Phantasy Star Online 2
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'Phantasy Star Online 2' heads to Steam August 5th
PC users can finally nab Phantasy Star Online 2 on Steam on August 5th.
'Phantasy Star Online 2' will finally come to North America next week
It's been a long time coming, but Phantasy Star Online 2 is set to make its North American debut this month. Japan's hotly-anticipated online action RPG will launch in open beta on Xbox One on March 17th. You'll be able to start downloading the client from March 16th.
One Shots: How to taze your dragon
We haven't seen a lot of Phantasy Star Online 2 pictures in these here parts, probably because the game isn't in these here parts (and may never be). Still, it's great to be tantalized by this rocking dragon vs. elemental forces screenshot. I think it could be used as a template for a new line of awesome Trapper Keepers. "It's a pretty sweet shot of me shooting a dragon in the face with lightning -- and it doesn't get much cooler than that!" reader Sean said. I concur. Want to be featured in a future edition of One Shots? Send your favorite MMO screenshots to oneshots@massively.com, and don't forget to include your name, the name of the game, and a description of the scene. Large, colorful, UI-free shots that tell a story and really show off the game make for the best images. Look ma, we brought back One Shots!
Phantasy Star Online 2's western release isn't a lost cause
Did you lose all hope of ever seeing Phantasy Star Online 2 in the west after it launched in Southeast Asia last spring with nary a peep about its arrival on this side of the Pacific? We did too. But a tweet sent by SEGA earlier this week gives us reason to doubt our doubts: PSO2 is still delayed. SEGA is currently working on bringing PSO2 to the West and will update as soon as we know more. It's not a launch date or even much of a promise, but at least it's confirmation that the western version hasn't been abandoned.
PSO2 English servers launching in SE Asia, SEGA can't talk about the game
MMO Culture reports that Phantasy Star Online 2's first English server will launch this week. Don't get too excited, though, because Asiasoft is aiming the service at players in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Phillippines. SEGA refuses to talk about what's next in terms of a possible western PSO2 client, even going so far as to list the game on its "things-we-can't-answer" slide at a recent convention. [Thanks alleomurand!]
Phantasy Star Online 2's beta ends in Southeast Asia
While Phantasy Star Online 2 is unreleased here in North America, the residents of Southeast Asia will soon get to experience the game in English. The servers for this version of the game are region-locked, but it's still as close as the game has gotten to a local release thus far. Curious about how it went? The team working for local publisher Asiasoft shared thoughts regarding the beta experience in a recent interview. The team states that while the game already has new race/class options available in Japan (as it has been out for some time), releasing these options in the localized version will depend partly on player progress. Tie-in events such as those found in the Japanese version are also nixed, as most of those cross-promotional events are strictly for Japanese marketing and wouldn't make much sense to the audience. For more details, take a look at the full interview.
Phantasy Star Online 2 gets English localization... in SE Asia
Phantasy Star Online 2 may not be coming to America any time soon, but an English version is coming to southeast Asia courtesy of publisher Asiasoft. MMO Culture took the newly localized client for a test drive and the site reports that the game's visual customization is outstanding, as is the English translation. The piece also has nice things to say about the game's combat from the perspective of a machine gun- and grenade launcher-wielding Ranger.
Phantasy Star Online 2 still out of sight for North America
Here's a question for the audience: Why isn't Phantasy Star Online 2 released in North America yet? The game is fully translated into English, it's going to be released in Southeast Asia in that language very shortly. It's been out in Japan for two years. About a year ago, Sega announced that the game's release in North America would be delayed with no further elaboration; as it stands, the company is still offering no rationale or explanation for the delay. The most obvious culprit would be legal issues, but Sega hasn't made any statements to indicate that there might be some sort of legal barrier to launching the game here. All that fans know is that the game is still unavailable, despite now having every sign of being ready for launch. So what's holding it back? We haven't the slightest idea. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console
Consoles and MMOs do not have the stand-offish relationship that they used to have. In fact, there are so many different MMOs to choose from on consoles that it's seriously tempting to pick up one of the new ones -- the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 -- even though I wasn't planning on it for a long, long time. I enjoy using a controller with MMOs so much that I plan on covering the subject more in the future. So let's get to the list of MMOs that are currently on consoles or that will be coming out on consoles in the near(ish) future. Massively's own Mike Foster put together a fantastic list last summer, but I thought I would update and pass it on. After all, the new consoles are officially here... so be sure to reference the list when you need a new MMO to play on your shiny new console!
