• S-T-H

    by Published on Nov 18, 2011 01:24 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Sega

    In other Sega online gaming news, the company has acquired Three Rings Design, Inc. This formerly independent developer based in San Francisco created the well-known titles Puzzle Pirates and Spiral Knights. Both of these are Java-based MMOs. The developer is currently working on Doctor Who: Worlds in Time. This collaboration with the BBC will be a Flash-based F2P MMORPG. There are very few details on this title, but it is said to be launching in the near future.

    More on this announcement can be found over on the Three Rings website or on the SEGA Blog.
    1 Comment
    by Published on Nov 11, 2011 02:39 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. PSO2

    The following video contains an interview with one of our former PSU GMs talking about the Japanese PSO2 Alpha as well as the series in general. While there is not yet a Western announcement, Sega isn't remaining silent about the game here either.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BATo38UoTg4[/ame]

    Editor's note: Thanks to Aaron Webber/RubyEclipse for the shout out! PSOW has seen some good collaboration with Sega in the past and we look forward to seeing more from them in the future. That said, I will admit that the amount of news on PSO2 has slowed these past few weeks (particularly on our own news feed). This is for two reasons. The first is that the amount of official news has been very light since the announcement of the second Alpha Test and final release delay. The second is that for one reason or another the news that does exist has not been hitting our front page with the proper speed or coverage that would be appropriate to expect. For this I apologize and will try to rectify the situation. If you ever feel the need to get a jump on recent developments, many of our news items are first posted by the apt members of our PSO2 forum. Anyone who wishes to submit a news item can also contact me directly. As time goes on, we will assuredly be posting much more on this exciting release!
    7 Comments
    by Published on Nov 8, 2011 02:03 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Ambition of the Illuminus

    As posted on the official forums and Japanese homepage, the Xbox 360 servers will be receiving an update this week.

    • More event rewards: Congratulations again to all participants of Maximum Attack X for obtaining all Data Chip Rewards! The following is a list of the second set of modifiers that will be posted. These will be available until December 1.
      • Three star photon fortune
      • Weapon and armor synthesis success rate +20%
      • Weapon upgrade success rate +15%
    • Item rewards: Participants of MAX (those who cleared an event mission and were in it for at least 80% of that time) will also be receiving some items. Players have through January 30, 2012 to log in to have these items distributed to their common boxes.
      • Parum Collectible
      • TD Ticket (exchange for 50% attribute Twin Diska)
      • SE Ticket (exchange for 45% attribute Soul Eater)
      • RP Ticket (exchange for 50% attribute Rocket Punchers)
    • Reward Trading Post: The above tickets are exchanged at this new RSD mission. Players can choose their own element at the attribute rate earned during the event.
    • Tenth GAS wave: Also known as JP's ninth GAS wave, this set includes the following additions.
      • Weapon styles: Direct Attack
      • Shield styles: Protection, Photon Shield 2 (requires Photon Shield), Photon Barrier 2 (requires Photon Barrier), Reduce [Element] 2 (requires Reduce [Element])
      • Extra styles: Old Fashioned
    • Seasonal events: Halloween lobbies will be replaced with the ones for Autumn on the GUARDIANS Colony and Neudaiz as well as the Native Creature Festival on Moatoob. The Autumn Leaves room decoration will be available from the Variety Shop. These will last for three weeks (until December 1).
    • Casino Voloyal: There will be a standard rotation of items here.

    The GAS options, etc. are currently listed with EspioKaos's translations, but will be updated with the official ones later. As a reminder, the current GBR will be running for another three weeks and end on December 1.

    Update: According to the JP 360 end maintenance notes, the synthesis boards for Tiga Ragan and Tiga De Ragan now take Brand Reactor instead of Arti Tiga (an unreleased material). Players can now make these weapons themselves. Also, the new trade mission has some missing text as mentioned by Edward here. Using this guide it is still possible to trade for the event weapons.

    Update: Changed names to their official localizations.

    3 Comments
    by Published on Nov 4, 2011 12:25 AM
    1. Categories:
    2. Phantasy Star Universe

    Following a security breach earlier this year, certain Sega sites were closed. As of today, the English PSU homepage is once again available. However, the Sega support system remains down while they ask customers to submit queries by email.

    More on this can be found in GM Edward's post on the official forums. There is also a discussion thread already open on our own forums.

    by Published on Oct 27, 2011 11:15 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Phantasy Star Universe

    This week, the Xbox 360 version of Phantasy Star Universe surpassed its fifth year of operation with the Japanese PC version having done the same not too long ago. It's been a ride to say the least. Click on for a letter from your editor.

