Phantasy Star Universe to be featured in...

[Dreamknight]

Next month's issue of EGM!

I can't wait, I'm definatly going to have to pick up the issue from newstands to see what all the hubbub is about!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/Dlem719/2005_0227pso0001.jpg
*photo from PSOworld.

[Valkysas]

RPG Maker General?

[Valkysas]

BOOT.

[Dreamknight]

I thought I put this in the bush forum....

:lol whoops!

[Naruto]

Here's hoping we get both a new PS (something like PS5) and PSO2 in one game like the trailer hinted at.

[Nixon]

Yeah, I just read that today (finally wrestled the EGM away from Dave) and was very excited.

ME WANTEE! :D

[gray]

oh mah goodness

[Karim]

Yeah, I'm very interested to see what this game is going to look like...

Though I'd still rather see them make another phantasy star rpg to continue the series. :\ Oh well, we'll at least have the remakes in another year or so...

[RPGD]

Seems like it.

I'll probably give it a go to start off my online gaming.

[jspaceman]

i think SERGE posted this a while back...but if anyone
missed it, here is the movie clip.

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/top.html

[SERGE]

Yeah after a great holiday away from online gaming this game will bring me back.
I am all over it like a fat kid on a smartie.
I actually will take my vacation time at work to spend 2 weeks with it when it first comes out.
The questions remain though...what system is it on? or is this for next generation?
Nobody has seen the game running and from some rumblings from PSO World

Apparently Phantasy Star Universe is still only in the story board development stages. No indication of if the game engine has even begun to be worked on

I just don't buy that news...nearly a year of storyboarding but it's in next months EGM? bah to that.
In any event me and my penis are looking forward to it.

[Naruto]

Yeah, if it's going to be on EGM you can bet there's going to be screenshots and plenty of info on it. Also, FMV doesn't come out of nowhere. They've obviously done some modeling and not just storyboards.

[Naruto]

On PS2 and PC this Winter according to this scan (little white box. no new screens btw). I guess I'll go with the PC version for the better graphics. How about you guys? I'm kind of dissappointed that it's not coming to GC after how PSO EP I & II sold almost as much as PSO did on DC and also sold better than it did on any other platform after DC.

http://img163.exs.cx/img163/390/psu2qe.jpg

[Denmo]

This winter probably only in Japan. If that's true, we won't see it till next Spring.

And WTF is it with that damn pirate!?!

[Naruto]

That doesn't prove anything. I'm not certain that it is an MMORPG (I wouldn't consider PSO "massively multiplayer" either), but it is confirmed that it will be online. It could also have an online mode like PSO and an offline, more traditional style RPG mode.

"Phantasy Star Online 2? Phantasy Star V?"

[Denmo]

Just because it has a hero and specific characters doesn't mean it's not MMORPG. Just look at FFXI, or did you forget about that already?

[Naruto]

If there are preset player characters then they will be part of the offline mode. It says right there in the EGM scan "We don't want to give too much away about the online play and profile configuration, but we're going to leave you with one word: breasts." Why would you configure a profile and put breasts on a premade character?

[John Mora]

I hope it's offline.

[Nixon]

KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!

[SirTMagus]

So the game will be heavy with breast?

[Dreamknight]

Personally, I'd be perfectly happy if it were just PSO with a major graphics overhaul.

[Caciss]

I'm just happy with the breasts.

[Vonwert]

I would like to play a regular PS game...but a part of me wants a online game...(x-box version....)

[Translucid]

Any of you guys see this?

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/17/news_6120622.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6120622

Personally I want it to be a Phantasy Star V.

[Naruto]

Big interview from EGM posted at 1Up. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3138974&did=1

[Vonwert]

Now I am confused....

In the first article, it sounds like it will be a straight rpg, no online feature....


But in the second article, it sounds like it will be an online game.....


So confused....

[Naruto]

I hadn't even seen that. It sounds like GS is just throwing out some wild speculation based on the little info found in the Jump scan I posted earlier.

some other info from various sources.