Rumor: PSO2 may not be heading to the West, despite being 'fully localized'
It looks as though Sega has no plans to bring Phantasy Star Online 2 to Western markets after all. TSSZ is reporting that a source close to the publisher has revealed that while the game has been "fully localized" for an English release, that localization is aimed at English-speaking regions in Asia and not European or North American audiences. The source speculated that Sega may be concerned about PSO2's potential profitability in the West but was clear that whispers from its contacts in the company in no way represent an official cancellation of a Western release. Phantasy Star Online 2 has had no visible presence in the Western games community since it was shown at the 2012 Penny Arcade Expo. [Thanks to BGO for the tip!]
SEGA releases three new PSO2 videos and a roadmap for the future
It seems like just last week that SEGA launched Phantasy Star Online 2's Episode 2, Chapter 1, and that's because it was literally just last week. Expansion continues at a breakneck pace, with Episode 2, Part 2 receiving a reveal trailer today outlining the new costumes, maps, and gear to be added when that update goes live August 7th. But that's not all. Episode 2, Part 3 is already in the works, with an expected launch window of December 2013. SEGA also released two new commercials for Phantasy Star Online 2, one for the regular game and one for the Vita version. Both are weird. Check out the new trailer and commercials after the break.
Company of Heroes 2 shipped 380K in five days
Sega's consumer division, which handles its video game business, reported a small operating profit of ¥39 million, or just under $400,000, thanks in part to Company of Heroes 2, which shipped 380,000 copies in five days. MMORPG Phantasy Star Online 2 chipped in, reaching the 500,000 mark on Vita three months after coming to the portable in Japan, taking into account both physical and downloaded copies. The division saw a year-on-year decline in packaged software shipments across the period, despite the launches of Phantasy Star Online 2 on Vita and Company of Heroes 2, although the strategy sequel only had five days at retail to contribute. Sega Sammy announced a net profit of ¥12.9 billion for its first fiscal quarter ending June 30, which converts to around $132 million. The company's net profits reflected a sizable 409 percent year-on-year growth, which it partly attributed to sales of noncurrent assets.
Coming soon to a console near you: MMOs
Remember E3 2013? That huge video games conference thing from earlier in the summer? Weeks have passed since Microsoft and Sony squared off in the Los Angeles convention center (while Nintendo posted up at Best Buy and Ouya sulked in the parking lot), but the news made there continues to reverberate through the games industry. One curious trend seems to have been missed amid the clashing of proverbial titans: There sure are a lot of MMOs and online-focused games due on consoles this generation. And since MMOs are the business of Massively, we thought it might be fun to compile a quick list of all the ones we can find that are either already available on our current consoles or set for launch on the next batch. The list, as it turns out, is pretty extensive.
Phantasy Star Online 2 launches Episode 2, adds new race and class
The latest update for Phantasy Star Online 2 is officially live on Japanese servers, and with it come the game's fourth playable race and an all-new class. The new race, the Duman, are a natural mutation of humans with strange origins and seem to all be afflicted (or blessed) with heterochromia. The new class, known as the Braver, can choose between Katana or Bullet Bows as its primary weapon. Check out the seven-minute launch video after the jump, and bring along a Japanese translator. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Phantasy Star Online 2 Episode 2 trailer shows new race, planet
SEGA has released a high-def trailer for Phantasy Star Online 2's Episode 2 update. The clip introduces the Duman race, a new planet, and new weapons, too. The trailer runs for a solid four minutes, buy you'll need to bring your mad Japanese language skills if you want to understand the voiceovers and the UI. There's plenty of combat footage on display as well as glimpses of the game's character creation and various environments. Check it out after the cut.