    Phantasy Star Universe Merchandise
    Metacritic: 64 out of 100 ~~~ GameRankings: 65.19% ~~~ AOTI reviews: n/a

    Dear GUARDIANS,

    I have to say that I am very pleased to be able to report on such a significant milestone for the Gurhal series. Phantasy Star Universe has been running for a full five years on PC in Japan and Xbox 360 internationally. These versions continue with a good level of strength as we approach the release of Phantasy Star Online 2. We've seen a full expansion, portable games, and supplementary downloads to further enhance what has more or less become a flagship title in its own canon. Our reception of this material in the west can feel limiting, but we continue nonetheless.

    What follows is a list of the good, the bad, and the debatable from the last year of service:

    The Xbox 360 version continues to benefit from last year's Games on Demand release as well as free AOTI with GAC. Microsoft has also added PayPal this year as a billing option. PSU remains the only game of its type that features full integration with Xbox Live. The subscriber base and activity levels have seen periods of peaking since last year, even despite some of the more unfortunate events. Most notably, the demo version of the game had to be pulled from Xbox Live after certain bugs cropped up that were deemed unworthy of correction. The game currently does not feature any sort of free trial or mode. Earlier this year, SEGA Pass also had to go offline after being compromised. While many of Sega's sites and forums have returned, their support system remains down as well as the English PSU website. Fortunately, this has not prevented the game from seeing new content or major event websites. It also did not affect game accounts.

    Content has become an exceedingly discussed subject in the past year. While the Xbox 360 version has not been subject to microtransactions themselves, it continues to wait on releases of content from Japan's GUARDIANS Cash system. Content from this system is planned to be implemented in alternative ways, however only a few weapons have gone out so far as event rewards. Additionally, this version has been treading well into content released after Japan's Update 2nd, however does not currently contain graphics for many of the newer weapons released during it (and must rely on older weapon models in those cases). Until some sort of download finds its way through Microsoft, the newest available graphics will be of Phantasy Star Portable weapons and clothing.

    Despite these factors, a lot has been released over the past year. The Xbox 360 version has seen more major events and GBRs than in any prior year. Along with the GBRs have been AOTI/S3 upgrades, S2 rare missions, and even a few new free missions as well as a side story mission. It's also been updated with a couple of GAMs and several GAS releases. We've even had our first viewing of the Party lobby. It's also notable that the game has not seen any title updates since the release of GAC. While the client could always use more tweaks and fixes, we haven't been subject to major rollbacks, bugs, or exploits in some time. Many of the issues with content releases continue to be corrected on the server itself.

    On the Japanese side, there have been some very significant items from this past year. The lingering JP PS2 version of AOTI finally saw its support fully cut, resulting in more freedom for PSU from that platform's limitations. Update 3rd was released and presented players with the start of a stream of content including more weapons and clothing from the recent portable titles as well as areas, music, PAs, and SUVs from those games. It's by far the most significant addition to PSU since the release of the expansion. The GUARDIANS Cash system continues to provide more revenue while the game's free mode attracts new players. Many of these have been players outside of Japan hoping to get a jump on new content and features. A notable change is that the server's population has been consolidated into eight universes (down from sixteen). This was originally done as a result of the devastating events in Japan earlier this year, however this seems to have become permanent.

    There is one more matter to list that has come up most recently. Sega has mentioned that they have no current plans to release more PSP titles in the west due to factors such as low sales and piracy. This puts into question the localized releases of such titles as Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity and Valkyria Chronicles III. As an expansion to PSP2, Infinity further connects the PSU series to the PSO series via story and content additions. It was intended to a degree to cap off the last ten years of Phantasy Star in the same way that PSP2 was originally said to cap off the PSU series. While my own time with the portable games has been limited, it is highly unfortunate to see the western release of such a title be put into question. Without a doubt, there are few instances where a title for Sony's portable is given so much care.

    Through it all, both the Xbox 360 and JP PC versions of PSU have seen more support over a longer period of time than any version of PSO. The former carries an uncommonly stable population for the franchise and the latter has seen the benefit of its modified business model. This past year we've surpassed the server life of PSO on the Gamecube and in a few days will surpass the server life of PSO on the Xbox. JP PSOBB holds the record at around six and a half years, however it did not benefit from such a long period of new content releases as the current versions of PSU already have. However, I am sure that we all hope that an even greater level of support will be possible with PSO2.

    When I look at the current state of the game and I see that those most vocal are hoping first and foremost to be on the receiving end of more content, I can't help but come to a rather satisfying conclusion. If the most frequent complaint about a game is that the players wish to see more of it...that's not such a terrible thing.

    To everyone involved in Phantasy Star, especially those few that maintain the community AND have put up with me far too frequently:

    Thanks.

