters.

[SStrikerR]

It really is pathetic how much of this game we've missed out on.

Agreed. Thanks, Sega.

[HienkyakuX]

If the 360 servers were JP only, it wouldn't have to end, since the 360 also supports an hard drive, which means it could get new areas as well (unlike the PS2).

not really sure but didn't jp ps2 had hd support?

[DAMASCUS]

It is a bit maddening that they haven't made it easier for importers to join when they are installing so much new content. Just from a business standpoint they could really rack up the ching-ching.

Aside from that annoyance I encourage everyone to join the JP servers. There is a growing population of English speakers(from US and Europe) so it has gotten much more friendly. It's totally free to play once you get set up so...what's the problem??

[pikachief]

not really sure but didn't jp ps2 had hd support?

Nope. When they got new weapons and clothes, they appeared to PS2 players as old weapons and old clothes. They weren't able to see the new content because it could not be added to the PS2.

(u could buy a HDD for PS2 as an add-on to use like for FFXI but JP PSU didn't do this)


It is a bit maddening that they haven't made it easier for importers to join when they are installing so much new content. Just from a business standpoint they could really rack up the ching-ching.

Aside from that annoyance I encourage everyone to join the JP servers. There is a growing population of English speakers(from US and Europe) so it has gotten much more friendly. It's totally free to play once you get set up so...what's the problem??


Mostly every person i knew on xbox all say the same thing. It doesn't seem to matter to them if everyone was english speakers and if it was completely free. Nothing I can tell them seems to convince them in the slightest to even think about joining :/

Its not in their language so they don't wanna join. No amount of additions or changes to the servers will convince, what seems like most people, to move to JP because its not in English.

[Aurrius]

Hmm I wonder if my computer can handle PSU. Where is the link to download the JP version?

[Crysteon]

Start learning japanese before it's too late!!

[Wutmog]

About bloody time!!

[HienkyakuX]

Hmm I wonder if my computer can handle PSU. Where is the link to download the JP version?

http://phantasystaruniverse.jp/download/psuilluminus/httpdownload/

[Ezodagrom]

Its not in their language so they don't wanna join. No amount of additions or changes to the servers will convince, what seems like most people, to move to JP because its not in English.
My language is not english, but I still would prefer to play in english speaking servers instead of japanese servers, because it's much easier to know the menus and items when it's in a language I can understand, and also because the majority of the players would speak in english, so it would much easier to play in random parties or just chat in lobbies (yes, I enjoyed joining random parties or just randomly sitting and chatting on lobbies when the PC/PS2 servers were still up).

[GreenArcher]

Also trade in missions, synthing, navigating your storage/inventory/Photon Arts...

It's a pain, and really deters from the enjoyment of playing.

[Ryno]

PSPo2 maps on PSU? Now that might make me join the JP servers. :3

Haha....it's been nearly a year since I stopped playing PSU. ^^;

you said you got bored of PSU.

and you don't really like players that speak a language you don't understand.


I don't really like playing on servers where the majority of the players speak a language I don't understand. I used to play quite a bit in random parties, or stay on lobbies just chatting, but in JP PSU that's hard to do, since there's not many english speaking players.

Also, I got bored of PSU, even though the JP servers have updates, there's still no new areas, no new enemies, no new bosses, it's just not interesting anymore...

[pikachief]

"there's still no new areas, no new enemies, no new bosses, it's just not interesting anymore..."

this and an increase in the English speaking population seems like exactly what Ezodagrom wanted and now has a good reason to come back lol


EDIT: also I play in random parties and chat with English speaking people in lobbies everyday in JP PSU :)

[GCoffee]

you don't really like players that speak a language you don't understand.

=/=


would prefer to play in english speaking servers because it's much easier to know the menus and items and also because it would much easier to play in random parties or just chat in lobbies

Why are you so keen on trolling now, Ryno?

[Darki]

It would be really nice to have PSPo2 mechanics on our PSU for real. I dunno how hard the mechanics are to implement, like the chain system, or the PP bar, but I don't thing this would be THAT difficult. The PP thing maybe because they would need to adjust every weapon in the game, and that might be a bit tricky, but the chain system I don't see why not. They can patch as much as they want now.

