Open Beta Starter Guide for Phantasy Star Online 2

This is a 4-part guide introducing you to Phantasy Star Online 2. The purpose of these guides is to help new players become accustomed with the game in Japanese. This guide relates mainly with in game menus. This guide will update as the test progresses onwards.

[Menu Guide ] [Options Guide] [Basic Guide] [Open Beta Guide]

The Open Beta Begins June 21st, 2012:
[News Here]

  • 3AM Eastern
  • 2AM Central
  • 1AM Mountain
  • 12AM Pacific

Table of Contents

 

Signing in!

Main Menu

As you first start the game, you'll reach the main menu.

  • SEGA IDでログイン Login with your SEGA ID
  • ユーザー情報変更 SEGA ID Management Area
  • クレジット Credits
  • ゲーム終了 Quit Game

After choosing a ship, the next screen will ask for your SEGA ID and PASSWORD.

Authentication Screen

If you logged into your account from another PC, the Authentication message in the above screenshot will pop up.  You must type in an authentication key that was sent to the email address of your SEGA ID account. If you did not receive an email, press the long bottom button, "メール認証キー再発行" for Sega to send you the email again.

Player ID Screen

Player ID Screen (Caution!)

You will type in a Player ID that you will use to represent your account on the game servers. Once you've set it, you will use this name for the remainder of this test and can not change it. The Player ID is separate from your SEGA ID and your actual character names. Please be careful not to put your password as your Player ID name.

 

Keyboard/Mouse or Gamepad?

You will then choose whether your main control scheme is
Keyboard [Left Button] or Gamepad [Right Button].

 

  • キャラクター選択: Choose or Create a New Character
  • サポートメニュー Support Menu sub choices: 1: Option 2: Sega ID 3: Online Manual
  • ゲーム終了 End Game

 

You can click on the first slot which will create your first character:
キャラクターの新規作成.

This will lead into the character creation screen, please refer to the Character Creation Mini Guide for details on creating a character.

If you have already created a character your menu will appear like the screenshot above.

  • ゲームを開始 Game Start
  • 各種手続き > キャラクターの削除 Delete Character

When deleting a character, hold the [CTRL] key then press the left button.

You can create your first character for free. Your second character requires Arks Cash payment.

 

Save and Load Characters

Characters you've created in the Character Creation Demo, or the Closed Beta Test can be loaded into PSO2's Open Beta Test client.

クリエイトデータ Create Data

  • クリエイトデータ保存 Save Character Data
  • クリエイトデータ読み込み Load Character Data

After creating your character, you will type in a name and start the game.

 

Control Scheme

Keyboard Shortcuts (View Full Version)*

You can use these keyboard shortcuts in combination with the mouse to play the game. If you are switching from keyboard to gamepad, use the [SCROLL LOCK] key to enter Direct Chat mode. Direct Chat mode lets your press any key to start chatting immediately.

Moving the mouse will control the camera. Your left mouse button will either attack or select items if in a menu. Your right mouse button will use photon arts or cancel if in a menu.

The middle mouse button will access the quick menu.

*Spot a mistake? Please let me know.

 Skip Tutorial

Choose the bottom option to skip tutorial.

Even though you skip the tutorial, you still have to play the Episode Zero story quest.

Main Menu

There are 8 icons that make up the main menu for PSO2. Each of these icons are self explanatory.

