Satoshi-Sakai
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Phantasy Star Online 2 coming to NA and EU early next year [update: it's official!]
Looking forward to getting your grubby mitts on some hot Phantasy Star Online 2 action? Those in the west may have to be patient, but there's now a finish line in sight: Sega announced that PSO2 will hit North America and Europe in early 2013. According to the PR, producer Satoshi Sakai says that the wait will be worth it: "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." Phantasy Star Online 2 launched in Japan this past week. [Thanks to Tom for the tip!]
Phantasy Star Online 2 producer reveals new planet, open beta details
Phantasy Star Online 2's closed beta has caused a fair bit of excitement in the game's fan community. As open beta draws near, Sega is unveiling more of the MMO sequel's features. The next testing phase will feature a new desert planet called Liliipa, not to mention new story quests, new costumes, and something called a time attack quest. Fan site Bumped.org has the details on these and other reveals from last week's live event in Tokyo. PSO2 producer Satoshi Sakai also showed off a new snow zone on the planet Naberius. He told fans that the upcoming open beta will be level-capped at 30, while players at level 20 and above will have access to hard mode quests and encounters. PSO2 is currently in development for Windows, Android, and iOS platforms. The open beta is tentatively scheduled for "early summer 2012." [Thanks to Kassandra for the tip!]
'No regrets': Sega defends Phantasy Star Online 2's F2P model
Sega has "no regrets" about pursuing an aggressive free-to-play strategy for its upcoming Phantasy Star Online 2, according to series producer Satoshi Sakai. Sakai said that the developers were increasingly disturbed by the trend of F2P models promoting a pay-to-win environment and has decided to make PSO2 more fair to all players. "By allowing a well made game like PSO to be accessible [to] more people, we felt that we had a chance to teach people that 'This is what online RPGs are supposed to be like,'" Sakai said. "There is nothing that requires payment that will take away from the intrinsic game experience if [it is] not purchased." The devs have limited Phantasy Star Online 2's microtransactions to areas that are less likely to see abuse from players willing to trade cash for an in-game advantage over others. These areas include player room upgrades, more storage space, and trading features. Sakai sees Sega as a pioneer in this regard: "I honestly think that Sega is the only maker that is willing to go this far. Even if we fail, if we can get people to say 'They were five years ahead of their time' then I'll have no regrets. I believe that there's meaning in the challenge itself."
