Phantasy Star Online 2: Arcs, Darkers, and Mother Ship Oracle

Sakai updated the blog early this morning. Let's go through the setting of Phantasy Star Online 2!

In the beginning, Phantasy Star I – IV had the Algol solar system with Palma, Motovia and Dezolis. Phantasy Star Online had the untamed planet of Ragol. Phantasy Star Zero had Earth. Phantasy Star Universe had the Gurhal solar system with Parum, Moatoob, and Neudaiz. But what of Phantasy Star Online 2? It's not Ragol but rather the entire "space" is the setting for this game.

 

The Oracle, a fleet of ships that travel to many planets throughout the entire galaxy. The player is a member of the Arks, whose purpose is for search and discovery. From the Arks ship, the Camp ship takes off and travels to the planets.

 

Oracle Mother Ship

But now we get a glimpse of the Mother Ship. It's incredibly large, the center globe area is around 500km, but the Arks do not live on this ship.

 

Instead players live on the Arks ship. This ship is around 70km. About 1million people live in the central dome of this ship.

 

The first planet you saw in the Alpha Test version was Naberius. It's a planet covered in natural beauty similar to Earth. This isn't the only planet in Phantasy Star Online 2 since the Oracle fleet will travel across the galaxy.

You will encounter many creatures and monsters as you travel to different planets. Not only the creatures that reside on the planet naturally, but also the Darkers. The Arks are investigating these mysterious beings. They can appear anywhere, and their purpose are unknown. Yes, the Darker not only are hostile towards the Arks, but they may also be hostile towards all life.

 

The Rappy!

Ah, the rappy, the mascot for Phantasy Star. Like the Darkers, this Rappy can show up unexpectedly in random places. This rappy you may recall came from Phantasy Star ZERO, but the art designer felt it needed to be even more kawaii, so now the rappy is even cuter than before. But there are other subspecies of rappies, for example we learned the Nav Rappy ナヴ・ラッピー appeared on the Planet Naberius. What other Rappies will we see this time?

 [via psblog]

Phantasy Star Online 2 Camp Ship and Project CUTE

Sakai explains why it is called Phantasy Star Online 2.

  • To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online
  • Because it's a completely new game.
  • Because it's a fully online game
  • Because it's a title that carries on the idea of an Online RPG that's spread to even more people from those Phantasy Star Online had already captured.

You should view "PSO2" as not a direct sequel to PSO, but rather the successor to Phantasy Star Online.

 

And here's an area most people who played the Alpha test are familiar with already. This is the camp ship area where after you receive a quest, players enter this small Arcs space ship that travels to the planet that corresponds with the quest.

It is the point between the lobby and the field where players can make preparations before diving in.

This camp ship area is shown in that TGS promo movie you saw earlier.

 

Did you ever notice there's a small aircraft stored beneath the Camp Ship? Yes, though it may look small, the camp ship is actually quite large. It is covered in camouflage paint since it's not only used for space travel (warping), but can enter within range of the atmosphere.

 

Mystery Weapon Category?

In Famitsu Connect-On, Sakai dropped some hints on what that weapon was in the Tokyo Game Show Trailer. The hints said since PSO, it's not the first time this weapon category has appeared, and out of the 3 classes, Forces can not equip it.

Given these clues, we know generally Partisans can only be equipped by Hunters (except if it's a rare partisan, then even forces could equip it.). But what other weapon category could it be?

Also for Alpha Test 2, Sakai thinks he could have 10,000 simultaneous connections. The first Alpha test managed to get 6,000 people simultaneously connected. (So I guess that's a hint as to how many more people would be added?) Also the second alpha test you don't have to buy something to participate like last time.

[via shougai]

Oracle Mother Ship

In the same interview, Sakai dropped some hints about that ship tailing behind the Oracle fleet as you saw in the TGS trailer. It is the Oracle's "Mother Ship", though the existance of this ship is a mystery, we know this isn't a place where there are people. This place is described as a "sacred area." 

 (So is this ship used for sealing dark falz? This sounds like a final area to me.)

[via shougai]

Project Cute

Project Cute is actually for Phantasy Star Universe, the concept behind it is to make original clothing with a "CUTE" theme. So Marie Wind マリー ウィンド is coming up next on October 27, 2011 within the GC Gachan.

 

Various colors are available too!

[via psblog]

November Wallpaper

 A Message from Bonko

Bonkohara wrote a little message to the Facebook page, we've cleaned up her English translation to make it more coherent. 

Good evening everyone. Here in Japan it is around 11:00PM. 😀 I am at my desk and working hard even though I'm feeling cold. Producer Sakai has a long meeting today. All of the PHANTASY STAR staff are doing thier best for PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2! 🙂 We would like to see our fans smile. ♥ We sent a email newsletter yesterday. Please check it out .

PSO2 Mag Concept and Phantasy Star Series Blog Opens

Today is a new dawn for the Phantasy Star Series as Producer Satoshi Sakai will now cover various Phantasy Star titles and goods in his new blog, Phantasy Star Series Official Blog.

Firstly, PSO2 and the 2nd Alpha test are scheduled for next year, which they will also inform you about information regarding these products at the blog.

They were asked many times if Mags exist in the TGS and Alpha test version of the game. They do indeed exist and Sakai believes he'll just show a concept on what they would be like.

A very mechanical impression don't you think?

According to the person in charge, the part covered in blue, that color seems to be different based on the person who equips it.

PSO2 is being worked on at a fast pace by more than 100 people.  The new blog has a comment approval system, but you can of course send in your comments encouraging the staff and even ask questions about the game in general.

Sega has also opened a mixi page too, but at this fan blog, we won't be able to cover any parts that require a mixi membership since it requires a Japanese cellphone email address to sign up.

INFINITY ♪

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Blog is now closed and will merge with the Phantasy Star Series Blog instead. Terada posted something interesting, did you ever want to know the top 5 missions?

Top 5 Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Missions

  • 5: Scrap Spirit (730,633 times)
  • 4: Gurhal Heroes(730,723 times)
  • 3: Maximum Attack Infinity II(1,311,445 times)
  • 2: Maximum Attack Infinity IV(1,506,059 times)
  • 1: Maximum Attack Infinity I (1,651,137 times)

Worst 5 Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Missions

  • 5: Moonlight Beast (8,673 times)
  • 4: Challenge 2: Stage 4 (8,373 times)
  • 3: Lonely Laboratory (6,359 times)
  • 2: Forest of Illusion (4,295 times)
  • 1: Urgent Orders (3,744 times)

 We're wondering why everyone is playing Scrap Spirit so often..

 

Phantasy Star Eternal Planets Maximum Attack END

Ok I know nobody cares about this game but there's still some news. PSEP is changing their "Closed Open Beta" schedule and is hosting a Maximum Attack event. Yes, seriously it says closed open beta.

Beta Schedule Change

  • Ended 10/24/2011 @ 16:00

Maximum Attack Goal

  • All Player Levels should add up to 100,000 total.

Prize

  • 50 Gachan Medals "ガチャンメダル x50"  when the official game starts.

Current Score

  • 100,000 Achieved!

Notice

  • The beta test period of Phantasy Star Eternal Planets is over and the official game will start later. The staff will apply bug fixes and correct the balance of the game based on feedback.

 

Hatsune Miku Project Diva -Extend- Pre Order

Those that reserve Project Diva Extend can receive this special bonus CD containing Vocaloid remixes and arrangements of songs including:

  • Live and Learn from Sonic Adventure 2
  • Ignite Infinity from Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity.