lollipoplolita writes, "ST reports that JP PSO Windows version free BBS and the JP PSO Windows version secret BBS has been restored and is now up and functioning. Also Isao.net was reportedly down today for some time but is now back up and currently running since ST restarted the server. You can read the BBS post here. The server down time affected the webpages for HL purchasing for JP PSO DC edition, Windows edition, JP GC edition and GC edition Ver.1.1."

Infogrames UK recently released the official price for PAL PSO, which will be 5.99 pounds a month, with the first month free. They also announced the official release date, which will be March 7, and a list of countries from which players will be able to play online.

Those countries include:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Click here to see the press release for yourself, thanks to Tim Street, editor of Nintendo Official Magazine (UK).

The first Ebay auction for 50 adapters starting at 18:54:52 PST for the PC to Gamecube Keyboard Adapter that pantsofevilgamers.com has created and is offering sold out in under 9 minutes, each with an item price of $21!

Layrinn or Eric of pantsofevilgamers.com had this to say:

"The first auction went up and was done in less than 9 mins, and due to some email delays some people did not receive notification until after the auction closed. Let me just apologize to all of you who missed the auction and offer these words of comfort: more are on the way. I was unaware that eBay had implemented a scheduled auction feature, so I just busted it to get the thing up as soon as I could. Next time around, I'll be able to tell you when the auction will be released and everyone will have a better shot at it.

The reality was that we only had 50 adapters for this first auction and over 500 people (these are people who were on the email list- there could be more) vying for them. Again, don't worry. If this auction is any indication of the demand out there we will do our best to meet it with supply.

And for those of you lucky enough to get in on the auction- watch your inboxes. We'll be mailing out confirmations and shipping info within the next day or so. Thanks again...."

Congratulations to the guys at pantsofevilgamers.com. Maybe we should contact them and encourage them to have another auction sometime soon for those of us needing keyboards. You can read the adapter FAQ here. I guess it's time for them to order more parts! Congrats Layrinn!!

TerribleDeliMeat writes, "Gamestop.com has recently changed the shipping date for PSOX from February 25th to March 25th. This comes on the heels of various retail stores changing the once projected shipping date of February 25th to March 4th.

I've spoken to several Gamestop employees who have reported different dates currently logged on their computers. The date change could simply be due to the amount of copies being produced is well under the demand for the game [It should be noted that this current date change comes one day after Gamestop.com began giving free Overnight shipping on PSOX pre-orders]. I've tried to contact Microsoft to get the final word, but only to receive the run around.

Click here for the webpage. "

EBGames also now lists PSO for Xbox as shipping on March 25th.

Getintothegame writes, "I got this e-mail from sega-tech today, concerning the recent bugs in challenge mode:

'We have been researching for a resolution to this issue, we are not sure why this is happening. We appreciate your communication...and your patience.Thanks,
Sega.com"

Just in case you wanted to know.
-Getintothegame"

Last time we spoke to a Sega rep, they also said they have no clue or no word on the bugs.

Spurred by the wishes of PSO players to have a US & UK Challenge Mode block, some of the bigger online PSO community websites have come together to decide on a US & UK block and have decided to jointly undertake the effort to make this into a success. We have decided on a block that is neutral, basically unused by any current site and not close to a block that any current site already resides in.

We have agreed on Deneb 04 as a place for US & UK players to gather for Challenge Mode games. The first weekly gathering will take place this Friday at 7 PM PST/10 PM EST. Hopefully some of the sites involved will participate in hosting Challenge Mode nights. In support, we will be carrying the banner below and hosting our Challenge Mode nights on the same time and block. This information can also be found in our PSOW Weekly Events information block.


The current communities involved are:
Ragol Gazette
Ah King
VoodooMoose
PSO Zone
Mamak
PSO-World
PSO Life
PSO Planet

We encourage participation from all players and other websites to make this block into a success. It will be a nice experience to mingle and play with players from other communities. For other websites to partake in this joint effort, please PM LollipopLolita or pixelate and feel free to use the above image in your website.

Please join the discussion on this news in our forums.

To prepare yourself for Challenge Mode, consult our guides and maps here. Or enjoy our printable Challenge Mode maps here.

Geirant Evans, News Editor of NGC Magazine writes this regarding the fact that the European servers are online and also about the availability of keyboards in the UK:

"The game will be online from the word go (in fact the servers will be ready a few weeks prior to the game hitting the shelves in europe). The game will allow access to both US and Japanese servers.

As for Timecards for PSO EU being used as an alternative payment method, I have no idea. We didn't discuss anything like that with Sega. Also, as far as the keyboard is concerned there are only 'plans' to distribute it in the UK alone. There has been no 'confirmation' as such - so don't take it as definite."

Jes Bickham, editor of NGC also writes:

"Yep, Geraint went to see Sega on Monday 3rd February, and everything was confirmed then, and he did indeed play on the UK server. As far as we know, nothing has changed. The Modem adapter and Broadband adaptor will be released separately from the game, at 45 euros (about 30pounds, which is expensive), but will be released on the same day as the game, March 7th. I haven't heard anything about Timecards. However, anything's possible and I'm sure things are still being finalised. However, yes, apparently you'll be able to play US and JP PSO owners."

NGC also gave PSO a 90% rating in their current issue.

This is a reminder that www2.sega.co.jp which hosts the BBS's listed below will be going down for server maintenance and change of DNS on 02/19 from 10am til 6pm JP time.

Comprehensive free BBS
Comprehensive secret BBS
Windows version free BBS
Windows version secret BBS

The Gamecube JP Hunter's License webpage will also be affected. It might be a few days before the DNS change will be updated. You can read more of the news here.

The JP Xbox HL Webpage was also down for server maintenance yesterday from 4pm until 11:30pm.

We got a call from Sega Tech Support and Sega Tech Support has finally confirmed that the Double Save FSOD bug is now completely fixed. No word on the other C-Mode bugs although Sega Corporate is aware of the escalated situation.

Also, we got an email from Tim Street, Editor of Nintendo Official Magazine (UK), stating this:

"Just to let you know, Nintendo's Press Office in London stated in a press release today that PSO will be released in the UK and Europe on 7 March.

All the best,

Tim"

This news is also reflected on Nintendo Europe's website. Infogrames also has this date reflected in their website here.

An older Gamespy article about PSO XBox can be found here. It has a little blurb about XBox Quests:

"Downloadable content will be made available whenever Sonic Team completes it, with the same frequency and simultaneously with the GameCube version."