- server side saving like other MMORPGs
- PS2 and PC confirmed
- Offline and Online modes confirmed
- Does not use the PS2 HDD
- true sequel to PSO according to the line on the EGM's cover

[SERGE]

Hey Naruto you must have seen this posted on GA.
This makes life very confusing.
*edit* missed that this was posted already.
I need some more details as I am dying for another online game.
Phantasy Star Universe will take place throughout the Graal solar system, which consists of three planets and various races such as the Numans. After a century of peace following a lengthy period of war, civilization now faces an invasion from a new alien force named the SEED, which has begun attacking different colonies in space.

Two of the main characters will be Ethan Weaver and Karen Era. Fans may remember Ethan as the brown-haired youth who appeared in the trailer from the E3 presentation. The purple-haired Karen was also featured in the same trailer but has since gone through some character design changes.

Ethan is a 17-year-old trainee at a planetary security organization named the Guardians, and Karen works as his instructor there. Ethan and Karen, along with some friends, are charged with the duty of protecting humanity from the mysterious alien life forms.

Because Phantasy Star Universe has been promoted as a new installment to the Phantasy Star RPG series and has a solid storyline, it's a good bet that the game will play as a stand-alone title rather than an online game like Phantasy Star Online series.

[Naruto]

I'm thinking the offline game will be a story driven RPG set in the same world as the online game in which you use one of those characters in the scans and you just create a character to play online with.

[SERGE]

First screen shots from http://phantasystaruniverse.com/
Looks great kinda using the PSO look, can't wait to see more.

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/swf/screen/universe_00.jpg

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/swf/screen/universe_01.jpg

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/swf/screen/universe_02.jpg

[Naruto]

Awesome!

[Nixon]

*drools*

I can't wait!

[Fushigi na Renamon]

I've harbored a dislike of Phantasy Star games for my entire life *dodges tomatoes* but this looks really fun. I'll see what it's like when Gus inevitably gets it and ignores me for a year. :D

I had so much fun playing FFXI with you wacky people that I might be willing to pick it up just to be with you. :heart

[Nixon]

PSO was the first Phantasy Star game I played, and I was hooked. It was so much fun because you can literally get online and play for as long as you want, whenever.

There is no need for a team unless you want to take on higher difficulty levels and tougher bosses. You can get online, slaughter innocent space creatures in beautiful landscapes, and head back to the lobby for some symbol chat/chair race fun.

I have since played the first phantasy star and started on the second... but never finished. I enjoyed both games, but PSO is very different than the RPGs.
If they keep it in the same vein as PSO, it should be something that everyone can enjoy.

[Fushigi na Renamon]

^_^ I watched Gus play the original PSO. While I thought it looked boring, I loved how you could golf swing and fall down for no apparent reason. THAT looked like fun. :lol

It sounds cool, Nix. PSU looks really good!

[Nixon]

Don't foget the crazy mags and weapons! Mags are ADORABLE and useful, they are little stat-boosting buddies that you can adjust to fit your needs. I had a mag that would often (9 times out of 10) revive me from death! How cool is that?! Also, you could get special mags that evolve over time, as well as mags that look like CHAOS (from Sonic adventure) and old school SEGA game systems (I <3 Dreamcast mag).

Nothing compares with slaughtering a room full of ragol creatures with an electric guitar weapon called "CRAZY TUNE." The rangers mostly had the big guns, but could use double sabers and other melee weapons. My Fomar had a booma head on a stick (mouth still moves) as well as other crazy "force" (read:magic) weapons. The armor you can get is also wild, like the SMOKING PLATE that made my Fonewn look incredibly funky.

I'll find the link to PSOworld and you can check out all the crazy weapons/armor if you like.

I am really excited about this game and I hope that with server side saving, there will be less of the cheating that ruined the PSO experience for me.

[RPGD]

This is one online game I plan on getting.