I would love to see charged shots, shields, manual blocking and non-blocking EVP, as well as TECH strafing and hitting multiple boxes. Also, it would be cool to have the new PAs, and on top of that, Mirage Blasts and new Blasts/SUVs would be awesome. I dunno about chains, never tried PSPo, but if it's good, let it in!

In the other hand, I don't like (and I don't think it will be done) element-fixed guns and elemental affinity TECH weapons, and the single PP bar thing... I never liked it in PSU context.

I don't know what will happen in the future. My bet is that they're going to "adapt" PSU to make it as similar as possible as PSPo series, keeping this trend till they "finish off" the game and leave it in a state of near completion so they move on PSO2.

[Ryno]

=/=



Why are you so keen on trolling now, Ryno?

it just came to me when i saw the comment.
that's what Ezodagrom typed. i'm just copying and pasting what is on my profile visitor messages.

http://www.pso-world.com/forums/member.php?u=40507

but anyways. at least Ezodagrom might join. that would be good. :)

[Ezodagrom]

it just came to me when i saw the comment.
that's what Ezodagrom typed. i'm just copying and pasting what is on my profile visitor messages.

http://www.pso-world.com/forums/member.php?u=40507

but anyways. at least Ezodagrom might join. that would be good. :)
Basically what pikachief said, the new areas are a good enough reason for me to try PSU again.
Also I didn't say that I don't like players that speak a language that I don't understand, I meant that I kinda don't like playing in servers where it's hard to meet many new ppl due to language differences, where it's hard to understand the menus, items names, and so on...

[Tyreek]

WTF?!!!!!! I smell Ohtori Castle approaching soon.

[Crysteon]

WTF?!!!!!! I smell Ohtori Castle approaching soon.

Yes, please! \o/

[Ryno]

Basically what pikachief said, the new areas are a good enough reason for me to try PSU again.
Also I didn't say that I don't like players that speak a language that I don't understand, I meant that I kinda don't like playing in servers where it's hard to meet many new ppl due to language differences, where it's hard to understand the menus, items names, and so on...

ah i see. that's cool. :)
hopefully you can come online. so i can help if needed. :)

[Ezodagrom]

WTF?!!!!!! I smell Ohtori Castle approaching soon.
Really hope so, that and the El Bals (the ice mountain area) were my prefered areas on PSPo2. :P

[Shou]

:o :wacko:

[Crysteon]

:o :wacko:

Returning now, young man? >.>

[Nereid]

Hm, might finally jump from 360 to JP for this. Now to fix my desktop x.x

[unicorn]

I hope Guntecher, Wartecher, and Fortetecher get the boosts they so rightfully deserve.

I wonder what took ST so long to finally drop PS2? I mean... PSU is kinda old by now. They could have easily had a lot of more content if they drop PS2 even a year ago.

This is great news, but.... I'm pretty much getting over PSU by now lmao. Unless PSO2 is supposed to be released late next year?

[xjustsumloser]

Mostly every person i knew on xbox all say the same thing. It doesn't seem to matter to them if everyone was english speakers and if it was completely free. Nothing I can tell them seems to convince them in the slightest to even think about joining :/

Its not in their language so they don't wanna join. No amount of additions or changes to the servers will convince, what seems like most people, to move to JP because its not in English.

I currently live in Japan for school purpose. I am nowhere near fluent in the language but a game like PSU is easy enough to read menus/items/functions, and I enjoy talking to Japanese people (most the people I played with on PSO on a regular basis were Japanese).

I play on 360 cause my laptop can not run the game decent at all. I've always preferred playing games sitting at a console in front of a big tv, vs in a chair looking at a smaller pc monitor. And one last factor is, I put so many hours into my PSU character on 360, I dont have it in me to start all over again. PSO I could start again and again and again, but PSU doesn't have that feeling for me.

People play PSU for different reasons, and wont move for their own reasons.

[Palle]

I have a couple 8/10 44%+ Crea Doubles + if anyone wants them. PM me and I'll see about hooking up the PS2 one last time.

[FOkyasuta]

If only It handled Windows XP. Emphasis on XP.

[Ffuzzy-Logik]

Pretty sure PSU still works just fine on XP.


Also, XP is kind of crappy!

[FOkyasuta]

I'll see what i can do on this 2001 type thing.

