Today, SEGA will officially announce that they will be bringing Phantasy Star Online 2 to North America and Europe, with a release date in early 2013. In addition, the official teaser site should be going live at www.pso2.com sometime this morning. Our friends at SEGA were kind enough to give us a heads up on this great news, and PSO-World is proud to be the first site to share it with the Phantasy Star community. Here is a copy of the official press release, check it out:
SEGA ANNOUNCES THE WESTERN RELEASE OF PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2
SEGA’s Epic Free-to-Play Multiplayer Action RPG Coming to North America and Europe in Early 2013
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON – July 9th, 2012 – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd today announced that free-to-play multiplayer action RPG Phantasy Star Online 2 will be coming to North America and Europe in 2013. For a first look at this new entry in the legendary Phantasy Star series, check out the official Phantasy Star Online 2 teaser site at www.pso2.com.
“Phantasy Star Online was a revolutionary game when it was released, and we want to make sure that its successor in the series is every bit as ambitious,” said Chris Olson, Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America. “We look forward to introducing Phantasy Star Online 2’s unique, easy-to-access multiplayer action to the rest of the world next year!”
“The number one thing we want to provide players in Phantasy Star Online 2 is an adventure that changes every time they log in. Just as great table-top RPG experiences revolve around imaginative and unexpected encounters, we want players to consistently be surprised as they explore dungeons and undertake quests,” added Satoshi Sakai, Phantasy Star Online 2 Producer at SEGA of Japan.
Over ten years have passed since the release of the boundary-breaking Dreamcast hit, Phantasy Star Online, and SEGA is poised to continue the Phantasy Star series’ multiplayer legacy on PCs worldwide with Phantasy Star Online 2. In the Year 238, the New Era of Light, players will join a new band of Arcs in the fight against mysterious D-Arkers, embarking on another epic adventure of infinite possibilities!
Phantasy Star Online 2’s features include:
Deep sci-fi fantasy universe filled with lush landscapes, extraordinary creatures, and epic adventures
Revolutionary real-time combat and third-person action with devastating combos and counters to master
Flexible, class-based leveling system that lets players define their own play-style with distinctive melee, ranged, and magic weapon types
Randomized dungeon maps and unexpected mid-quest encounters that ensure each quest is different for each player
Deep character creation system with a nearly limitless number of potential appearances
Three degrees of humanity to experience across three unique races: the versatile Humans, spiritually-powered Newmen, and artificial CAST
For more information about Phantasy Star Online 2, visit the official site at www.pso2.com.
About SEGA® of America, Inc.
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment. SEGA® of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.com.
About SEGA® Europe Ltd.
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA’s global website site is located at www.sega.com.
The official teaser trailer for PSO2's western launch will also be going live sometime Monday morning via YouTube: Official PSO2 Announcement Trailer. Be sure to check it out once the video has been made available to the public!
Be sure to share your thoughts on this exciting announcement in our PSO2 Forums, where there is already a great deal of discussion going on about the Japanese release of the game
The Western release of Phantasy Star Online 2, previously announced in July of last year, has been confirmed by SEGA to be officially delayed. Originally slated for an "early 2013" release in North America, PSO2 failed to make an appearance at this year's event at PAX East and there have been no official updates on its release until now.
"We don't have any specifics, but will update everyone as soon as there are more details to share," said a SEGA representative when asked about the delay.
The Japanese release of PSO2 continues to perform well, with the game recently launching on the Playstation Vita platform. As of February, there had reportedly been over 1.7 million player IDs registered for the service.
We will attempt to get further information on this delay and will post more details as they become available. In the meantime, be sure to check the PSO2 forums for the latest buzz and discussions surrounding Phantasy Star Online 2!
Phantasy Star Online 2 for the PS Vita has officially been released in Japan! While there has still been no word on a possible Western release of the Vita version (nor updates on the previously announced 2013 release on PC), die-hard fans can still enjoy the game by downloading and playing the Japanese version from the JP PlayStation Store for free (note: the game and registration forms will be in Japanese, so be prepared to do some translating).