[SERGE]

Some info from John tv from the GA forums about PSU from the new egm.
- Independent Offline and Online modes confirmed

- Offline is a full-on 40-hour single-player RPG -- I guess this is where the "Is it Phantasy Star V?" bit came from in the E3 trailer last year

- Online is basically a true sequel to PSO, but apparently it's NOT an MMORPG. EGM says there'll be more party members than PSO, but they don't clarify how many

- Character creation system is apparently very nice (that's where the "breasts" comment came from, I guess)

- Class system is very different from PSO's, more open-ended

- They feature two pages on offline, two pages on online, and an interview with Yuji Naka. Lots of new screens, too

[Nixon]

Online is basically a true sequel to PSO, but apparently it's NOT an MMORPG. EGM says there'll be more party members than PSO, but they don't clarify how many

I'm not sure what they are talking about here... if it's able to handle more party members per area, then it would be more of a MMORPG than the first one... I guess I'll find out once Dave's latest EGM arrives in the mailbox.

[Dreamknight]

As long as it's got at least something that's LIKE the excellent battle system, and features some sort of PC/PS2 connectivity so I can play with my friends, I'm happy

[Denmo]

Yeah, that's all I need, really.

And PSO wasn't an MMORPG either, so I expect this to be somewhat the same.

[Naruto]

Sounds good to me. After seeing that shot of the lobby I guess we're getting another game like PSO with separate areas and stuff and not a big open world like FFXI or WOW which is what I was hoping for.

[Naruto]

Check these out!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU1.jpg

[SERGE]

Ha! you beat me to it!
But the screens are killer!
The pc version will look like that but I wonder what the PS2 version will look like.

[Naruto]

:lol

Looks a lot like PSO huh? Our good friend the dragon seems to be back from the dead. Again! And is that a monster getting knocked on his ass instead of dropping right where it died? Revolutionary! :lol Those worlds do seem a hell of a lot bigger than PSO's though. I don't see any walls around.

[Dreamknight]

I can't wait! :D :D :D

[SERGE]

Revolutionary!
http://members.shaw.ca/johnstyle/PSXX1.jpg

[Nixon]

EXPRESSWAY- EXPLODE~!

I am so excited.... in the words of the Rev...

I WANT IT NOW!


YEAH!

[The_Real_Crunk]

Since im a cheap bastard, if there is no online fee, I'll hook up with you guys and kick some monster ass.


But if there is. :(

[Nixon]

There will probably be a fee. In order to maintain the servers/manage updates/etc, they have to charge us to play.

Hopefully, it will be around $9.95 a month or less.

I remember playing bomberman online with the dreamcast. No fee to play, and there were always lots of people (albiet from other countries) online to game with. You could customize your bomberman and I think around eight or more players could be trying to blow eachother up at once...

Good times. I heard a rumor that hudson refused to release the game unless there were no online fees, but I could be mistaken.

[The Dark Jester]

Man I loved PSO on the DC and I will reserve this and play it like mad balls.

I cant wait.

VEHICLES!11

VEHICLES!

[SERGE]

Some more tidbits from a guy called Soul4ger on the GA forums.

Offline
Offline - 40-hour quest. It's a linear story, but you can explore the world as you please. It has everything you'd expect from an actual RPG -- huge towns, more than 20 dungeons, more than 15 bosses. You can have up to three members in your party, and while you don't directly control them, you can assign them commands. The single-player mode will have cutscenes, dialogue, an in-depth story, character development, etc., etc. Some people will have to join you for missions, but when you just want to explore and build levels, you can apparently select anyone to go with you. By the end of the game, you'll end up exploring three planets. It starts on the hume world, Parum, which gets attacked by weird aliens. You visit Neudaiz, a water world of "newman people," and Motwob, the planet of the beast people - desert planet. THe main character's name is Ethan Waber. He decides to fight because his sister gets attacked. Gameplay remains relatively similar to PSO, but there will be more puzzles and stuff in dungeons -- and not just flipping switches.



Online
No longer jobs, just character races. Each of the four races has its own strengths, but you can develop them as you see fit. For example, casts are the best with guns, but that doesn't mean you can't build up their other characteristics and make them good magicians. Character customization is apparently incredibly improved. You can change colors of lips, eyebrows, eyes, hair, clothes, shoes, you can mold faces and bodies, create large or small breasts, make them firm or jiggly. That's an example the lead artist gives. HDD is NOT supported, because Sony pulled the support. It looks substantially better on the PC, and EGM recommends that version. Voice chat, regardless, has not been confirmed, for either platform.

