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Parn
Jan 7, 2006, 12:35 PM
Lots of RPGs have minigames these days, and I have a feeling that PSU will be no exception. For starters, we have a character named Hal whom looks somewhat similar to Ulala from Space Channel 5:

http://pso-world.com/images/psu/characters/hal.jpg http://synbios.net/games/SC5/ulala.jpg

If that wasn't enough, the character profiles for the two:

"Hal is a very popular reporter for Graal Channel 5. Her ever-changing style of reporting, which can go from serious news to gag stories, has become quite famous with the population. Despite her multi-talented character, however, Hal does not see herself as the virtual idol that others think of her as."

"Ulala, 22, has been working as a reporter at Space Channel 5 for the last two years. The capture of the other reporters covering the invasion has seen Ulala promoted to the investigative reporting team. This is her big chance to prove her reporting skills to the world!"

So not only do we have two characters who share a similar design, but both share a similar background. The whole "Graal Channel 5" thing makes it seem too obvious.

On top of that, consider: Space Channel 5 was created by United Game Artists, a division of Sega much like Sonic Team. United Game Artists was combined with Sonic Team back in 2003 when Sega was reorganizing the company structure. They've basically had a hand in the creation of this game.

All of this makes me think we'll see some homage to Space Channel 5, and perhaps some mini-games similar to Space Channel 5's gameplay, like in this video (http://synbios.net/games/SC5/Space%20Channel%205.wmv).

Thoughts?

2D
Jan 7, 2006, 01:18 PM
I wouldnt date any mini games.Even the past PSO'S had some mini games.I'm pretty sure there will be.If they didnt they would add them through updateing it while updateing quests and such.

DizzyDi
Jan 7, 2006, 01:50 PM
Eh, its possible that Sega added a minigame starring Hal, but I wouldn't bet on it. I think they added her just as a joke or maybe a homage to Space Channel 5. Either way, I doubt we'll be seeing any dancing ailen zapping in PSU, but you never knoooooooow.

SirAri
Jan 7, 2006, 02:11 PM
On 2006-01-07 10:50, DizzyDi wrote:
Eh, its possible that Sega added a minigame starring Hal, but I wouldn't bet on it. I think they added her just as a joke or maybe a homage to Space Channel 5. Either way, I doubt we'll be seeing any dancing ailen zapping in PSU, but you never knoooooooow.



Actually, if you do some askjeeves.com searching, you'll find a video of in-game footage where you see a group of psu avatars dancing.

PrinceBrightstar
Jan 7, 2006, 02:31 PM
It sounds more like Hal will be a character that is often seen in the offline game to let you know what's going while you were off on a quest or something than a mini-game starter in the online game.

OdinTyler
Jan 7, 2006, 02:46 PM
So this Hal is a hologram reporter? Interesting. For sidegames, I already considered racing. Now that we know its called a Flowder, I figured they might have races for that? Maybe Lunga races? Fun stuff like that. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif Just NO MORE SOCCER! LOL

Ryna
Jan 7, 2006, 02:57 PM
There will probably be some mini-games. If there are none for the offline version, it is fairly certain there will be an online quest featuring some.

As for Hal, I think she will primarily be used in the offline version of the game to update the player on events that are happening else-where.

Lovejuice
Jan 7, 2006, 04:10 PM
The universe needs more Space Michael. Well, the universe needs more SC5 altogether, but, hey.

I can certainly see Hal taking part in some quests, both on and offline, novelty or not - something like 'Rappy's Holiday' is bound to happen, you just know it. I dunno, "Quick! We need to place this camera in the hidden area!", leading to all sorts of musical hilarity. Perhaps she'll even end up shoved into a role similar to Momoka of Blue Burst fame, and become some sort of figurehead for things (both in and out of the game-world), it'd certainly be interesting to see if they can take the 'Graal Channel 5' into the online environment, like, a big screen in the cities, or something equally daft.

At the very least, even if far more interesting mini-games are missing, I'm pretty much expecting a whole music-change event quest, like the rather fun ones experienced in PSO. Collect the Disks!