Phantasy Star Online 2 English version coming to Southeast Asia
Despite the fact that Sega delayed Phantasy Star Online 2's North American launch earlier this year, fans of the game in Southeast Asia will be happy to hear that an English version is coming their way as well. A specific release date for either territory hasn't been given, but online game publisher Asiasoft has confirmed in an investor relations report (as reported by Gamespot UK) that they will be distributing both PSO2 and DC Universe Online to the Southeast Asia market. [Thanks to BGO for the tip!]
Sega Sammy posts fiscal net profit, Aliens: Colonial Marines shipped 1.3M [update]
Sega Sammy reported financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31 2013 today, noting a net profit of ¥33.5 billion, which converts to $331 million. The figure represents annual growth of 53.3 percent. However, the company's operating profit decreased year-on-year by 67.3 percent, down now to ¥19.1 billion, or $189 million. While Sega Sammy made significant net profit, largely through gains on the sales of "investment securities" and transfers of employees' pension benefits, the company noted decreased demand for packaged games in light of global economics. Sega Sammy said it must adapt to a market leaning towards games on social networks and smartphones. That decreased demand was coupled with a year of restructuring at Sega Sammy's US and European divisions. With less games coming out as a result, it's no surprise Sega Sammy saw decline in packaged software shipments, down to 10.8 million overall. They include 1.31 million units of the critically panned Aliens: Colonial Marines, as well as 1.36 million for Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed and 940,000 for Football Manager 2013. Meanwhile, Yakuza 5 shipped 590,000 units since its launch in Japan in December 2012. Sega Sammy's biggest success gaming-wise looks to be Phantasy Star Online 2. The PC and Vita MMO has a subscription base of over 2.5 million now, and the company said revenue from in-game purchasable items "exceeded forecasted levels." Sega Sammy forecasts it will ship 11 games on PC, 7 on Wii U, 7 on PS3, 6 on 3DS, 5 on Vita, 4 on Xbox 360, and 2 on PSP in the fiscal year ending March 31 2014 - of course there'll be some crossover there. The company estimates a 41 percent growth in net profit for the next fiscal year, up to ¥47 billion, or $464 million. Update: Sports Interactive's Miles Jacobson tweets Football Manager 2013 has now passed the 1 million mark for sales, having done so five months earlier than FM2012 did.
Sega delays Phantasy Star Online 2's North American launch
Phantasy Star Online 2 boasted some impressive user numbers late last year, but that's apparently not enough to keep the title from being delayed in the West. Publisher Sega "can officially confirm that PSO2 has been delayed," according to Polygon. The game was originally given an early 2013 North American launch window. Sega says that it does not have "any specifics but will update everyone as soon as there are more details to share." Phantasy Star Online 2 has been playable for over a year, and was even showcased at PAX Prime 2012.
Phantasy Star Online 2 tops a million registered players
Sega has announced that Phantasy Star Online 2 has topped one million registered users in its native Japan. This is up from 730,000 registrations last summer, at which point the game also boasted peak concurrent user numbers above 91,000. The firm is celebrating by doling out prizes to 100 players between October 17th and November 7th. Goodies include an Alienware laptop featuring a special PSO2 design, tickets to the Phantasy Star Series 25th Anniversary Concert, t-shirts, posters, and more.
Phantasy Star Online 2 notches 1 million registered players
Phantasy Star Online 2 has 1 million registered users in Japan, Sega today announced. Considering the online RPG has yet to reach Western shores, it's an impressive figure. Having said that, registration stats aren't the best indicator of active players; in July Sega announced 730,000 registrations along with a peak concurrent user number of 91,513.To celebrate the milestone, Sega is giving away prizes to 100 lucky players clocking in between October 17 and November 7. Up for grabs are tickets to the Phantasy Star Series 25th Anniversary Concert, 25th Anniversary Sound Collection CDs, signed posters, and commemorative t-shirts. Two extra players will also win a Alienware M14x laptop with a special PSO2 design.