Combat remains relatively similar to PSO, but there are differences, There are six-hit combo strings now, but you insert custom technique attacks into the combos to change them up. Strafing has been adding, and button-timing is supposed to be quick, for combat. Like John said, the number of party members is much higher, but Sega hasn't revealed how many it will be yet. Characters can dual wield different weapons now, so a gunner can have a short range gun and a long-range one equipped at the same time. Mags are gone, robot partners are in. Downloadable content will be more frequent and more substantial.

And PSO Blue Burst is coming this Summer, the mag says it's "free," but you just have to pay the $13 Hunter's Fee.

One last thing I forgot, vehicles are included.

[Denmo]

make them firm or jiggly
:lick

[Dreamknight]

City of Heroes level customization in a PSO world? Where do I sign up?

[Fushigi na Renamon]

:lol

Sounds like fun! I could make an even cuter elf boy than I did in FFXI. :lick

[Vonwert]

I wonder what robot partners mean?

[jspaceman]

no idea, but i have had this
deep rooted dungeon fantasy
about Serge's fem-bot for eons!

make it so! :D

[The Toecutter]

I just might migrate from FFXI to PSO...

[Kefka Jr.]

Tits, vehicles, dual-wielding and robot partners on multiple consoles? HOLY--

What have they said about cross-console connectivity? Or did I miss that?

[Vonwert]

I'll most likely play out as a ranger type. Since I like shooting.

I'll probably plunk down the money for the online mode.

[Caciss]

Hopefully I'll pick this up, but sadly not for the PC. Ranger for me.

[The Dark Jester]

Rangers are the bomb!

[Nixon]

HELL YEAH.

So Dave got the new EGM today, but he's being an EGM HOG. WTF. He knows how important this is to me... IT'S ON THE F*CKING COVER!!!

He's been reading it for over an hour now.

Should I just beat him up and take it?

[RPGD]

Only if you can hide the body for a few days.

[Nixon]

I don't want to kill him. He's player two.

[RPGD]

Who said anything about killing him?

Drugging him is the way to go. Got any cloroform?

[Nixon]

No need, he eventually finished reading it.

So it looks like this is going to be something I will purchase on launch, most likely for the PC.

I like the customization ideas mentioned. The customizable robot assistants sound cool as well. Apparently, they can join you in battle and fill up spots if you need people. I just hope the AI is decent.

You can also duel wield weapons (guns and swords) for distance/melee combat.

[gray]

sounds like something i'll be getting.

[Nixon]

I'm sure I can get a controller for the PC that will fit my needs. I might still go with the PS2, but I had trouble with lag on FFXI and I'm not sure I trust the PS2 to be able to handle this.

Also, I want the lush visuals the PC is able to offer.

[Vonwert]

I don't have the modem problems that I did with FFXI, so I will be fine :) A new modem fixed that problem.

[RPGD]

Who wants to help me build a time machine so we can head to the future and get our hands on this game?

Here's a quick, simple time-travel method:

1. Put on a helmet with the top cut off, covering only the sides of your head.

2. Attach an alarm clock or something similar to it.

3. Place something very hard on a rather loose swing supported on a ceiling by some poorly-knotted strings.

4. Tie a rope to the swing.

5. Pull the rope. You will feel a slight odd sensation for a very brief period. When you wake up, you should be some time in the future. Repeat as necessary. Awakening isn't guaranteed.

For a safer method, resort to Jack Daniel's time-travel syrup.

[Nixon]

No way, I'll just go find Doc and give the old guy some hard liquor, then he can install the flux capacitor in my broken down honda and I'll go grab enough copies for all of us while he's still tanked.

[RPGD]

Close enough, just don't give Terr any ideas.

Back on topic, I plan on getting it for the PC. There are a number of PC controler vendors nearby, so I've little to worry about.

[Riotsword]

OMG Finally, a GOOD new PS game. C.A.R.D. Revolution for GC was an atrocity.

Is it or isn't it for the PC? TELL MEEEE....

Regardless, I WILL get this game.

[RPGD]

It's for both the PS2 and the PC, as mentioned prior.

[Nixon]

While I didn't care too much for the C.A.R.D. PSO, I wouldn't call it an atrocity. I enjoyed playing it, although not as much as regular PSO (ver1&2, ep I&II). The heroside boss was very tough.