The reshuffle of Sega staffers is certainly leading to some fun results, Sega Superstars was a delight, and if the rumours about Sonic Riders are to be believed, we'll be seeing AiAi in the F-ZeroGX-mechanics-pinching game. Quite possibly along with Ulala and NiGHTS. Speaking of such, it'll be interesting to see if Sonic and co make it into any form within PSU..

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Lovejuice on 2006-01-07 19:24 ]</font>

Atayin
Jan 7, 2006, 04:19 PM
I'm glad somebody else noticed the Graal Channel 5 thing. I almost forgot about it. It'd be hilarious if they did a little parody of Space Channel 5, but even if they don't, I think it's cool for there to be a little cameo for those of us who have been keeping up with the SEGA scene for a while.

Sonic Team is usually pretty cool when it comes to mini games. I'm sure they'll throw something in.. as a matter of fact, now that there are player vehicles, I really wouldn't be surprised to see some kind of racing minigame or something like that. That'd be pretty cool! Maybe they'll even totally surprise us with something we wouldn't expect.

I would have never guessed that they'd make a Soccer minigame in PSO. I mean.. it's SOCCER. Uber-powerful, sword-hauling androids running around and kicking a chu-chu rocket shaped ball? How awesomely unexpected.

Alisha
Jan 7, 2006, 04:57 PM
if they have that as a minigame looks like it could get highly addicting

two two two

dammit >.<

Skuda
Jan 7, 2006, 08:26 PM
as for other minigames, I'm expecting to see some racing games and maybe even a farming game where you raise a gol dolba or something.

Parn
Jan 7, 2006, 08:52 PM
On 2006-01-07 13:57, Alisha wrote:
if they have that as a minigame looks like it could get highly addicting

two two two

dammit >.<
If you thought that was addicting, higher production values were put into Space Channel 5 Part 2. Watch this video to see what I mean (http://synbios.net/games/SC5/Space%20Channel%205%20Part%202.wmv). I doubt a mini-game would pull that much attention, but hey... one can dream. Space Channel 5 oozes style, and Phantasy Star Universe could only benefit from it (though it already oozes its own style in the mass of online games).

Sinue_v2
Jan 7, 2006, 09:10 PM
I've heard a few rumors that Sonic Team had planned to include the Phantasy Star Trilogy into PSU as obtainable minigames for completing certain requirements. You'd access them through a pannel or a console or something in Ethan's room in offline mode. Supposedly, that's why there hasn't been much news on PS:Generation IV - since it's no longer a stand-alone project after Sega dropped 3DAges - but rather it's a hidden mini-game for "another title".

I highly doubt the validity of this rumor, expecially since Japan has already seen the commercial release of Generation I & II - but it would be a nice bonus.

That would make PSU like - 5 full RPGs for the price of one.

Lovejuice
Jan 7, 2006, 10:11 PM
On 2006-01-07 17:52, Parn wrote:

If you thought that was addicting, higher production values were put into Space Channel 5 Part 2. Watch this video to see what I mean (http://synbios.net/games/SC5/Space%20Channel%205%20Part%202.wmv). I doubt a mini-game would pull that much attention, but hey... one can dream. Space Channel 5 oozes style, and Phantasy Star Universe could only benefit from it (though it already oozes its own style in the mass of online games).


Heck, even a watered down version of Space Channel 5's system, something like that experienced in the Pudding and Pine musical instrument battles; where every button causes 'action', just your timing has to be precise, would be an utterly delightful addition.

This topic, and Parn's fangled capture card, has totally made me fish out my copy of the game. Guitar Showdown with Pudding makes me happy. Naofumi Hataya is a rather godly music person! Shame he isn't involved with PSU (to our knowledge), although, I'm sure, through Hal, we'll be treated to a delightful dose of Ulala-esque funkyness. And to think that the merging of the Sega departments, due to the Sammy merger, was meant to signal 'doom' for Sega internally. What nonsense!

Somebody grab Ethan and give him a life lecture - let all the problems in the world be solved by dance!

