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!
Here are some of the major highlights of the media briefing:
Free to Play and Cash Shop - Access to the game and executable will be free on all platforms. The game will be supported by an in-game item transaction shop.
iOS and Android Versions - Phantasy Star Online 2 will be released on iOS and Android platforms. These versions will use the same data as the PC and PlayStation Vita versions. However, they will be single player only.
Symbol Chat - Symbol Chat will return in Phantasy Star Online 2.
Character Creator Demo - A character creation demo will be released on April 5th.
PC Release Date - The Japanese PC version of Phantasy Star Online 2 is scheduled to be released during the Summer of 2012.
Japanese PC Beta Test - A beta test for the Japanese PC version is scheduled for late April. To sign up for the beta, visit the Japanese Phantasy Star Online 2 website and click on the golden beta button.
SEGA has announced that their sixth live broadcast for Phantasy Star Online 2 will air on March 5th on Niconico Nama. This episode will be welcoming PSO2 Vita players, as well as celebrating the 25th anniversary of the series and the latest milestone of 1.7 million player IDs.
Like previous broadcasts, the show will by hosted by Haruko Momoi, Ichitaro Ai, guest Atsuko Enomoto, and PSO2 producer Satoshi Sakai. Here's a brief rundown of what will be included:
Over 100 minutes of Live PSO2 gameplay and information
The broadcoast starts at 9pm in Japan, with doors opening at 8:50pm JST. To those of us in the Western hemisphere, this should be around 7:00am EST / 6:00am CST / 5:00am MST / 4:00am PST. To view the broadcast, click here.
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.
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!
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!
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!
The Japanese Phantasy Star Online 2 Pre-Open Beta has been scheduled for June 15th and June 16th. The playtime window will be limited each day to the following hours:
Eastern Standard Time: 6am to 11am
Pacific Standard Time: 3am to 8am
Character data will be wiped once the Pre-Open Beta is completed. Also, characters will receive a code for a Bouquet Rifle if a specific Desert Mission is completed. The Bouquet Rifle will be delivered to users sometime during the Open Beta test.
If the Pre-Open Beta is successful, the Open Beta will start immediately after Pre-Open Beta ends.
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!
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