[RemiusTA]

If they add all the system mechanics of PSPo2I into this game, they could essentially resell this game and call it an expansion. Im pretty sure it'd have to be an expansion though; the battle mechanics in PSP2 have almost changed entirely.

I'd buy it in a heartbeat, although I already know we're never seeing this update.

[GCoffee]

I dunno if they would want to implement all changes from PSP2, wouldn't it stop more than a few people from buying the actual PSP2? I only can imagine that they add the PSP2 level content now because infinty will have even more new levels that won't be included in this PC update, so the PSP version still stays superior.

[Ezodagrom]

I dunno if they would want to implement all changes from PSP2, wouldn't it stop more than a few people from buying the actual PSP2? I only can imagine that they add the PSP2 level content now because infinty will have even more new levels that won't be included in this PC update, so the PSP version still stays superior.
Putting the PSPo2 mechanics on PSU wouldn't be a problem, since PSPo2 was released more than 1 year ago on Japan. Infinity is still going to sell well due to having new areas, features and story.

[unicorn]

I'd buy it in a heartbeat, although I already know we're never seeing this update.

Thats the stupid part. Because 360 DEFINITELY could download it.

I wish some of the mechanics from PSP2 make it. Although I don't like all of them, like the TP/PP system... its major fail for Force/Techer type classes.

But humans/newmans getting specials are a nice welcome.

Hell I'm getting my hopes up. Its going to just be a couple more stages/missions.

[Crysteon]

Its going to just be a couple more stages/missions.

That is exactly what's gonna happen, nothing more, nothing less.

[Tyreek]

I would hope they have the means to try and incorporate Mirage Blasts at some point in time.

[Crysteon]

That may help a lot Humans or Newmans, but for some reason I doubt it would happen, since lolinewmans are overpowered enough as MF >.> ....but still...I would love to use Lightning and Ground Mirages :/

[unicorn]

That may help a lot Humans or Newmans, but for some reason I doubt it would happen, since lolinewmans are overpowered enough as MF >.> ....but still...I would love to use Lightning and Ground Mirages :/

I think Mirage Blasts should get a boost in Hunter Classes, so that way more Newmans/Humans play as hunters.

And SUV and Nanoblast should be stronger for techer types. Just sayin.

[Darki]

^ I would pay for having my kitty mode stronger as a WT.

[pikachief]

i personally think that Nanoblast and SUV should have its own hidden stats that go up when u lvl so that no matter what type/race u are, your SUV and nanoblast should be doing the same on all race/types! That way there can be some balance on the obviously weaker classes and more of a use for nanoblast :)

[Vent]

That one button win Paradi Cataract still isn't strong enough for ya? Basically instant kills two spawns. The most lazy attack in the game!

[Phetty]

So does this mean that we might finally see new beasts? And the return of beasts being the best fighters? On second thought, better not get my hopes up too high.

[pikachief]

That one button win Paradi Cataract still isn't strong enough for ya? Basically instant kills two spawns. The most lazy attack in the game!

what does WT's and GT's and other mixed classes having their special being equal to other classes, so that they have some level ground somewhere with better classes? lol and although Paradi is really strong, im pretty sure they nerfed it and also its not just paradi that's overpowered but SUV's in general.

Don't be mad at paradi be mad at casts in general :)

[Vent]

Nah, SUVs are okay in general, but have you seen people use anything else than Paradi Cataract and Sturm Attacker? They both guarantee full hits plus Paradi has guaranteed freeze and Sturm Attacker guaranteed burn. You don't have to aim it, you just stand in the middle of the room and press your golden button. Other SUVs like Grom Buster lasers knock monsters back and only shoots in front of you, so you have to aim it and try to push things against a wall. Naturally it doesn't kill two spawns with one go.
Heck, those 'melee' SUVs are so rarely used that I've only seen them used by my friend once (before he switched to Ascension's Gift for lols) and probably once or twice just after PSU was released.
Yes they said they tuned-down Paradi Cataract, but I don't really see much difference.

[hewitt]

inb4bobbywitharesespada

[Vintasticvin]

I wonder if theres any for wasn't as merciful to them as they mer English PC/PS2 users a bit irked Segawere to home serve, -shrugs- meh But I'm but Im downloading PSU JP aaaaand hopfully I member my login info :(

[Crysteon]

inb4bobbywitharesespada

Because of his Ares Espada >> Strum Burst bs? lol