OdinTyler
Jan 8, 2006, 12:47 AM
The old PS games would be nice, but, I dont expect it. Id be happy with full sound tests from those games. Even the option to have them play in My Room so it could have a theme song or something. How about the 2 JP only PS games as a mini-game? PS Gaiden & PS Adventure? That would work. Theyre smaller games so they could fit & most ppl havent played them.

Alisha
Jan 8, 2006, 04:33 AM
On 2006-01-07 18:10, Sinue_v2 wrote:
I've heard a few rumors that Sonic Team had planned to include the Phantasy Star Trilogy into PSU as obtainable minigames for completing certain requirements. You'd access them through a pannel or a console or something in Ethan's room in offline mode. Supposedly, that's why there hasn't been much news on PS:Generation IV - since it's no longer a stand-alone project after Sega dropped 3DAges - but rather it's a hidden mini-game for "another title".

I highly doubt the validity of this rumor, expecially since Japan has already seen the commercial release of Generation I & II - but it would be a nice bonus.

That would make PSU like - 5 full RPGs for the price of one.


as i understnd it SCEA has very strict rules about compilations in america reguarding the number of games that must be on the disc so i wouldnt find that unbelievable

OdinTyler
Jan 8, 2006, 12:14 PM
On 2006-01-07 17:26, Scott_Kuda wrote:
as for other minigames, I'm expecting to see some racing games and maybe even a farming game where you raise a gol dolba or something.



As Ive said before, racing games are likely. Idk about raising a gol dolba. LOL Arent they just for food? Maybe raising a Lunga of our own & it can have various forms, like Lagi in Panzer Dragoon. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

Atayin
Jan 8, 2006, 02:17 PM
On 2006-01-08 01:33, Alisha wrote:

as i understnd it SCEA has very strict rules about compilations in america reguarding the number of games that must be on the disc so i wouldnt find that unbelievable



I didn't know about that. What a stupid rule! What's the worst that could happen with more games in a single package? "Wait a second.. this is too many games! We want to keep the fun meter below -awesome-, and right at -mediocre-, please. Lets work our way straight to the middle."
I could picture some hot-shot CEOs sitting down, rationalizing things that way.

SirAri
Jan 8, 2006, 03:05 PM
On 2006-01-07 19:11, Lovejuice wrote:


On 2006-01-07 17:52, Parn wrote:

If you thought that was addicting, higher production values were put into Space Channel 5 Part 2. Watch this video to see what I mean (http://synbios.net/games/SC5/Space%20Channel%205%20Part%202.wmv). I doubt a mini-game would pull that much attention, but hey... one can dream. Space Channel 5 oozes style, and Phantasy Star Universe could only benefit from it (though it already oozes its own style in the mass of online games).


Heck, even a watered down version of Space Channel 5's system, something like that experienced in the Pudding and Pine musical instrument battles; where every button causes 'action', just your timing has to be precise, would be an utterly delightful addition.

This topic, and Parn's fangled capture card, has totally made me fish out my copy of the game. Guitar Showdown with Pudding makes me happy. Naofumi Hataya is a rather godly music person! Shame he isn't involved with PSU (to our knowledge), although, I'm sure, through Hal, we'll be treated to a delightful dose of Ulala-esque funkyness. And to think that the merging of the Sega departments, due to the Sammy merger, was meant to signal 'doom' for Sega internally. What nonsense!

Somebody grab Ethan and give him a life lecture - let all the problems in the world be solved by dance!



Sammy merged with Sega?

If that is true, I don't know how it could possibly signal doom for Sega, considering the awesomeness of the 2-D fighting game Guilty Gear X2.

If anything, Sega needs some fresh new ideas.

SirAri
Jan 8, 2006, 03:08 PM
On 2006-01-08 09:14, OdinTyler wrote:


On 2006-01-07 17:26, Scott_Kuda wrote:
as for other minigames, I'm expecting to see some racing games and maybe even a farming game where you raise a gol dolba or something.



LOL Arent they just for food?


Once it grows to a certain level, you can have it slaughtered and turned into 10xmonomate. XD

OdinTyler
Jan 8, 2006, 05:10 PM
1. One Gol Dolba would STILL be more food than 10 monomates.