アイテムパック Item Pack [1st Icon]

  • アイテム Item
  • カスタム Custom (Edit Weapons/Units/Sub-palette)
  • マグ Mag
  • イベントアイテム Event Item

装備 Equip

コミュニティ Community (3rd Icon with Chat Bubbles)

  • フレンドリスト Friend List
  • チームコマンド Team Command
  • パーティーコマンド Party Command
  • メール Mail
  • 周囲のキャラクター Nearby Characters

マイデータ My Data

  • キャラクター情報 Character Info
  • 称号リスト Title List
  • クイックメニュー Quick Menu
  • コミュニケーション履歴 Communication History
  • アークスカード情報 Arks Card

クエスト Quest (Globe Icon)

システム System (Gear Icon)

  • シンボルアート Symbol Art
  • チャット設定 Chat Settings
  • オプション Option
  • ログウィンドウ Log Window
  • オンラインヘルプ Online Help

ACメニュー AC Menu (Shopping Cart)

  • ACショップ AC Shop
  • スクラッチを引く Draw a Scratch Card
  • 購入履歴 Purchase History
  • レンタル有効期限 Rental Expiration Date

ログアウト Logout

  • ゲームを終了する Quit Game
  • タイトルに戻る Return to Title Screen

 

Quick Menu

To access the Quick Menu, press [End](keyboard) or [Select] (gampad) or [Middle Mouse Button] to access the Quick Menu.

  • ショートカットワード実行 Shortcut Word
  • ロビーアクション実行 Lobby Action
  • キャラクター頭上表示切り替え Change Character Info Display [Text over Head]
  • オンラインステータス変更 Online Status Change
  • スクリーンショットの撮影 Take Screenshots (Alternatively you can use Print Screen]
  • 自分のマイルームへ行く Go to my "My Room"
  • パートナー作戦指示 Partner Strategy for Photon Blasts
  • レーダーマップ表示切り替え Switch Radar Map
  • エリアマップ表示/非表示 Area map Display Toggle

 

Character Menu

When you press [T], you can click on characters with your mouse to access the Character Menu.

  • ウィスパーチャットを送る Whisper Chat
  • パーティーに招待する Invite to Party
  • グッジョブを送る Send a Good Job!
  • メールを送る Send Mail
  • アイテムトレードを申し込む Initiate Item Trade
  • アークスカードを見る View Arks Card
  • ブラックリストに登録 Blacklist
  • フレンド登録を申し込む Send Friend Request*
  • マイルームへ移動 Go to their My Room
  • モノマネ Mimic

An extra entry shows up for Teams Only: チームコマンド Team Command > Team Scout

 *Caution! You may accidentally delete a friend from your friend list. Please note the differences in kanji:

  • フレンド登録を申し込む Send Friend Request
  • フレンド登録解除 Delete Friend

Block Changer

 

Around the Arks Lobby you'll see the Block changer to access different blocks (or channels) to meet your friends. You can access your My Room from the top-most entry in this block changer.

 

 Quest and Party

The Arks Lobby is separated into two distinct locations, the shopping area (lower level) and the gate area (upper level). The quest counter is located in the Gate Area:

  • クエスト一覧から選ぶ Choose Quests
  • クエスト中のパーティーに参加する Join a party in a quest
  • クエストカウンターを出る Leave the Quest Counter

Click Here for a Detailed Quest Counter Guide

 

Quest Types

  • アークスクエスト: Arks Quest: A quest that has specific goals. You can't return to the Arks Lobby unless clearing or cancelling the quest.
  • ストーリークエスト: Story Quest: To unravel the mysteries of the world of PSO2.
  • 緊急クエスト: Emergency Quest: A difficult quest that shows up for a limited time.
  • フリーフィールド: Free Field: Travel through the field freely at your leisure. You can return to the Arks Lobby at any time.

 

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Within the quest list menu, the following are available:

  • すぐに出発する Immediately Start a Quest
  • クエスト中のパーティーに参加する Join a party in a quest.
  • クエストレコードを見る View Quest Record

 

Party Details

  • パーティー名 Party name
  • パーティーコメント Party Comment
  • プレイスタイル Play Style
  • 参加パスワード Password
  • パーティーへ参加のみ制限 (Radio Button) Password protect your party.
  • 他パーティーからのマルチプレイ要求も制限 (Radio Button) Password protect other parties.*
  • レベル制限 Level Restrictions (上限 = Maximum) (下限 = Minimum)
  • フレンド限定 (Radio Button) Friends Only
  • チームメンバー限定 (Radio Button) Team Members Only

*Password protecting other parties will prevent you from meeting other parties in multiparty area, provided they don't know the password. This feature is useful for teams to host their own exclusive quests.

