Rubesahl writes, "Reports Mamak International, "Sonic Team announced the official release date of the Broadband Adapter for the Nintendo Gamecube. On the third of October, Dreamcast direct will start selling these high speed babies at a retail price of 3.800 Yen (31,70 USD). Don't get your hopes up though, the importers amongst us will probably pay a lot more.
Sonic Team also stated that the first 30 days of online play with the Gamecube version of PSO will be free. So if you own the game and log online for the first time between the release and the 31st of March 2003, you will get 30 days of online play for free!! "
"Famitsu updates
The guild card capacity has been increased from 110 to 210. Players can now store more player guild cards.
Guild card memo capability, players can write a short memo on any particular guild card to remind them who the player is.
Auto Response function for in-game messaging / mail added.
Androids trap can now be placed in the shortcut menu for quicker access
Any item that has been traded online can also be traded in Multiplayer mode.
Selectable fonts for viewing and chatting in game.
An info window now appears on the right of the screen when a player selects an armor or weapon via the shortcut window. "
Hopefully these new stuff will boost the game's popularity a lot ^__^"
Darrin writes, "As reported earlier, the GC version of PSO will have an information board feature. It is now learnt that this information board will function more or less like a message board. Users can choose to leave a message on the board for everyone on that particular lobby to view or choose to leave a message for certain users or users within your guild card list. This information was obtained from Mamak Interntional."
There is a Network Trial Edition of PSO available for the PC now. However, you may not save and you may not return to Pioneer 2. You are also disconnected after a certain period of time.
If all this is fine for you, it is available for download by clicking here.
Jonathan_F writes, "RPGamer.com is reporting that Japanese gamers will be recieving a free 30 day trial for Phantasy Star Online Episodes I & II. (As opposed to the Dreamcast's version 2 which only had a 2 day trial.)
omega3059 writes, "According to IGN, and 11 screenshots found only on their site, PSO for Gamecube will feature a new looks for the Lobby and Pioneer 2. The upgraded look will feature more detailed and "colorful" areas, and instead of all the shops and places cramped into small rooms, they will now be spread out over a larger distance... Lastly, instead of identical lobbies on the DC games, the GCN lobbies will feature multiple styles depending on what ship you choose.
Alielle writes, "I just checked out Sonic Team's official PSO site, which announces that instead of the initial August 8th release date, the Japanese version of PSO will be delayed to September 12th. It seems that they have opted to refine and make improvements to the game in the meantime.
HUnewearl_Meira writes, "The downloadable quest, "Soul of Steel" is now available to US v2 players. This new quest features the infamous Jean Carlo Montegue, as well as Elenor. BOTH go with you down to Ragol, and you have the pleasure of learning some vital secrets concerning Elenor, and her SISTER, Ult. This new quest also gives us a better feel for the relationship between Hunters and the military aboard Pioneer 2, not to mention, that this quest actually adds to the overall plot of the game. Definitely worth a download-- the most profound downloadable quest, to date."