[Dreamknight]

I still gotta get episode 3 myself...

And make sure you don't hurt the time-space continum too much, a book of sports games make Biff Tanner an 80's mogul!

*wakes up one day with PSU on computer....and John Mora bots patroling the streets*

:(

[SirTMagus]

*Magus bots follow the Mora bots patting each one's fanny* :gay

[Caciss]

I can't wait till that day!

[Goufunaki]

I was reading about this in my EGM, and it sparked an interest. o.O
Will PSU offer a free trial period?
It'd be cool seeing a lot of you guys again online, but even if I don't stick with it there will still be the offline mode for me.

[SirTMagus]

I just read the EGM article too.

Sounds BEEFY.

[Naruto]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU_L_EGM1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU_L_EGM2.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU_L_EGM3.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU_L_EGM4.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU_L_EGM5.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/shinnaruto/PSU/PSU_L_EGM6.jpg

If you don't like the quality, tough! Lower your resolution. Zoom in. Buy the mag. :)

[Vonwert]

I love the fact that you can decorate your room :)

I still want to know what the robot partners look like...

[SERGE]

no idea, but i have had this
deep rooted dungeon fantasy
about Serge's fem-bot for eons!
make it so!


O_o :lol
You know you want it sooo bad.....
And I want to give it to you sooo bad.....

[Naruto]

Some beautiful screens over at IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/articles/602/602628p1.html

http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/602/602628/phantasy-star-universe-20050407062955467.jpg

http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/602/602628/phantasy-star-universe-20050407062956686.jpg

http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/602/602628/phantasy-star-universe-20050407062957311.jpg

February 2006 release date. That's a long time. I wish I could go to E3 and play it.

[The Dark Jester]

And to think I gave up my pass to E3.

I would go just to play this.

[SirTMagus]

That's a pretty sweet looking game thar.

I hope the PC specs aren't outrageous.

[jspaceman]

in that case, february 2006 will be the
day i contact the mothership to beam me
out of FFXI and back where the spaceman
belongs!!!!!!!!

the time has come to take back outerspace.


j

[Goufunaki]

If it's 2006, then I will definitely be moving to PSU. :D
I know i'm not gonna play FFXI forever.

[Thief of Dreams]

ill see you all there!

[Goufunaki]

Does anyone have any more info about the races you can be in this game? All I've seen so far were that human dude and elf chick.

[Marc M.]

Im guessing they'll have the Androids or whatever they're called too.

[Nixon]

I'm not sure if they'll have 'casts in this game or not. I don't remember the article mentioning them... I hope they will be included...

I loved playing as a robot/droid/killbot/etc.

[Goufunaki]

Ooooh, I wanna be a robot. :)

Goufunaki 2.0

[Goufunaki]

I just found a trailer for PSU, in case no one saw it yet.

http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=905

[SirTMagus]

JUST STARTED................?

Wish it showed some gameplay.

[Dreamknight]

The trailer is a year old :|

[The Dark Jester]

JUST STARTED................?

Wish it showed some gameplay.

I wish you showed some gameplay.

[jspaceman]

try whats in my pants.

:lol

[Naruto]

Lots of new shots here http://phantasystaruniverse.com/ in the screens section. Here's one. :)

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/image/screen/universe_18.jpg

[Smurvis]

I found this, not sure how valid it is and whether or not you people have seen it. Also, according to 1up.com, PSU is coming out in NA on Nov. 20, 2005. :lol Everyone else says JP Q4 2005, NA Q2 2006. Anyway, here's the info:

--------------------
Offline - single player

Here's some specific tidbits for offline, as requested by someone in my EGM rumors thread:

Offline - 40-hour quest. It's a linear story, but you can explore the world as you please. It has everything you'd expect from an actual RPG -- huge towns, more than 20 dungeons, more than 15 bosses. You can have up to three members in your party, and while you don't directly control them, you can assign them commands. The single-player mode will have cutscenes, dialogue, an in-depth story, character development, etc., etc. Some people will have to join you for missions, but when you just want to explore and build levels, you can apparently select anyone to go with you. By the end of the game, you'll end up exploring three planets. It starts on the hume world, Parum, which gets attacked by weird aliens. You visit Neudaiz, a water world of "newman people," and Motwob, the planet of the beast people - desert planet. THe main character's name is Ethan Waber. He decides to fight because his sister gets attacked. Gameplay remains relatively similar to PSO, but there will be more puzzles and stuff in dungeons -- and not just flipping switches.