 

The Space Gate

When you accept a quest, you must enter the space gate at the center between the two Quest Counters.

 

 Party Command

Party Window

Press [Esc] to reach the Main Menu:  
 Community コミュニティ> party command (3rd) パーティーコマンド.

We will go through the LEFT side of this window.

  • パーティーに参加 Party Participation: Check your party invitation.
  • パーティーメンバー Party Members
  • パーティー招待拒否設定: Refuse Party Invitation Settings
  • パーティー脱退: Withdraw from Party
  • パーティー設定 [Leader] Party Settings
  • リーダーの交代 [Leader] Change Party Leader
  • メンバーの除外 [Leader] Remove Party Member
  • クエストの破棄 [Leader] Abandon Quest
  • パーティーの解散 [Leader]: Breakup Party

 

Friendlist and Requests

You can send friend requests through the character menu. When you receive a friend request, a menu will pop up at the top of your screen.

 

Friendlist Menu

You can access your friendlist menu through the Main Menu:
Menu > Community コミュニティ > Friend List (1st on list) フレンドリスト.

There are several subdivisions for your friendlist, let's take a look at them below.

  • 未返答の受信登録要求: Unreplied Requests: Friend Requests you received without accepting/rejecting them.*
  • オンライン: Online: Friends who are online will show their block and location
  • オフライン: Offline
  • ブラックリスト: Blacklisted players.

*When you click on Unreplied Requests, you'll have the option to approve or reject the request. The top entry (フレンド登録を承認する) will accept their request.

 

Be careful, you may remove a friend from your friendlist or a player from your blacklist by accident.

  • ウィスパーチャットを送る Send Whisper Chat
  • パーティーに招待する Invite to Party
  • グッジョブを送る Send Good job
  • メールを送る Send Mail
  • アークスカードを見る View Arks Card
  • フレンド登録解除 Delete Friend
  • ブロック移動 Transfer to your friend's block.
  • マイルームへ移動 Transfer to your friend's room.
  • ログインコールを受け取る/受け取らない: Turn ON/OFF friend's sign-on notifications.
  • ブラックリスト登録解除 (Only Under Blacklist Menu) Deletes blacklisted player.

 

Visiphone

  • マイショップ My Shop
  • フレンドパートナー Friend Partner
  • 自分のアークスカード編集 My Arks Card
  • アークスサーチ Arks Search [Search Players and Teams]
  • 図鑑を見る View Collection (Weapon and Unit Collection)
  • プレイ実績 Gameplay Achievements
  • ランキング Ranking
  • アイテムコード Item Code (For Bouquet Rifle)

Changing Classes

PSO2 no longer uses character levels, instead, you will have class levels. You can switch to any class you want. (For example: If you are Hunter Lv3 and switch to Ranger for the first time, you will be Ranger Lv1. If you switch back to Hunter, you will return to Hunter Lv3.)

The Class Counter Menu:

  • クラスの変更 Change Classes
  • クラススキル習得 Learn Class Skills
  • スキルツリーの追加 Add Skill Tree (AC Required)
  • スキルツリーリセット Skill Tree Reset (AC Required)
  • クラスカウンターを出る Leave Class Counter

Skill Tree

Refer to Skill Tree Simulator for translations!

 

 Teams (Guild): Team Counter

Head to the team counter when your class level is 10 to create a new team!  Type in your team name to begin.

