Tag: phantasy star

Phantasy Star Universe PC/PS2 Shuts Down March 31st, 2010. Where do we go now?

Ricardo Leave a comment

So for today's shocking, but everyone saw it coming  announcement, Phantasy Star Universe will be closing down it's PC/PS2 servers. Due to low population, SEGA has decided to shift focus to the XBOX servers. The XBOX servers although dwindling in players, still has quite a grip on it's population.  It's expected that the XBOX servers will continue to receive updates including the AOTI+ Supplemental Update. Though the announcement did not specifically say this. Edward posted a message on the official site, quote:

Please note that after January 29th 2010, no new PSU subscriptions will be available for purchase for PC/PS2. Those who are subscribed as of that time will be able to play, for free, until service closure.

The schedule is as follows:

• January 29th 2010: MAG+ event begins for PC/PS2 and Xbox 360 servers.

• January 29th 2010: No new PC/PS2 PSU subscriptions will be available for purchase.

• January 29th 2010: Free play for PC/PS2 PSU begins. No more billing cycles will take place on or after this date.

• March 31st 2010: PC/PS2 servers / service closure, the PlayStation2 and PC versions of Phantasy Star Universe online play will not be available after this date, however, please continue to enjoy the Single Player version of the game.

For those who play the Xbox 360 version of Phantasy Star Universe: SEGA will continue to support, in full & with regular updates, this version of Phantasy Star Universe. This includes bringing currently unreleased and anticipated content to the XBox 360 servers. We will be able to provide more details on future Xbox 360 PSU content over the coming weeks and months.

Son in essence PSU Pc/Ps2 servers will be free for January 29th to March 31st, which I guess will allow everyone to say their goodbyes before they leave. What's interesting to note is what Edward says next..

While we are sad to see the PC/PS2 version of Phantasy Star Universe end, the year 2010 is the 10th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online — and this server / service closure is helping to pave the way for bigger and better things for the Phantasy Star franchise in the very near future!

Sakai also shared a somewhat similar statement during his New Year's message. We should continue to see things from the Phantasy Star Series in 2010, considering it's the 10th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online. Does this mean a new flagship title Phantasy Star will be announced?  Does this mean PSPo2 will soon get an announcement for the English release?  We'll just have to wait and see.

[via psu]

Where do we go from here?

There aren't many games out there like Phantasy Star Online. Fortunately, the market for non-targeting, action RPG systems are slowly rising out of Korea and China.

For now most MMOs focus less on action and more on strategic gameplay. This is where a player clicks on an enemy and engages in auto combat. The player may press a sequence of buttons to use various skills. In these MMOs you never see characters roll out of the way, strafe behind the enemy, shoot and run away from a distance. You are pretty much "attached" to an enemy during the entire combat.

Whatever Sega plans to do with the Phantasy Star series, we do at least have some hope for other games that follow in it's footsteps. Here are a few games coming soon for the PC that provide an action oriented, non targetting system.

  • Continent of the 9th
    • Offers a more graphically realistic approach to PSU.
    • Follows in PSU's footsteps with instanced like gameplay.
    • Battle animation tends to be flashy and mimics PSU's style.
    • Limited Character races.
  • TERA Online
    • Beautiful graphics, serene visuals, open world gameplay.
    • Players aim their attacks at enemies.
    • Character Classes/Races similar to PSU.
  • Dragon Nest
    • Instanced gameplay.
    • Gameplay feels ripped out of PSZero

Of course if you are on the handheld market, you can still play Phantasy Star Zero and look forward to Phantasy Star Portable 2, if and when it does come out.

 

What will Sakai do next?

Shougai PSO posted a quote from Dengeki Magazine regarding an interview about PSO10th Anniversary. In it he says, given that last year's Phantasy Star Portable 2, is seen as the compilation of the series.  The next new thing he wants to do is something incredibly challenging that is "a giant leap", [possibly something extremely different than what we'd expect /something that upgrades the series?] however, he still wants to please the traditional fans.

[via shougai]

Reactions

Ana has blogged her reactions on the current news, also speculates there might be some new Phantasy Star game in development. Kotaku comments section (view the unpromoted comments) has more reactions.  Other player reactions will be posted here.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 + Phantasy Star Portable 2 Free DLC

Ricardo Leave a comment

A little crossover between Valkyria Chronicles 2 and Phantasy Star Portable 2. These are actually FREE download items which you may only get through the Playstation Store. Only those who downloaded these items will see them in the game, otherwise you will see a generic replacement instead.

Lanseal Military Academy Uniform
(Male + Female Clothes and Parts)
Free of Charge!

 

Valkyria Shield and Valkyria Lance
(Shield + Saber)
Free of Charge!

 

Gallian
(Rifle)
Free of Charge!

 

Lancaar
(Grenade Launcher)
Free of Charge!

 

[via dlitem]

Valkyria Chronicles 2 will have two Phantasy Star Portable 2 DLC mission from Little Wing and the Guardians on January 21st, 2010. So in essence each game will exchange content for the other on the same day.

The Little Wing!

 

Notice Board

We're currently looking to make a Frequently Asked Question section for players. This will just be a series of questions and answers to get you through certain parts of the game, hardware related issued, and process of purchasing. If you would like to submit a question that you think should be included in the FAQ please post a comment within the blog. 

 

How to Download Items from PlayStation Store

Before you actually see any download items in the game, you must first import them from the Title screen. After you purchase and downloaded the item from the PlayStation store, start up your game and select 'Import"

Select the third option, "ダウンロードアイテムインポート" Download Item Import, to start the process.

 

Select the first option, "インポートアイテムの選択" Import Item Selection.

 

Select the items you want to import. The first page will list weapons, the second page will list clothing. When you select an item, its name will grey out.

 

After selecting the items you want to import, Select the second option "インポートの実行"  to start importing. It will pop up another screen which will say that the save data needs to be updated, select はい to start.

Phantasy Star Portable 2: Pizza Hut Weapons and Evangelion Longinus Passwords

Ricardo 3 Comments

Today, the 2nd half of passwords for Evangelion and Pizza Hut were released to the public. Evangelion codes include Plug Suits for Rei Ayanami, and the Lance Of Longinus. In fact the Lance of Longinus password was actually revealed last week, but we decided not to spill the beans too early. In the case of the Fanta collaboration codes, Coca Cola released all of them when they were leaked before the intended time. 

Rebuild of Evangelion Part 2

Dress up like Rei Ayanami in Phantasy Star Portable 2

1878 1121　プラグスーツ・レイ(服・女性用)  Plugsuit Rei (Female Clothes)
1878 1122　プラグスーツ・レイ(パーツ・女性用)  Plugsuit Rei (Female Parts)
3190 0002　ロンギヌスの槍(武器・スピア) Lance of Longinus (Spear)

Lance of Longinus in Phantasy Star Portable 2!

 

CollaboHut

Pizza Hut Weapons in Phantasy Star Portable 2!

Today a few passwords were released for Pizza Hut, this includes two weapons, a slicer and a shield! To obtain these items you must enter a code in your vision phone. Since none of us actually live in Japan, we'll just post the codes for you!

Deluxe Pizza: Slicer (C)
デラックスピザ(スライサー)
8590 3168

 

Pizza Hut Gourmet Box: Shield (C)
ピザハットグルメボックス (シールド)
5381 7860

 

Blog Updates

  • All major PSP2 characters appear as 3D figures in Toro Station.
  • Fun!Fan! 8 will be filmed at Little Wing Grand Prix.