Okay, online:

No longer jobs, just character races. Each of the four races has its own strengths, but you can develop them as you see fit. For example, casts are the best with guns, but that doesn't mean you can't build up their other characteristics and make them good magicians. Character customization is apparently incredibly improved. You can change colors of lips, eyebrows, eyes, hair, clothes, shoes, you can mold faces and bodies, create large or small breasts, make them firm or jiggly. That's an example the lead artist gives. HDD is NOT supported, because Sony pulled the support. It looks substantially better on the PC, and EGM recommends that version. Voice chat, regardless, has not been confirmed, for either platform.

Combat remains relatively similar to PSO, but there are differences, There are six-hit combo strings now, but you insert custom technique attacks into the combos to change them up. Strafing has been adding, and button-timing is supposed to be quick, for combat. Like John said, the number of party members is much higher, but Sega hasn't revealed how many it will be yet. Characters can dual wield different weapons now, so a gunner can have a short range gun and a long-range one equipped at the same time. Mags are gone, robot partners are in. Downloadable content will be more frequent and more substantial.

And PSO Blue Burst is coming this Summer, the mag says it's "free," but you just have to pay the $13 Hunter's Fee.

__________________________________________

-Basic Translation of the main PSU site (it's in Japanese): http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japang...topic.php?t=615

---Part of Article from EGM
http://www.gameraddicts.com/forums/files/page5_179.jpg

---From EGM Article
-No classes, you just choose a race and develop skills to your liking.
- You can Duel Wield Swords and Guns.
- All guns can be fired from a first person perspective
- "The maximum natural combo for a weapon is a six-hit," says Saki. "But you can also insert technique attacks into the combo to make it longer."
-Compared to PSO, the reaction time between pressing the button and your characters movement is FASTER.
- New Side Step Movement (think Zelda)
- More than 4 people per game (rumored 65)
- New Vechiles: Hover Boards, Hoverbikes, LARGGE ANIMALS, Tank (can use online with friends)
- Mags have been replaced with Robots who help during combat as well as manage items.

Last but certainly not least...

-Pictures~
http://games.kikizo.com/news/200503/109.asp
---------------------------

[Nixon]

I've seen most of that info before, but I still love to think about it some more.

Mags have been replaced with Robots who help during combat as well as manage items.

WOOO YEAH.

[Goufunaki]

So I get to be a robot that can wield guns, and I get a little helper robot to mold into a killer?

Sweeeeeeeet. :)

[Naruto]

New screens and impressions at IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/articles/611/611874p1.html

They say they played a bit of the single player and it sounds freaking sweet.

[RPGD]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/phantasystariv/news_6121946.html

Spring release. Expensive season for gamers. L33t.

[RPGD]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/phantasystariv/preview_6126357.html

Hands-on report!

[Nixon]

The link isn't working for me.

[RPGD]

Try it now.

[Nixon]

Thanks, Santos.

[RPGD]

Interview! News! Stuff! LOTS! PSU!

IGN: Phantasy Star Online came out on GameCube, Xbox and PC. Why have you decided to bring Universe to the PS2 instead of the GameCube or Xbox?

Miyoshi: At the time of PSO, when considering whether to develop for the PS2 or GameCube, we felt that we could release something of higher quality on the GameCube, and so we made GameCube the main platform. And then, we ported the GameCube version to the Xbox. However, for PSU, we felt that we could reach a wider audience by moving over to the PS2 and the PC.


IGN: PS2 doesn't have a network program in place like Xbox Live. Has this caused any problems?