 

Team Counter Window

On the right side of the window:

Team Settings

  • チームフラッグ: Team Flag
  • チームマスターコメント Team Mascot Comment
  • チームサーチ検索への公開設定: Make Team Search Public: Allow your team to be searchable through the Visiphone.
  • チームサイト: Team Web Site

On the left side of the window:

  • チーム設定 Team Setup
  • 入団の履歴 Enrollment History
  • チームを解散 Breakup Team
  • チームカウンターを出る Exit Team Counter

Press [T] to switch mouse modes and click on a player to enter the Character menu. The very last option will allow you to add members to the team.

Team Command チームコマンド >> Team Scout チームにスカウトする

 

 Mining Minerals in the Desert 

Don't you worry! Some Japanese players were confused about the drill in the desert mission too and failed horribly! After watching a Nico Nico video on how you actually perform the mining, here's some advice.

The desert mission is split into three blocks. The first block is a single party area, the second block can be quite large and easy to get lost around the great wall. The third block requires you to cover pretty much the whole area until an EMERGENCY CODE: COLLECT spawns. You have a very limited amount of time to mine before you fail the quest.

 

Mash the "Access" button while the drill is glowing.

From the video, the player only uses the drill when there's a glowing white orb. Simultaneously as the white orb is glowing, the drill will actually spin. Once the white orb fades away, the drill stops spinning, and you can attack the surrounding enemies. If you successfully mine with two drills, you will complete the mission.

The Bouquet Rifle is not delivered to you in the Pre-Open Beta Test, you will receive a code sometime on or after the Open Beta Test.

 

Changing Chat Channels

 

In the log window, you can filter your speech to certain chat channels

  • 1. Nearby
  • 2. Party
  • 3. Team
  • 4. Whisper

Phantasy Star Online 2: Pre-Open Beta Site and Download Begins!

Phantasy Star Online 2 Players Site has launched, and features a wealth of information. This post will act as a guide to getting the game as well as vital information about the test and rules. Refer to a future blog post for an actual game guide.

The Pre-Open Beta Runs:

  • 6/15 @ 6AM to 11AM Eastern
  • 6/16 @ 6AM to 11AM Eastern.

Anyone who has the Closed Beta Test game client may launch the game to update their client. There is no need for you to re-download the entire game again.

Anyone who does not have the Closed Beta Test game client can download the game through the PSO2 Players Site. If you have NOT signed up for the PSO2 Pre-Open Beta please refer to this post.

If you need to reset your SEGA ID password please click here.

Pre-Open Beta Download

Click the BIG SPACEY BUTTON to get the downloader.

During the Pre-Open Beta unexpected malfunctions may occur that could result in your character data being wiped, rollbacks, etc. If a problem occurs, you must immediately submit a bug report (in japanese) at the bug report page.

Submit the following reports here:

Please note that all data in the Pre-Open Beta Test is deleted at the end of this test and will not carry over to the Open Beta.

There are five ships (servers) in the Pre-Open Beta:

  • Ship01:フェオ Feo
  • Ship02:ウル Ur
  • Ship03:ソーン Thohn
  • Ship04:アンスール Ansul
  • Ship05:ラグズ Laguz

Please take note that you can not move your character to another ship. Please make sure you choose a ship you and your friends will be playing on. The PSOW/PSUBLOG/GAMEFAQS/FACEBOOK communities will be choosing Ship 2 and Block 20/21. Other gaming communities will choose different ship numbers so please refer to their websites for information on which ship and block you should connect to.

As the test moves on, NEW ships will be added based on need. Please keep in mind that you can not purchase Arks Cash during the Pre-Open Beta Test, this means you can not create a 2nd character on any ship. (You will have to delete your first character and remake them on another ship.)

The Pre-Open Beta version of PSO2 can load the characters you created in the character creation demo. We highly recommend you begin to finalize your characters now before participating in the Pre-Open and Open Beta test. If you saved your character data in the Closed Beta, PSO2 Pre-Open beta client can also load that character.

The contents listed in the Arks Cash shop is roughly similar to the official version. Unfortunately, during the Pre-Open Beta, you can not purchase Arks Cash, therefore, all players who participate during this test will have access to My Room and My Shop.

