PSP2i: Predictive Text and Chat Functions in Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity

Today Sakai updated about details pertaining to the chat function with the soft keyboard

As you may know with your experience of Phantasy Star Portable 2, the chat function isn't so great. Though Sakai would love to have a keyboard peripheral attached to the PSP, it's not really much in his hands to decide that. Instead, the soft keyboard functions have been improved on.

The soft keyboard now comes with 3 different modes:

  • The old keyboard system
  • The Cellphone-like input method Keyboard 1
  • The Cellphone like input method Keyboard 2

The default option is the second choice. Based on Japanese language, you would change the Japanese letter (class) through the L and R keys.

 

Predictive Text

Now whenever you input a character, the predictive text is listed in the top left corner. So if you were to write "PA" the word "PARTY" would show up. (Now of course since this is Japanese, some of the examples won't make much sense with English spelling.) Press the Start button and the directional up and down arrow keys to choose from the list.

 

If I input O, the term OKAY shows up first.

 

The predictive text can also complete words.

  • After typing お (o)
  • >> Select おねがい (onegai)
  • >>> Prediction: します (shimasu)

Predictive text chose "shimasu" to end the sentence fragment.
The resulting Japanese word is Onegaishimasu!

 

Dictionary Improvement

Terminology shortcuts can be used. For example, if one were to type "Furimi" it can convert to the name of the Free Mission (Open Mission) in the conversion list. Or if you were to type "Bosu" it can convert to a name of a boss. (Conversion lists were obviously removed in PSP2's English Version.)

 

Copy and Paste is Possible

In the Japanese version of PSP2, you could hold the square button and press the up arrow key for it to recall the last entries you typed. In this game, you can input a previous word by holding the square button and right directional arrow.

 

Chat while viewing the Chat Log.

Similar to PSU, you can now see the chat log while typing. If you click the log button as shown in the screenshot above, the chat log will display to the left, however this chat log will display fewer past entries.

Like PSU, you can not play the game while the chat log is up, sorry!

  • Games Japan Festa, if you missed the Tokyo Game Show, and would like to try out Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity, you can now visit this convention on November 13th and 14th, 2010. If you attend you may receive the Calorie Mate strap.

[via pspo2iblog]

Additional Comments

So how do I make sense of this for English gamers, and how could Sega of America implement this feature by following the same rules of the Japanese version? Let's use the very first example:

  • Type: Pa
  • >> Select: Party
  • >>> Predicts: ing
  • Type: He
  • >> Select: Help
  • >>> Predicts:  me

Partying and Help me; are just two examples that don't break the rules, but it would also mean that each language the game is translated into would have to have their own set of predictive text. Here's to hoping this feature will make it.

 

Charge Shot 2

In the latest Dengeki, shougai uncovered some minor details about Charge Shot 2. So far we've seen only 3 classes of ranged weapons that have charged shot and obviously more will be revealed.

  • Typically when weapons drop, Charge Shot I or Charge Shot II can be attached to them.
  • However OLDER weapons from PSP2 that drop will only have Charge Shot I equipped.
  • NEW Infinity weapons may have Charge Shot II.
  • Shougai is unsure if older weapons that are extended would have the choice for Charge Shot II.

[via shougai]

Sega Planning a Phantasy Star Online 2 Beta Test

Sega is planning a Phantasy Star Online 2 Beta test in the future. This beta test was announced in relation to Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst Japanese server shutdown.

Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst will shut down at 12/27/10 at 16:00

  • 11/29/2010
    • Hunter's License 30 Day and Automatic Billing Cycles End
    • ハンターズライセンス(30日権)販売終了,    ハンターズライセンス(自動継続権)販売終了
    • Registration Code, and Episode 4 Registration Codes are no longer available.
    • 利用コード登録終了, エピソード4登録コード登録終了
  • 11/30/10/ ~ 12/27/10
    • Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst is Free
  • 12/27/10
    • Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst Shuts Down

To thank everyone who loved Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst, they plan to give out a special beta test invitation for Phantasy Star Online 2. The details about such test will be revealed in the future.

[via psobbjp]

 

Phantasy Star Online 2

Aaron Webber from Sega gave us one small detail about Phantasy Star Online 2. He compared it to "Phantasy Star Zero."  I guess that's a good thing if you liked Zero, or a bad thing if you uh didn't like it…

To help clarify, I'm actually saying that I have a lot of faith in the team being able to make a game that stays faithful to what made PSO great – and PSZ, to me at least, is that proof. 🙂  [Aaron Webber]

[via dualshockers]

Additional Comments

You can try to register for PSOBB here, it is the top option on the page.

PSP2i: Old DLC Items and Missions Information

Today Sakai did a question and answer session, some controversial things are said so please read the post carefully.

Question and Answer Session

Regarding OLD PSP2 Download missions…

All Phantasy Star Portable 2 Download Missions are within Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity. Maximum Attack X now has C, B, A, S, and Infinity Rank difficulty. In addition you may also see some old Phantasy Star Portable 1 Download Missions which have been modified to fit Infinity's specifications.

Old PSP2 challenge 2 Missions are included!

 

Regarding seeing Download items in Infinity…

If someone else in the party purchased a DLC item (free or cash) and you have not downloaded it, the item's graphics are replaced with a generic version.

Unfortunately Sakai could not come up with a method that allows those who did not purchase an item to see them. One of the major problems is how there will be those who will obtain the item illegally. This makes it unfair for those who spent money on it.  Another concern is how  it detrimentally affects data connection speeds.

The only good news which was announced yesterday was that all FREE download items from PSP2 can now be seen by those who did not purchase it from the Playstation Store.

 

Regarding obtaining download items

OLD Free DLC items from PSP2 can now be obtained in some manner within the game.

Those who purchased DLC items from PSP2, will now have them imported to PSP2i. You do not have to purchase them again.

Shougai's Interpretation

  • DLC items can be obtained normally like a regular item.
  • (Shougai Comment: A service put into place for those who don't have Internet Access?)
  • (Shougai Comment: Cash download items don't apply, you must still purchase the download item if you want to get it.)

[via shougai]

Online Shop

In the lobby there is now a new menu for those who want to download new items to Infinity.

You can click on the online shop,
this takes you to the shop for the Playstation Store.

 

Select between Importing and Shopping.

 

Import weapons, import costumes, and a new menu to import "other items"

 

Also now you can access your common storage box at the code counter so you don't have to run all the way to the shop.

[via pspo2iblog]