Miyoshi: Xbox has stronger online capabilities for sure -- there's no question about that. It might be okay to launch PSU on Xbox for the US market, but not for the Japanese market. Knowing what Final Fantasy XI has done in Japan with Online gameplay, I feel that the user base is there, so I feel strongly that PSU will appeal to the PS2 audience. In addition, PSU offers a tremendous amount of Offline content. Even with PSO, a lot of people played mostly Offline mode. I would say something like 20% or so played Online. However, for PSU we put a lot of emphasis on Offline to make this a standalone Offline RPG -- that's the core of the game. In addition to that, we added the Online features.


IGN: So is there an Xbox version under consideration?

Miyoshi: There's no plan yet. Although if we did it, it would be on Xbox 360 and not Xbox.

IGN: [rubs hands together in anticipation...]

Miyoshi: There are a tremendous number of Xbox users in America, so we would definitely like to do it, although nothing is decided yet.


IGN: Will the PS2 and PC versions of the game be released at the same time?

Miyoshi: If we can.


IGN: Specifically regarding the PS2 version, when can we expect to play it?

Miyoshi: No dates have been set yet, but in general we will launch the Japanese version first and the US version second.

IGN: So no chance for a Christmas release? Pretty please?

Miyoshi: It hasn't been decided yet.


IGN: What advantages will the PC version have over the PS2 version?

Miyoshi: Phantasy Star is, of course, a console brand, and it's known as a game that you play with the game controller. PSU was created with the controller in mind, so it feels natural when you play using the game controller. As for the PC, you can also plug in a game controller so you get the same experience. In addition, you will get better graphics and higher resolution.


IGN: Will the content be the same between the two?

Miyoshi: Yes, the content will be the same.


IGN: In terms of downloads and updates, will you take advantage of the PC's hard drive, or maybe even the PS2's hard drive?

Miyoshi: In general, we'd like to keep the content same as the PC. There will be downloadable quests, but as far as new maps or patches or things like that, we're not planning that.


IGN: Will the quests, then, be saved to your Memory Card?

Miyoshi: They will be downloaded directly to your PS2's memory before play.


IGN: Can PC players play against PS2 players?

Miyoshi: This is often asked, but I can't say for certain yet. Technically, it's possible, and if we can, we'd like to do it.


IGN: The PS2 has one advantage over the PC -- the PSP. Will it be possible to connect to the PSP? Or maybe even Phantasy Star Online for the PSP?

[ Miyoshi laughs ]

IGN: If you tell us off the record, we won't tell anyone...

[ Miyoshi exchanges lots of talk in Japanese with the Sega of America representatives making IGN wonder what in the world they're chatting about. ]

Miyoshi: No plans as of now.


IGN: Moving on to gameplay, what is the most important change you made to Phantasy Star Online when creating Phantasy Star Universe?

Miyoshi: The biggest difference that we made for PSU concerns the lobby structure. The structure in PSO was just a lobby where you would go to chat with other members, but in PSU we've created an entire city whose sole purpose is to meet up with other people and to communicate. In a way it feels like a MMO (massively multiplayer Online game) where you have a city with tons of people roaming around, exchanging items, chatting and hooking up with parties to go on quests or head out to dungeons.


IGN: How many people can exist in this world at the same time?

Miyoshi: Somewhere around 100.


IGN: And then you'll have separate servers, of course...

Miyoshi: There will actually likely be more than 100 because the city itself will be divided into divisions or sections -- you know, different floors.


IGN: Floors? So can you take an escalator or an elevator or something to go between these floors?

Miyoshi: There are both escalators and elevators.


IGN: Are the floors different servers and the escalators and elevators jump between them?

Miyoshi: The floors, escalators and elevators stay on the same server. There's another terminal that allows you to jump to a separate server.

Each floor has its own function. The first floor will have people hanging out, like a park area. The second floor is structured more like an airport, with transportation. Third floor will have shops. The fourth floor will be the guardian headquarters. Guardians, by the way, are the main group that your character joins.


GN: Can you go into depth about the duel wielding system and the combat system in general?

Miyoshi: The biggest difference between PSO and PSU in combat style is the duel wielding system. You can now carry a gun in one hand and a sword in the other. This adds another layer to the strategy element. For PSO we used an Action Palette. In PSU, we have taken the Action Palette into each individual weapon so that each weapon has its own palette system through which you can improve the weapon as you play.


IGN: We assume combos feature heavily in the game...

