Month: March 2012

At the end of April, 2012, you will be allowed to play the Closed Beta test for Phantasy Star Online 2. Since the previous version, several improvements have been added based on user feedback. In addition, some new elements have been added to the game. Applications for the Closed Beta will begin today, Monday, March 26th, 2012 at 16:00 JST!

If you participate in the Closed Beta test, if any of your characters reach level 10 in any class level, you will receive special gifts when the Open Beta starts. This gift is a room item called "Weapon Hologram". In the open beta test, your character data is saved and ported to the official game.

The weapon hologram will display a hologram
of a weapon you have obtained.

Phantasy Star Online 2 will be released on 3 platforms, Windows PC, Vita, and Smartphones. Each version will be a free download, and the standard game will be free to play. Some items will be cash items.

As with previous tests, the closed beta will compromise of discovering bugs, adjusting game balance, and to completely increase the satisfaction of the game towards its users.

The closed Beta test will mainly focus on these two areas:

• To test the basic game system. This includes testing new elements such as the Matter Board, Client Orders, and Emergency Quests. To discover bugs, and receive feedback.
• The implementation of the system to purchase Cash Items, and to purchase them with the in game currency known as Arks Cash. The price of the Arks Cash items are not finalized in this version. All players will receive 10000AC to use freely on whatever they desire.
  

The details about the OPEN beta test will be revealed after the Closed Beta Test.

• The closed beta test data will be deleted and will not be used in the official game.
• You can not use the data from the second alpha test in this version either.

Closed Beta Test Recruiting Time

•  3/26/2012 16:00JST  ~ 4/16/2012 18:00 JST

Participants

• 100,000 people

Recruitment

• Japanese Residents
• Minimum Requirements Met
• Those who played Alpha Test 2, and got their class level up to 10. Except those who violated the agreements laid out in Alpha Test 1 or Alpha Test 2.
• Those who didn't register for either tests can register for the Closed Beta
• You must register for both a SEGA ID, and PSO2 service that's included in the signup process.

Beta Test Starting Date

• End of April. (Dates revealed later.)

Winner Announcements

• Winners will be announced before the closed beta starts through emails.

Special Gift

• Those who take part in the closed beta will receive a special room item called the "Weapon Hologram" at the Open Beta Test.

Those who win will be notified by email. Emails will be sent out over the course of a few days to avoid download congestion. You can not download the client until you receive the emails.

 

Closed Beta Minimum Requirements

• OS: Windows XP/Vista/7  32 bit OR Vista/7 64 bit
• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
• RAM: Windows XP：1.5GB or more
• RAM: Vista/7：2GB or more
• HDD: 8GB or more
• RESOLUTION: 1280×720
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 7800GT  or similar or more.
• SOUND:  DirectX 9.0c or higher

The closed beta minimum requirements are different from the official game.

 

Signup

To signup for the closed beta you must create a SEGA ID and complete the registration for Phantasy Star Online 2. You can signup for a SEGA ID at this site and complete registration. Please note you should have some Japanese knowledge with Katakana if you need to enter a captcha. If it asks that it needs a Japanese enabled browser to continue, in Firefox go to Tools > Options > Content > Languages (Choose) > Add Japanese to the list.

 

After signing up select Phantasy Star Online 2 Registration button.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Closed Beta section is highlighted in purple here.

 

Reaching this page may require you to enter Japanese CAPTCHA.
Here you will register for the Closed Beta.

 

If you have already registered for Alpha Test 1 and Alpha Test 2 there is no need to register for a SEGA ID or register for PSO2 again.

Phantasy Star Online 2 has been announced for Windows PC, PlayStation Vita, and Smartphone devices. Everyone can connect to the game at anytime, anywhere! This Media Briefing recap will update as Japanese news media update their sites.

 

PC Version

The PC version is the main flagship platform for Phantasy Star Online 2, where everyone can enjoy playing it on even low end systems.

Currently the plans are to release the PC version in the summer.

 

Vita Version

The Vita version is primarily for portable players, that shares the same data with the PC version, and can also play together with them at the same time. Unlike Playstation 2, Playstation Vita can support large scale system updates and system modifications. In addition, there are measures to prevent against cheating because the character data is stored online.

 The Vita version will release sometime in 2013. 

 

Smartphone Version

The Smartphone version also shares the same server data on other versions of  PSO2, you can play the game independently from PC/Vita. The Smartphone version plans to release on both iOS and Android systems. This version allows for a single player experience with the same weapons and enemies like in the PC/Vita version.