With PSO2 Vita's release comes a number of additions to the game, some for the PC version as well. Almost all of this information has been previously revealed in various news stories, but here's a recap for your convenience (this story is still being updated):
Newly Added for PSO2 Vita Launch
New Blocks for Vita-only and PC/Vita shared
Vita blocks will have fewer enemies and fewer emergency quests / trials
Maps are smaller to allow for quicker completion
PSE Burst will last longer
PC players playing on Vita blocks will experience the same changes
New Chrome Dragon boss
Will appear in an interrupt event on Vita & PC/Vita shared blocks
Will spread to PC blocks via players who have encountered it already
New Story & Side-Story Quests
Chapter 9 Story Quest: "The First Farewell" (Vita First)
Side Story Quest: "Arks Combat Tournament (PC First)
New NPC Kuna with new client orders (on Vita first, PC in the future)
New NPCs Toro & Kuro (PlayStation mascots)
Their client orders are available only on Vita
Partner cards can be obtained on Vita (and then used on PC or Vita)
Will be able to gain a mag evolution device from these NPCs
Five new campaigns from SEGA (detailed here) with rewards
There is also a wealth of information available in our PSO2 forums, where a number of discussions are already taking place regarding PSO2 Vita's launch, new features, Chrome Dragon, and more. Be sure to drop by and see what's new!
SEGA has released a new video and updated their teaser site to show off some of the content and features coming down the pipeline later in March for Phantasy Star Online 2 (JP).
Part two of the "Walking Together" content update will roll out on March 27th and will include the new Weapon Camo system, new Team Room content, Spring Romantica fashion update, Cherry Blossom lobby, and more. Check out the video and then read more details below!
New Grind Skip →7 item to instantly grind item to +7 level
New Feature for Trading ★10 Weapons & Units at the Recycle Shop
List most ★10 Weapons & Units in My Shop
Increased chance of Parallel Areas (now including boss areas)
New title counting number of times grinding a ★7 or higher weapon to +10
Enemy experience adjustments based on level difference
A big thanks to Macman for posting about the video in our PSO2 forums! Be sure to check out his forum thread for the latest discussion on the update, or leave us a comment here to let us know what you think!
Phantasy Star Online 2 (JP) has received its latest content update, which brings new Advance Quests and Pyroxene Shop items, as well as some weapons and a new matter board campaign. Here's a breakdown:
New Advance Quests (Requires Lvl 45+)
Frozen Tundra - 特務先遣調査：凍土
Mines - 特務先遣調査：地下坑道
Floating Continent - 特務先遣調査：浮遊大陸
New Weapons (only a portion are listed)
Dragon Slayer (Sword)
Gekitsunaata (Partizan)
Inferno Bazooka (Launcher)
Gadian'na (Talis)
New Pyroxene Shop Items
Matter Board Campaign #2
Campaign Period: March 13th through April 3rd @ 11:00am JST
Requirements: Reach the 3rd, 5th, or 8th Matter Board
Reward (3rd board): (2) 50% EXP Booster
Reward (5th board): (1) EXCube
Reward (8th board): (1) EXCube, (5) Advance Capsule A
Reward Distribution: Late April
The technical details of this week's update are as follows:
Update Size (PC): 66MB
Update Size (Vita): 1.05GB
Launcher Version: 01.05.03
Game Version: 1.0301.5
First Time Download Size (PC): 7.1GB
This story will be updated as additional information is revealed and translated. For more details and discussion on all things relating to PSO2, be sure to head over to the PSO2 Message Boards!
With PSO2 Vita launching, SEGA has released a number of campaigns to sweeten the deal for new and returning players. The campaigns include new registrations, character leveling, AC purchase, Web Money, and White Day (yes, you counted FIVE campaigns). Here are the details:
SEGA has announced that Phantasy Star Online 2 (JP) will undergo emergency maintenance on February 25th from 11:00am to 5:00pm JST. For those in the West, this maintenance will be starting Sunday night at 9:00pm EST (8pm CST / 7pm MST / 6pm PST) and will end at 3:00am EST (2am CST / 1am MST / 12am PST). The game servers will be down during this period.
