Difference between revisions of "Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2"
From Sega Retro
m (Fixed an earlier typo and moved the screenshots to represent sections of the article rather than a standalone screenshot section.) |
|||
(44 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Bob | {{Bob | ||
− | | bobscreen= | + | | bobscreen=PSODC_V2_Title.png |
| publisher=[[Sega]] | | publisher=[[Sega]] | ||
− | | developer=[[Sonic Team]] | + | {{company|[[Sega PC]]|system=PC}} |
+ | | developer=[[Sonic Team (company)|Sonic Team]] | ||
+ | | support=[[Quality Assurance Dept.]] | ||
| system=[[Sega Dreamcast]], [[Windows PC]] | | system=[[Sega Dreamcast]], [[Windows PC]] | ||
| sounddriver= | | sounddriver= | ||
| peripherals={{DC}} [[Broadband Adapter]], [[Jump Pack]], [[Dreamcast Keyboard]], [[Dreamcast Modem]], [[Visual Memory Unit]], [[Dreamcast VGA Box]] | | peripherals={{DC}} [[Broadband Adapter]], [[Jump Pack]], [[Dreamcast Keyboard]], [[Dreamcast Modem]], [[Visual Memory Unit]], [[Dreamcast VGA Box]] | ||
| players=1 | | players=1 | ||
− | | genre=RPG{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154002/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20080909070810/http://sega.jp:80/pc/pso/}} | + | | genre=Network RPG (ネットワークRPG){{fileref|PSOV2 DC JP Box Back.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154002/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20080909070810/http://sega.jp:80/pc/pso/}}, RPG{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20201104110707/https://sega.jp/history/hard/dreamcast/software.html}} |
+ | | languages={{LanguageList|jp|en|fr|de|es}} | ||
| releases={{releasesDC | | releases={{releasesDC | ||
| dc_date_jp=2001-06-07{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154002/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/}} | | dc_date_jp=2001-06-07{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154002/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/}} | ||
| dc_code_jp=HDR-0163 | | dc_code_jp=HDR-0163 | ||
| dc_rrp_jp=4,800e{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154002/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/}} | | dc_rrp_jp=4,800e{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154002/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/}} | ||
− | | dc_date_us=2001-09- | + | | dc_rating_jp=all |
+ | | dc_date_us=2001-09-25{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20031009014207/http://www.sega.com:80/games/dreamcast/post_dreamcastgame.jhtml?PRODID=770}} | ||
+ | | dc_rrp_us=39.99 | ||
| dc_code_us=51193 | | dc_code_us=51193 | ||
| dc_rating_us=t | | dc_rating_us=t | ||
Line 19: | Line 24: | ||
| dc_code_eu=MK-51193-50 | | dc_code_eu=MK-51193-50 | ||
| dc_rating_eu=11 | | dc_rating_eu=11 | ||
− | | dc_date_uk=2002-03-01 | + | | dc_date_uk=2002-03-01{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019212915/http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/DetProd.asp?ProductCode=4934}}{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20020227151338/http://special.reserve.co.uk:80/listings/releaseschedindex.php?ma=Dreamcast}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021212221106/http://www.amazon.co.uk:80/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/300726/}} |
| dc_code_uk=MK-51193-50 | | dc_code_uk=MK-51193-50 | ||
| dc_rating_uk=11 | | dc_rating_uk=11 | ||
| dc_rrp_uk=29.99{{magref|dmuk|33|4}} | | dc_rrp_uk=29.99{{magref|dmuk|33|4}} | ||
− | | dc_date_de=2002- | + | | dc_date_de=2002-02-28{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20041122144221/http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RJ9V}} |
| dc_code_de=MK-51193-50 | | dc_code_de=MK-51193-50 | ||
| dc_rating_de=0 | | dc_rating_de=0 | ||
Line 29: | Line 34: | ||
| dc_code_fr=MK-51193-50 | | dc_code_fr=MK-51193-50 | ||
| dc_rating_fr=12 | | dc_rating_fr=12 | ||
− | | dc_date_es=2002-03- | + | | dc_date_es=2002-03-21{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20020618143855/http://www.centromail.es/top/ficha_liquidacion.asp?codmail=19137&codprov=}} |
| dc_code_es=MK-51193-50 | | dc_code_es=MK-51193-50 | ||
| dc_rating_es=13 | | dc_rating_es=13 | ||
Line 38: | Line 43: | ||
| pc_code_jp=HCJ-0323 | | pc_code_jp=HCJ-0323 | ||
| pc_rating_jp=all | | pc_rating_jp=all | ||
− | | pc_date_kr= | + | | pc_date_kr=2002-02-02 |