 

The smartphone version shares the same server data as the PC and Vita version. However, the Smartphone version does not allow for cross platform playing at the same time.

This version is a simpler compared to the other two, you can raise your character, read mail from your friends, go on an adventure with your friend's character, or check the sales from the shop.

The Smartphone version plans to release in Winter 2012.

 

An RPG that goes beyond borders!

Now with PSO2 supporting 3 platforms, you can freely play at any time, any place, or anywhere you feel like. The game will support regular updates after the official PC version is released. Afterwards, the smartphone, and Vita version will be released to the public. Each will undergo testing and allow for user feedback.

 

The game software for the  PC, Vita, and Smartphone versions will be released as a FREE download. In either platform, the standard charges for playing will be absolutely free. Some of the game's items will become Cash Items under an in-game currency known as "Arks Cash."

When you play for free there are no restrictions imposed on your class level. In addition they will not sell over powerful weapons as cash items for large sums of cash either. The basic roots of the game won't be restricted either so that people with little time to play can still experience the game thoroughly.

 

Closed Beta Features

The closed beta test will add new weapon categories, a city area, and the implementation of Arks Cash. The new lobby has some new facilities like the Medical Center, the Tekker Shop, the Costume Shop, Title Counter,  and the Makeup Counter. My Room will add an assortment of new room items.

 

You can go on adventures with your friend's character anytime with the new "Friend Partner System." You can create your own team that comes with its own team chat feature and team flags. New weapon categories, photon arts, technics and skills. New interrupt events too.

The medical center seems to sell various drinks that boost some stats like HP and defense.

The closed beta now features a story with characters and voiced dialogue. Voice actors include; Hiro Shimono, Ryōhei Kimura, Youko Hikasa, Yōsuke Akimoto, Kana Asumi, Yuka Iguchi, Mariya Ise, Ueda Kana, Nobuhiko Okamoto, and many more.

 

During the Closed Beta Test, if your character reaches level 10, they will receive a free weapon hologram room item. This item will display weapons you have. This item will be delivered to you at the Open Beta Test. The highest level you can go in the closed beta test is level 30.

 

The city area contains a new boss called Dark Ragne.

 

Symbol Art

The evolution to symbol chat is finally here! Now we introduce "Symbol Art" where you can draw and create your own picture.

 

Character Demo!

On April 5th, Phantasy Star Online 2 will have a Character Creation Demo. You can download this demo which will be available prior to the closed beta. This demo will work even if you are not connected to the internet. The character you created in this version can also be used in the Closed Beta.

 

You can also use this to benchmark how your PC will play PSO2. Characters that you've created in this trial can also be used in a special Phantasy Star Online 2 Character Creation Contest! We will discuss details about this contest later.

The closed beta plans to start at the end of April.

 [via famitsu + 4gamer]

PSO2 Trinity Campaign

Sega, Microsoft and Intel of Japan are teaming up to bring you the Phantasy Star Online 2 Trinity Campaign. Those who purchase select products will receive items that can use in PSO2.

Purchase a Recommended PC

• Rocket Punch/Nacht ロケットパンチ／ナハト and AntiARifle/Nacht アンチAライフル／ナハト

Purchase a Recommended PC and PSO2 Logo Wireless Controller

• PicoPico Hammer/Nacht ピコピコハンマー／ナハト and Rocket Punch/Nacht and AntiARifle/Nacht

Purchase Windows 7 Ultimate DSP edition

• Rocket Punch/Nacht and AntiARifle/Nacht

Boxed version of Intel Core i7-2600/2600K/2700/2700K processor

• Rocket Punch/Nacht and AntiARifle/Nacht

AntiARifle/Nacht

 

PicoPico Hammer/Nacht

 

RocketPunch/Nacht

 

Those who buy specific Alienware Gaming Machines in Mid-April  will receive a gunslash called "Lord Axion/Nacht." Details will be released later.

 

Phantasy Star Online 2 is releasing with a few new surprises. You can download the game client for Free on PlayStation Vita, PC, and Smartphones. You can also play the standard game for Free with no restrictions on class level. There will however be cash items, but he isn't going to allow direct sales of highly over powerful weapons.

The closed beta starts around the end of April with 100,000 players. Tester recruitment will begin today at 16:00 JST.

Phantasy Star Online 2 will also release on Smartphones for iOS and Android. The smartphone version shares character data with the PC and Vita version. It will be a more simplistic single player game, with some social gaming elements attached.

[via famitsu]