During the Pre-Open Beta you can input an item code for certain weapons in the Arks Lobby, My Room, and Camp Ship. Since the data is reset once the test is complete, hold on to your item code since you will be able to type it in again in the next test.

Currently you can type all "Nacht" versions of weapons through the vision phone. This includes Rocket Punch, AntiARifle, PicoPico Hammer, Lord Axion, and Gaebolg. The Open Beta Test data transfers over to the official release, so you do not have to type them in another time

 

 PSO2 Launcher

PSO2 Launcher Screen

  • ゲームスタート : Game Start (Starts the Game and Patches)
  • 環境設定: Settings
  • ファイルチェック: File Check will check the integrity of all patches.
  • 終了: Will close the launcher.

When you first start PSO2, you may note that the game is running slowly. We recommend changing your graphical sliders down to 1 or 2 to make the game run faster.

 Simple Settings

Settings Screen

Top Buttons: (Left to Right)

  • 簡易設定: Simple Settings 基本 Basic Settings 画面 Screen 描画 Drawing Settings 音声 Sound 機能 Functions

Bottom Buttons: (Left to Right)

  • 設定を保存 Save Settings 初期化 Reset 公式サイト Website 戻る Return

The large slider from 1 to 5 is a quick way to change the major graphic settings for the game. Lowering your slider down to 1 will run the game faster.

Shaders can greatly impact the performance of your game, therefore we recommend those with integrated or lower end graphic cards to move the slider down to 1 to run the game with simple shaders. Shaders will be on by default if the graphical slider is set to 3. You may save your changes by clicking the first button on the left, then click the last button to return.

Screen Settings

Screen Settings

ウィンドウモード Window Mode

  • ウィンドウモード表示 Windowed Mode
  • フルスクリーン表示 Full Screen Mode
  • 仮想フルスクリーン表示 Virtual Full Screen Mode

 画面サイズ Screen Size: Choose a Resolution (1280*720)

最大フレームレート Maximum Frame Rate: 60 fps

文字の大きさ Graphic Size (UI Zoom)  [Right Column]: 1280

 

 Drawing Settings

PSO2 Draw Settings

テクスチャ解像度 Texture Settings

  • 高解像度 High Resolution
  • 通常 Normal
  • 圧縮 Compressed

シェーダー品質: Shader Quality

  • 標準 Standard
  • 簡易 Simple

There are 2 major graphical settings, "Simple Shaders" or "Standard Shaders". In the PSO2 English communities we normally refer to "Simple Shaders" as the "Shader-less" or "Shaders Off" or "SD Graphics" version.

Simple Shaders are best suited for lower end graphic cards and computers, while Standard Shaders are geared towards high end computers. If your game crashes when loading character models, change your shader settings to Simple.

 

Basic Settings

Language and Monitor

言語設定 Language Settings: Only Japanese language is currently supported. (Officially)

Monitor Screen in Lobby

  • 巨大モニター動画を再生する : Play Videos
  • 巨大モニター動画を再生しない: Do not Play Videos

 

Manner Up!

 

During your course of PSO2, you'll meet many players and interact with them. However, sometimes a slight remark or action may trouble your team mates.

Prohibited Actions:

  • Real Money Trading Services
  • Cheat Tools / Item Modding and Duping
  • Unauthorized access / Program modifications.
  • Obstructing Administration / Stealing or Fraud

When users are caught performing these actions their accounts may be banned from playing the game. In addition to those actions stated above, other prohibited actions include:

  • Altering Stats
  • Speed Hacks
  • Use of outside programs that affect the game.
  • The use of (external programs) to perform actions automatically.
  • Slandering specific players or groups.
  • Obstructing Admin (harm to game events, false reports, pretending to be admin, etc.)
  • Account Phishing
  • Etc.