2. Yes, Sega & American Sammy merged. Sega was once Sega Enterprises Ltd. Now, its called Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. (not sure about the Inc. but the rest is accurate). That comes a long way from when SEGA used to mean Service Games. They went from being a game service to a stock company? Odd...

DamonKatu
Jan 8, 2006, 07:30 PM
*DK comes flying from the sky on a hover board, doing the air gatar on the way down* LOOK OUT BELOW!!! (CRASH)Ouch... Too much air on that one. I should have stuck with grinding and small stuff first. Races would be cool, though they better add some cool stuff like hover go-go ball where its like socker in space.

DizzyDi
Jan 8, 2006, 10:13 PM
Heheh, hover go-go ball. With a name like that it just HAS to be the most awesome sport this side of the galaxy. I stole this idea from Xenosaga, what about some sorta of card game? Or better yet, a whole freakin casino? Place some bets on hover go-go races, or Lunga (or whatever those fire-breathing things are called) races. Some form of blackjack, slots, craps, etc.? ST better add some minigames. As much fun as this game is gunna be, no one wants to do the same 'ol hack n' slash everytime they boot up the game. GIVE US SOME VARIETY, at least some hover go-go ball. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

DeathMachine
Jan 8, 2006, 10:19 PM
They'll probably do another Chao raising side game. I remember my sister harassing me for another chao when I would turn off my game boy. PLEASE ST, no more chao-related games! http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/twak.gif

DizzyDi
Jan 8, 2006, 10:23 PM
PMs are the only pet-raising you'll probably be doing in the game. Would be cool though if we could get some PS2-PSP connectivity goin on...Oh the possibilities. I could probably start a whole new thread on just that one thought alone.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DizzyDi on 2006-01-08 19:23 ]</font>

OdinTyler
Jan 9, 2006, 12:42 AM
I just hope Im right about the races. Ive been saying that for months now. Most likely the races will be on Flowder or Lunga. Idk how fast the Lunga moves, but, going on vids of Ethan on a Flowder, cruising through Moatoobian caverns, I KNOW it would be alot of fun! http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

PhishManiac
Jan 9, 2006, 01:58 AM
I hope the lobby football from Version 2 makes a comeback.

Sinue_v2
Jan 9, 2006, 01:59 AM
That comes a long way from when SEGA used to mean Service Games. They went from being a game service to a stock company? Odd...

When Sega and Sammy merged, three companies came out. Sega Enterprises, Sammy Studios, and Sega Sammy Holdings. Sega and Sammy, on the development level, still operate seperately from each other. However they're both owned by Sega Sammy Holdings, who makes all the executive decisions.

As I understand it...

OdinTyler
Jan 9, 2006, 11:29 AM
Yes & SSH is the parent company. So, neither one of us is wrong. I was just stating what the 'higher' company name is. When it happened, they were very much advertising that name (not that I was happy with it). I just dont see what American Sammy can bring to the table. They werent the greatest dev. However, if they can keep Sega financially going, then, so be it.

Parn
Jan 12, 2006, 09:57 PM
On 2006-01-07 19:11, Lovejuice wrote:
Heck, even a watered down version of Space Channel 5's system, something like that experienced in the Pudding and Pine musical instrument battles; where every button causes 'action', just your timing has to be precise, would be an utterly delightful addition.
I decided to record the segment that Lovejuice refers to as well, for those interested.

Right click and save (http://synbios.net/games/SC5/Space%20Channel%205%20Part%202_2.wmv).

BTW, in the previous video with the singing mecha robots Kin Kon Kan (http://synbios.net/games/SC5/Space%20Channel%205%20Part%202.wmv), the background music was composed by Kenichi Tokoi, whom joined Hideaki Kobayashi and Fumie Kumatani with PSO Episode III's musical score. Tokoi is responsible for the more techno oriented songs which many players seem to prefer. Hopefully this carries over to Phantasy Star Universe... alongside some possible Space Channel 5 inspired music mini-games. Disc collecting quests that Lovejuice also mentioned would rock out, and I think it'll happen since they've done it in the past, and people enjoyed it.