    Your faithful assistant,

    S-T-H

    9 Comments
    by Published on Oct 20, 2011 01:24 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Sega

    Until November 1, there will be a sale on several of Sega's titles on PSN. Here are a few highlights:

    • Phantasy Star Portable 2 is $19.99 (50% off)
    • Valkyria Chronicles II and its DLC is $22.49 (50% off)
    • PlayStation Plus members can get VCII and its DLC for $13.79 (almost 40% off)

    For the whole list, see Sega's blog entry.

    Update: Now that the sale is over, a few remnants have been left behind. It seems that the Valkyria pack actually had a price drop (aside from the additional Plus discount). It remains at $22.49. PSP2 dropped even further to $14.99.

    by Published on Oct 18, 2011 02:05 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Ambition of the Illuminus

    Reported on in English and Japanese, here are the details for Xbox 360's update this week:

    • Initial event rewards: Congratulations to all participants of Maximum Attack X for obtaining all Data Chip Rewards! The following is a list of the first set of modifiers that will be posted. These will be available until November 10.
      • Half-priced clothes and parts
      • Free Lumilass services
      • Daily Vol Coin allowance x10
      • PA EXP boost
    • Moatoob Drop Boost 4th: Known in Japan as Moatoob Drop Boost 3rd, this GBR will be running through December 1 and contains the following new and upgraded missions.
      • Dusty Mines: This new mission can be found at Casino Voloyal by heading back through the entrance. It features C~S3 difficulties.
      • Caves of Ice: S3 difficulty will be added. Clear boxes will be added to all difficulties. While not noted for either server, this mission also received upgraded mission rewards on its JP PC/PS2 re-release.
      • Awoken Serpent: S3 difficulty will be added. New items will be available in the clear boxes for A~S2 difficulties.
    • Drop change: Bil De Vear will have its LV175+ drop changed.
    • Casino Voloyal: There will be a standard rotation of items here.

    There are a few additional notes. Dusty Mines may not be the final name in the game. Also, there will likely be a 15% initial boost for the GBR, however these normally go unlisted.

    Update: GM Edward has noted that the 15% initial boost will be a part of this GBR and it is the one earned during The Great Arms Race.

    Update: Dusty Mines is in fact the correct name.

    Update: Recently, players that still had a neutral attribute Berdysh were asked to NPC them to receive new ones (with the same grind values). Those were distributed with this update to their common boxes.

    4 Comments
    by Published on Sep 27, 2011 05:28 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Ambition of the Illuminus

    As posted on the official forums and Japanese homepage, the Xbox 360 servers will be receiving an update this week. The specific details are below.

    • Ninth GAS wave: Also known as JP's eighth GAS wave, this set includes the following changes and additions.
      • Special Abilities cap increases: Human (6->, Newman (5->7), CAST (4->6), Beast (5->7)
      • Attributes/Resistances cap increases: Human (20->22), Newman/CAST/Beast (15->17)
      • Type customizations: Critical Rate, Critical Mastery, Burn/Poison/Confu. Resist+ (up to LV2)
      • Style customizations: Revenge Blaster
    • AP cap increase: Players can now store up to 20 AP for GAS options (up from 10).
    • Halloween: Party lobbies will be replaced with the ones for Halloween. The Halloween remodeling ticket will be available from the Variety Shop. Also be sure to keep an eye out for Rappy Latan! These will last for six weeks (until November 10).
    • Casino Voloyal: There will be a standard rotation of items here.

    The GAS options are currently listed with EspioKaos's translations, but will be updated with the official ones later. Also worth mentioning is that we will soon be unlocking the final version of Spiral Labyrinth for the MAX event. Discussion of this topic continues inside Tawon's thread on the forums.

    Update: The GAS options have been updated with their official localizations.

    by Published on Sep 23, 2011 06:18 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Ambition of the Illuminus

    As noted on the official forums, the Xbox 360 version had a maintenance period last night. Details on changes were not provided, nor did they appear on the Japanese homepage. However, it appears that the weapons Ai-kunai, Beni-kunai, and Shag Shij were added as drops to the MAX event missions.

    Also mentioned was an important note about the Berdysh fixes. If yours is already fixed, do not sell it to the NPC (it will not be returned). If yours is not fixed, you have through Sunday to sell it to the NPC (to obtain a fixed version in a later maintenance).

    Now for a bit on the event rewards. We're approximately a third of the way through the event and have recently surpassed 2 million chips. This puts us at five out of twelve milestones unlocked so far. It also means that the Twin Diska will be released at the full 50% elemental attribute rate. Which element a player receives will of course be up to them. A new reward weapon and its chip count target will be revealed tomorrow.

    by Published on Sep 19, 2011 03:44 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. PSO2

    Race and Gender

    A detailed alpha report has popped up on the PSO2 homepage. Many more graphs are provided than the ones featured in the earlier Tokyo Game Show presentations.

    You can find additional information on this topic inside Spellbinder's thread on the forums.

    33 Comments
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