Miyoshi: In PSO, you could have up to a three hit combo. In PSU, you can build your character to master up to six hits.


IGN: Can you use different weapons in mid combo?

Miyoshi: You can't change weapons during combos.


IGN: What's the deal with SUV weapons and Nanoblasts?

Miyoshi: I can't talk too much in detail about that at this point, but SUV weapons are a type of race that exists in the PSU world. Nanoblast is a part of the beast race, within the four races that exist in PSU. Nanoblast allows beasts to transform.


IGN: What kind of structure does the Offline mode have? Does it play out like a real RPG or is it mission based?

Miyoshi: The structure of the Offline mode is story based. We placed an emphasis on the story element of the Offline RPG. For a good RPG, story is an essential element. We basically went back to the roots of what makes a good RPG and wanted to create a solid, strong Offline RPG as a foundation and add the Online mode after that. To be honest, that was lacking in PSO. It had a great, fun multiplayer Online mode, but the story element was lacking for it to be considered a classic RPG.


IGN: Do you travel around from town to town and go through dungeons and what not, just like in the old Phantasy Star games?

Miyoshi: Not just towns, but the scale takes place in the universe, so you get to travel between planets -- it's really big.


IGN: And, of course, you've revealed that the planetary system is new.

Miyoshi: It's brand new, although we've taken the concept from the original Phantasy Star of having three planets. The idea of the number of planets came from the original Phantasy Star, although for PSU, we've also added Guardian's Colony, which is like a planet of its own. In reality, there are four worlds that you can travel to.


IGN: Does the Offline mode have a level-like structure? Can you go back to older dungeons once you've cleared them?

Miyoshi: The basic story mode doesn't have that kind of style, but we are making it so that the player has a lot of freedom without getting side tracked from the main story, as we really want the users to experience the story. We have yet to decide the details of the game modes yet, but it's not the case that you definitely won't be able to do that [replay older dungeons].


IGN: Are the dungeons and stages in Online mode based off the Offline mode stages?

Miyoshi: The world itself is the same as Offline, but the level of the enemies will vary.


IGN: In Online mode, can you chose to go to any part of the world with your friends as a part of missions or quests?

Miyoshi: Yes, you can select which planet or world you want to go to based on the quest that you pick.


IGN: Can you describe the team system in Online mode. Will players be able to form guilds and teams?

Miyoshi: There won't be a team system or guild system like in PSOBB (Blue Burst -- a recent PC update in the series). Just like PSO, you can save a guild card and send out party invites to your friend.


IGN: As a last question, what are Sonic Team's plans for the next generation of Phantasy Star after Universe?

Miyoshi: We're planning something, but we haven't determined what system or anything like that at this point.

[Gustaff 13]

Did anyone else's pants suddenly get really tight?

[Nixon]

I ripped my pants off while I was reading the article.

But this bothers me:
Even with PSO, a lot of people played mostly Offline mode. I would say something like 20% or so played Online.

:skeptical

[RPGD]

I'd consider that a good thing, if he believes such a small percentage of peoples played online, he'd end up souping up the online mode, despite the emphasis being the offline mode.

And he did. Come to think of it, with the offline world being the emphasis, and the online world being identical to the offline world, sweet stuff shall likely be imminent.

[The Toecutter]

I can't help but wonder just how large each of the planets are.

[Goufunaki]

You can now carry a gun in one hand and a sword in the other.

Sweeeet! :D




IGN: Can PC players play against PS2 players?

Miyoshi: This is often asked, but I can't say for certain yet. Technically, it's possible, and if we can, we'd like to do it.

Booooooooooo!! Just do it ya punk! :upset

[SirTMagus]

I look forward to it. PSO's been the only online RPG I could stand.

[The Toecutter]

I'd like to dual wield sub-machine guns. That would be sweet...

[Vonwert]

Transformation in the beast race sounds intriguing!

I will probably go dual guns.

[RPGD]

Me, too. I'm a guns person when it comes to games. That's why I almost never use Zero in the MMX games.

[Dreamknight]

I'm going to push you all down the escalators...

in the wrong direction!

[RPGD]

What if we take the elevators?

[Dreamknight]

I have ways...