 

PSO2 Authorized Net Cafes

Those who play within a net cafe officially sanctioned by PSO2, will have access to extra privileges within the game. You earn 1 cafe point every minute of playing time. As you collect cafe points, you can spend them on items within the net cafe shop.

Net Cafe Counter

The Net Cafe Shop is located right next to the My Room shop. With each point you collect you can spend them on various items.

Net Cafe Privileges

  1. For every minute playing in an authorized net cafe, you gain 1 cafe point!
  2. Item Trader
  3. Open My Shop.
  4. Use My Room.
  5. Use Premium Storage.
  6. Access Premium Block.
  7. FUN Points x2 Boost.
  8. Purchase items from the Net Cafe Shop.

In the Pre-Open Beta, privileges: 1, 3, 4, and 8 are available.  As for the "Net Cafe's My Room" privilege, you won't be able to invite other characters to your "My Room".

  • EXP Boost+50% = 60 Cafe Points
  • Rare Drop Boost+50% = 60 Cafe Points
  • Grind Risk Decrease (-1) = 45 Cafe Points
  • Grind Success + 5% = 45 Cafe Points
  • Star Atomizer = 20 Cafe Points

 (Generally it would cost around 2000 yen or $50 to play 9 hours of Pre-Open Beta.)

Copyright Information (YouTubers Please Read!)

Phantasy Star Online 2 allows players to record or take screenshots of their gameplay. You may post these screenshots to any website or video hosting site by following the recommendations below:

Screenshots: You may insert the following copyright notation either within the screenshot or below all screenshots you have taken. (This copyright notation is copied directly from PSO2's official website.)

(C)SEGA

Near where the images are placed, please place a link to PSO2's official site as follows:

『PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2』公式サイト
http://pso2.jp/

If you can not place the copyright notation within the website, you can take screenshots from within the game and it will embed the copyright notice for you in the lower right corner. (Screenshots are located at DOCUMENTS\SEGA\PHANTASYSTARONLINE2\ folder.)

You are allowed to crop, resize the image, and/or photoshop your player id name or character name. In fact, by taking screenshots within the game, there is  a setting that will remove the user interface and character names as well.

Videos: For those who are streaming videos in real time, or uploading videos onto video hosting websites or blogs, should follow the below recommendations:

Video users should place the copyright notation at the beginning and end of the video for more than two seconds OR within the video description area.

(C)SEGA

In addition, in the video description area, please include the following note:

『PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2』公式サイト
http://pso2.jp/

Changing the playback speed or adding unrelated videos and music to your gameplay is prohibited. You are allowed to edit the video to obscure character or player ID names.

If you are doing a live stream please place this in your stream description area:

(C)SEGA
『PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2』公式サイト
http://pso2.jp/

Porori

Today's porori image is of the Vol Dragon and his 3 forms.

Tomorrow the Pre-Open Beta starts at 6AM through 11AM eastern. In the official release, Sakai plans to add Time Attack quests and the Frozen Tundra field.

 

Open Beta Porori! (Rumor)

RUMOR ALERT!

Whoops, it appears Dengeki accidentally posted a banner ad for the Open Beta starting date. It was posted in a news article about the Hangame version of PSO2, but was subsequently removed. The exact dates for the Open Beta has not been officially announced yet, but of course it doesn't mean that they haven't already started planning ahead if nothing goes wrong with the servers for the Pre-Open Beta.

 

6月21日(木) オープンβテスト開始!
June 21st Open Beta Starts!

The banner ad in question lines up perfectly with what Sakai said in his latest blog post that the Open Beta would start within a week from the Pre-Open Beta. But it wasn't only Dengeki that posted the banner ad, another site forgot to remove the banner.

 

Original news article and documented by Shougai

Of course this date is null and void if the Pre-Open Beta goes horribly wrong, but at least you have a day to look forward to… maybe…

[Thanks Manta Oyamada ]