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Phantasy Star open beta starts this weekend [update 1]
This weekend, Xbox Live users will be able to download Phantasy Star Universe and participate in an open beta until October 18. The download will be available for only two days, so keep an eye out if you're interested. The open beta was originally set to begin yesterday, with the download available October 11 and 12, and was also set to end October 18. Phantasy Star Universe will arrive October 24 for PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360. Online play will require a subscription fee of about $10 per month. Both Xbox Live Silver and Gold members can subscribe to online play, but Gold members will receive no discount. PSO-World has an exhaustive FAQ on the game, including online vs. offline play.[Thanks, Brandon][Update 1: It looks like Xbox Live aims to screw PSU fans. On top of the delay that took 2-3 days out of the open beta, the Xbox Live service will be down for "up to 24 hours" on October 17, during the beta test. At least there's offline play.]
Open beta for PSU starts this weekend [update 1]
Phantasy Star fans rejoice! The open beta of the upcoming Phantasy Star Universe is coming to Live Marketplace this weekend. There is no exact date listed for the beginning of the beta so, start looking for it on Marketplace tomorrow -- or you can feverishly check every five minutes, like me. The download will only be available for two days, so get it while the gettin's good. There is one caveat and a concern, though. The caveat: you must have Xbox Live Gold to participate -- though you'll only need Silver when the retail game ships. The concern: we have no idea whether or not you can retain your gained experience should you decide to purchase the retail version. Oh, one more thing, we can only assume that this is for North America only. European friends, let us know if you've got it in you're area. For more info on the beta, visit the official site.PSU ships on October 24th. Until then, happy hunting.[Thanks, Simon]Update: Contributor vid33nyc1 pointed us to a handy Q&A thread in the PSU forums that cleared up some questions. The beta will be available in the US, Europe, and Japan. Whatever happens in the beta, stays in the beta. No levels, items, etc. will carry over into the retail version.
Phantasy Star Universe open beta coming "very soon"
Very soon, Xbox Live Gold members will be able to download the Phantasy Star Universe beta. Earlier today, Sega announced that the open beta would begin tomorrow, be available to download for until Thursday, and be playable until next Wednesday (October 18). However, that has since been changed to "very soon" with a note from a site admin that the beta will be available "in the coming days."Sega "highly recommends" that players who join the beta tinker with the plethora of customization options. Not only do they promise fun, but it also helps them work out the kinks ahead of time. Featured in the beta will be three planets (Parum, Neudaiz, and Moatoob), three classes (Hunter, Ranger, and Force), and an unfurnished personal space aptly dubbed "My Room."We'll let you know when the official date is finalized. Phantasy Star Universe for Xbox 360 will land on store shelves October 24 (meaning any bugs you find will likely require a day-of-purchase online update).[Thanks for everyone who sent this in!]
Phantasy Star 2, Golden Axe SEGA Genesis Collection videos released
The Sega Genesis Collection videos just keep rolling in. There's already been four games shown, and now we get to see even more great games in action with Phantasy 2 and Golden Axe. Are you guys as excited for this badboy as I am? [Via IGN]
PSU isn't free after all
A few Ken weeks ago we brought you the rumor that Phantasy Star Universe just might be free to play on the Xbox 360. At the time we were hoping that SEGA would subsidize the game with horse armor microtransactions. Unfortunately, it looks like that's not the case. Rob from Orange Lounge Radio sent us the bad word this morning:" ... Sega sent an e-mail this week that corrected what they had earlier communicated to us about PSU being free online... it's now set to be $9.99 a month."$9.99 isn't that bad -- certainly better than some MMOs -- but it sure as hell isn't as nice as free. Oh, well. You can still count on seeing at least one of us 360 fanboys on there (i.e. me). Just think of it this way, we have the only version with voice chat. That's worth 10 simoleons, right?
Japanese software sales, August 21 - August 27: coup d'etat edition
Last week, in the land of the rising run, the DS reigned supreme. Unfortunately, however, Nintendo of Japan has one weakness: Role Playing Games. 1. Phantasy Star Universe - PS2 - 120,202 | NEW 2. New Super Mario Bros. - NDS - 72,763 | 2,974,027 3. More DS Brain Training - NDS - 46,662 | 3,119,857 4. Final Fantasy III - NDS - 45,949 | 549,001 5. Tingle RPG - NDS - 45,496 | NEW 6. Nintendo DS Talking Cooking Navi - NDS - 35,689 | 419,733 7. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 - NDS - 34,001 | 267,763 8. Animal Crossing : Wild World – NDS – 32,605 | 3,181,735 9. Rhythm Tengoku - GBA - 28,361 | 123,432 10. Tamagotchi Connexion Corner Shop 2 - NDS - 27,540 | 458,474 Yes, an RPG invariably ends up on this list upon its release in Japan, no matter how clichèd or unoriginal it may be. Final Fantasy III performed a similar feat last week, but looking at the impossibly attenuated sales, one can only assume they're running real short on copies over there. Oh well, we can't be kings forever, right? (This post in no way bashes Phantasy Star Universe or any of its fine publishers or developers. It's just that the game can't possibly be as cool as any other on this list. No hard feelings.)
Japanese TV spots for Phantasy Star
PSO World has posted some Japanese TV spots for SEGA's upcoming Phantasy Star Universe. Some of them have been seen before, but the one above is apparently new to Western eyes. The video quality isn't that great, and surprisingly it's not much better on the official Japanese site either. Still, we're starved for some more MMO lovin' and we'll take what we can get. The game is set to go on sale August 31st in Japan, with a US release planned later this fall. So, who's willing to make room for this next to Gears of War?
Sega does what Nintendon't on your PSP
If you're into classic games like me, you're probably eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console feature so that you can play not only some Nintendo games, but some Genesis games as well. For those of you Sony fanboys that'll avoid the Wii like its a smelly grandmother, there's finally an alternative: Sega Genesis Collection, a compliation of nearly thirty Genesis games is heading to the PSP. The disc will not only come loaded with the games, but exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. PSP owners can rejoice in knowing that an exclusive wireless multiplayer mode is being created just for them. Maybe it'll even support Game Sharing? (I hope so!) Here's the list of games: Alex Kidd Altered Beast Bonanza Bros. Columns Comix Zone Decap Attack Ecco the Dolphin Ecco: The Tides of Time Ecco Jr. Eternal Champions Flicky Gain Ground Golden Axe Golden Axe II Golden Axe III Phantasy Star II Phantasy Star III Phantasy Star IV Ristar Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi Shinobi III Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Super Thunderblade Sword of Vermillion Vectorman Vectorman 2 Virtua Fighter 2 Whoa... out of breath just reading that list. Visit 1up to see details about all of these classics.
PSU Famitsu scans get!
Xboxyde has posted some new scans of Phantasy Star Universe from the latest Famitsu. The scans feature some of the new monsters as well as the new "Partner Machinery" which will replace the MAG system from previous installments. Also featured are some of the new vehicles, including a mountable and adorable chocobo dinosaur. Unfortunately, as Famitsu insists on publishing all of its articles in Japanese, I can't read any of it. Anybody who knows more kanji than me, feel free to translate.
Takao Miyoshi Talks Phantasy Star Universe
Hey folks. I'm the new guy, and this is my inaugural post. My inaug-u-post, if you will. Enjoy.During E3, the fine people of PSO World sat down with Takao Miyoshi, producer of Phantasy Star Universe, and asked him a few questions. The interview covers some of the new features in the game, including race specific special abilities, player controlled vehicles (!), and the new player lobbies. The new lobbies will actually encompass entire cities and can host up to 1,000 players. The vehicles are varied and include tanks, jet skis, and even mountable beasts that breathe fire. When asked about the possibility of cross-platform play (the PC and PS2 servers already support it), Mr. Miyoshi said only, "It is actually something that is not finalized." Not finalized? That means there's hope right?Whether or not 360 owners will be able to school PC and PS2 players, they can rest easy in the knowledge that voice chat will be 360 exclusive when the game ships this fall.
Phantasy Star Universe hits Xbox 360 in '06
An update to Sega's seminal Phantasy Star series has been announced: Phantasy Star Universe. The title will be released on multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 2, PC, and--notably--the Xbox 360. With full Xbox Live support, Sega of America's VP of marketing says, "gamers can enjoy a fantasy role-playing experience of unprecedented depth both online with their friends, and offline in the robust single-player game."While the PS2 version will undoubtedly prove very popular, the integration of Xbox Live in the 360 release will provide the seamless experience that the ambitious Phantasy Star Online never quite accomplished on it's various platforms, including on the Dreamcast. Like that title, it will have "two complete RPG experiences": a 40-hour single-player action adventure, and an online multiplayer component supporting up to six players.Phantasy Star Universe is scheduled for release this Fall, offering the Xbox 360 another strategic weapon in the upcoming holiday console wars.