The maintenance will address the following:
Gear set effects not applying properly
Other various bug fixes
Also, a reminder that Tuesday's regularly scheduled maintenance has been moved to February 28th to coincide with the release of PSO2 on the Playstation Vita. The 10-hour maintenance window will take place in Japan on February 28th from 2:00am to 12:00pm JST (2/27 @ 12pm-10pm EST, 11am-9pm CST, 10am-8pm MST, 9am-7pm PST). For the latest info and discussion relating to the updates, be sure to check out the forums.
Phantasy Star Online 2 (JP) has received it's latest content update! Previously revealed through a teaser video back in February, this latest content update brings the White Day event, as well as the "Universe Star Collection" fashion update. Here's a brief recap:
White Day Event (through March 27th):
White Day Lobby (blue version of Valentine lobby)
Limited time Emergency Quest
Limited time Client Orders from Shii
New Items: Rappy Cannon & Blue Rappy Fan
Fashion Update (FUN Scratch):
Hairstyle: Casual Long (male & female)
Accessories
Cat Ears headband
Bunny Ears ribbon
Fashion Glasses
Green Eye Monitor
Red Eye Monitor
Cyber Goggles (red)
Cyber Goggles B (green)
Blue Lava Lamp room item
Universe Star Collection:
Emilia Replica Costume (female)
Guardians F Replica Costume (female)
Guardians M Replica Costume (male)
Marie Wind Costume (female)
Blue Rappy Costume
Hairstyle: Half-up Ponytail (female)
Hairstyle: Side Ponytail (female)
Accessories
Head Nano Port (?)
Marie Headband
Wing Valletta
Black Wing Valletta
Leader Antenna
White Ribbon
White Side Ribbon
System Update:
Updated My Room shop lineup
More details will be added as they are released and translated. In the meantime, keep an eye on the forums for the latest breaking news. Also, don't forget about the many campaigns that are still running. Thanks guys!
During their 6th Live Broadcast on March 5th, SEGA revealed a number of new things coming down the content pipeline for March. Here are some of the highlights:
New Dragon Altar field for Amduscia
New Team Features:
Hot Springs Team Room Design
Team Room Jukebox
Photon Tree can be leveled up more
Weapon Camouflage Items - Exclusively (for now) from AC Scratch. 13 to be released at first. These will allow players to apply camos and accessories to their weapons, changing the look but not the stats (ie: apply a Guitar Case camo to an assault rifle).
New scratch and costumes (appear to be Japanese culture-themed costumes, as well as bath-towel costumes)
Story content previously released first on either PC or Vita will become available on all platforms.
New Emergency Quest featuring Chrome Dragon and its rare form.
In addition to some of the new details, SEGA tipped viewers off to a "secret" campaign which is currently running. To participate, just type かまたろう in chat before maintenance on March 13th. Participants will be rewarded with new voice tickets later in the month.
A big thanks to Z-0 for posting the update details, as well as TehblackUchicha for posting about the new field! Be sure to hit the forums for more details and discussion relating to this news. A couple of great threads have been highlighted above for your convenience.
PSO2 (JP) will be arriving on the Playstation Vita as a free download on February 28, 2013, according to Siliconera. The game will share the same servers as the PC version, which is currently live in Japan, allowing players to play the same characters from either platform and interact in the same virtual world.
In addition to the free download version of the game, SEGA will be releasing a special edition bundle of the game in stores. The bundle will include a number of bonuses, many relating in some way with the Phantasy Star Portable series. Here's a full list:
Eight costumes from PSP2 (previously revealed here)
A PSP2 weapon set (Wing Spada, Clad Cannon, Clad 6)
A mag evolution device
30 Day Premium Set
1000 FUN ticket
Decorative Little Wing Stickers
A soundtrack CD with songs from PSP and PSP2
According to information in the latest Famitsu magazine (via Shogai PSO, thanks Mike), there will also be a beta test of PSO2 for Vita in January. The bundle will sell for 5,229¥ (about $64) and we'll post more information as it becomes available. UPDATE: The bundle is now available for pre-order and can be purchased here.
A big thanks to Keii for posting the news in our PSO2 forums. For more information and discussion, be sure to check out the above thread!
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