Category: PSO2 Vita

Phantasy Star Online 2 Vita Optimized for Efficiency

Ricardo 1 Comment

In an interview with 4Gamer, Sakai shed some minor details about the Vita version. Most of the information is old, but some interesting tidbits about the game's development were sprinkled in.

The PlayStation Vita version of PSO2 releases on February 28th, 2013. You can download it for free at the PlayStation Store. You can opt into purchasing the Special Package version which includes a variety of goodies like the 30 Day Premium Set and 1000 Fun Ticket among other things.

 

Those that buy the Special Package version will receive three items depicting the Clad 6 colony and Little Wing! Players can choose 2 out of the 8 default costumes from Phantasy Star Portable 2. You can even place stickers on your character's body replacing the default ARKS logo with Little Wing stickers. You can listen to the Phantasy Star Portable opening and ending theme in your Jukebox.

 

Lastly, Special Package owners will receive the Clarita evolution device that transforms your mag into an angel that represents Emilia.

 

Currently, the Vita version is in debugging stages and is roughly 4GB in size, however once released, both special package and download versions must download patches to access online content. The Vita version will also support offline character creation.

As for the PC version's Premium Package, he's thinking about whether he should create a new updated version of that package. However, the PC version currently takes up a lot of space, almost 10GB in size. Surely the game won't be able to fit on 1 DVD. He feels it's difficult to put this in motion as some PCs don't support dual-layer DVDs or Blu-Ray.

 

The Vita version plans to be roughly similar to the PC version but there will be some minor differences to the way the game is set up. For one, you'll see fewer enemies appearing at the same time and fewer emergency trials compared to the PC version. Since people will be playing in shorter spurts, the game's map sizes will be smaller, it will take less time to encounter enemies, and PSE Burst will last longer than the PC version. These changes will also apply if a PC player joins the Vita blocks. The Vita version will also support less button configurations than the PC version but that is to be expected.

These changes had to be implemented so that the Vita version could run efficiently. Little did you know, back at TGS, the game couldn't even support 12 person multi-parties. He had to make sacrifices to the frame rate, map sizes, and enemy appearance numbers to support it.

 

Toro and Kuro will be giving out client orders in the Vita version. If you clear them, you'll receive their partner cards. Once they've grown to liking you, they'll even hand out a "Toro Mag" and "Kuro Mag." If you manage to get their partner cards, you can even call on them on the PC version.

 

Did you know, Toro and Kuro run on their own separate shaders?
The Dev team coined it "Toro Kuro Shaders"

So far we know the closed beta test will have Forest, Caves, and Urban. After the test is over, character data gets deleted. If you reach level 10 in any class during the beta test, you'll receive special items. For testing purposes they will allow 3G connections during the CBT, but overall they recommend playing on Wi-Fi anyway.

  • The Smartphone version is still in development, for now they believe they can support Android 2.3 or higher and iPhone 4 but this is subject to change.

PSO2 Live Broadcast 4

Ricardo 27 Comments

Lots of information we've covered so far but here's a recap. We will add more when available.

  • PSO2 Vita will be at Jump Festa
  • Vita Version offline character creator.
  • New Years Scratch has Matoi costume.
  • New Years lobby has Kodamatsu (Bamboo Decorations)
  • Dark Falz HP is based on the number of players in the ship (Currently playing?)
  • There's a cutscene when you go to encounter Dark Falz
  • The show's hosts: Haruko Momoi, Ai Ichitarou, Atsuko Enomoto will be providing additional voices for player characters.
  • There's a weapon called Mizer Barette (blurry) which is based off of the Tranmizer.
  • PSO1 Valentines theme plays in the Lobby
  • The bells on the Santa outfits jingle as you walk.
  • There's another boss coming after Dark Falz, keyword: Chrome. Expect to see him later (maybe next year.)

Yes it's a 12 person MPA boss like Vardha

The show's guests faced off against the first phase of Dark Falz; basically you are outside in space where four of his arms attacks you in various ways. They can grab you, pummel you, do laser attacks like a kamehameha, etc. During the entire battle, Dark Falz is in the background watching and shouting, and yes he does indeed talk. Players familiar with Phantasy Star music will get a kick out of the remix for this boss theme.

Unfortunately, Sakai's team couldn't do it alone so they had reinforcements sent in to finish the battle.

It seems natural that the weakpoint is at the back of the hand.

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Phantasy Star Online 2 Vita Closed Beta Test Signup Begins!

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Phantasy Star Online 2 Vita will be having a Closed Beta Test. 50,000 users will be selected to participate and will receive special items for their time. You can sign up now with your PlayStation Vita! Please note that if selected, you will need a SEGA ID to participate. You can create a new one or use your existing SEGA ID to connect to your SEN Account.

PSO2 Vita Closed Beta Test Starts:

  • Mid January 2013

Signup Period:

  • 12/4/2012 ~ 1/7/2013 @ 23:59 JST

The exact date and time the Closed Beta Test will start will be announced in the future.

Testing Purposes:

  • Synchronous play of both PC and Vita version
  • Server operation and load

The Closed Beta Test will use its own data and will have no effect over the existing PC version. New ships will be created for this test which means even PC players will have to create a new character. Once the test is over, game data will not be transferred over to the official release.

Everyone who participates in the PlayStation Vita CBT will receive special items. In order to receive these items you must let your character reach level 10 in any class.

PSO2 Vita Participation Items:

  • Aライザー/ナハト A Riser /Nacht (Gunslash)
  • フォトンスフィア 1x Photon Sphere
  • FUN500獲得チケット 1x FUN 500 Ticket

 

Closed Beta Test Sign Up Process

Before you begin, you will need a Japanese PlayStation Network Account (aka SEN ID). You can only attach ONE SEGA ID to this account when you start the game. You can sign up for the game through your PlayStation Vita,.

 

On the Japanese PlayStation Store on your PlayStation Vita, you can press the search icon at the top right corner of your screen. Alternatively you can press the ファンタ シー スター オンライン 2 link underneath the What's New panel. In the next area type PSO2 in the search box.

 

Type PSO2
Press [X] or 探索 to confirm.

 

Press [X] to confirm selection as it appears in this screenshot.

 

You should see four buttons on this screen.
Press [今すぐ入手] to automatically sign up.

When you completed this process, you should see a pink shopping bag icon next to the PSO2 CBT image. After signups are over, winners will receive a product code in their email associated with their Japanese PlayStation Network ID.

[Thanks Blaze, Morgan, and Beta]

At this point, please be sure to register for a SEGA ID. If you already have a SEGA ID, you do not need to register again. Wi-Fi and a memory card are required to download the game. You can play through Wi-Fi or 3G connections.

PC users can also participate in the Closed Beta Test. First sign up for the Closed Beta Test on your PlayStation Vita. If you are selected, you may proceed to download the client. When you first login, input your existing SEGA ID. This will enable you to access the PC client used exclusively for this CBT.