| pc_rating_kr=a | | pc_rating_kr=a | ||
| pc_date_tw=200x | | pc_date_tw=200x | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | | properties={{Properties|DC|adx|flash|sofdec}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ファンタシースターオンライン Ver. 2) is not a new game but rather an updated and refined version of the original ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]''. The game was released for the [[Sega Dreamcast]] in 2001 and would later be used as the basis for a Windows PC port released in that same year exclusively to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. | + | '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ファンタシースターオンライン Ver. 2) is not a new game but rather an updated and refined version of the original ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]''. The game was released for the [[Sega Dreamcast]] in 2001 and would later be used as the basis for a [[Windows PC]] port released in that same year exclusively to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. |
− | The game | + | ==History== |
+ | ===Development=== | ||
+ | The initial version of ''Phantasy Star Online'' was rushed to meet its intended 2000 release year after an initial delay. As a result, it shipped with several bugs, exploits and unfinished features that couldn't be addressed due to the Dreamcast's lack of a large enough storage medium for patch updates. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In April 2001, Sega announced that an updated version of the original game with new content and improved features would be released as ''Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2''. This new version of the game would be completed in six months. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Release=== | ||
+ | ''Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2'' arrived very late in the Dreamcast's lifespan and was unable to recreate the same levels of success as its predecessor. This is likely due to new conditions imposed on consumers; in North America and Japan, a paid "Hunter's License" subscription was required to play ''Ver. 2'' online. In the US the charge was $5 a month for a minimum of three months. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Conversely, in Europe no charge was placed on online play, however users required a copy of [[Dreamkey 3.0]] for the game to work - a disc only available directly from Sega. Sega chose to shut down their entire online service for those not using 3.0 (or 3.1) discs prior to the release of ''Ver 2.'', meaning it was not actually possible to order a 3.0 disc through a Dreamcast{{magref|dmuk|33|9}}. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====PC version==== | ||
+ | Following the release of Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 on the Sega Dreamcast, Sonic Team ported this version of the game to the PC as simply "Phantasy Star Online" (often dubbed in the fanbase as simply "PSO PC"). This version of the game was exclusive to Japan, Korea and Taiwan and lacked any form of cross-platform multiplayer with its Dreamcast counterpart. Despite this, the game offered the same language options as its Dreamcast counterpart, enabling the game to be playable in English. The quality of the port was seen as very poor as the game's ridden with graphical glitches and poor design when it comes to the game's PC interface. Furthermore, although this version of the game offered patch updates unlike its Dreamcast counterpart, the game would not receive any of the new features, bug fixes, classes and areas introduced with the release of Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II on the Gamecube and Xbox. | ||
− | ==Changes from Ver. 1== | + | On January 1st, 2004, Sonic Team announced that servers for this version of the game would be closed on January 8th and that a new PC port of Phantasy Star Online was in development, this time being based on Phantasy Star Online Episode I & 2 on Gamecube and Xbox. Players of this version of the game would be able to register 25th to the 31st of March to participate in a Closed Beta of this new version of the game. This port would later be announced as "Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst" on April 4th in order to emphasize a fresh experience. |
+ | |||
+ | The PC version of ''Phantasy Star Online'' was bundled with Sony's VAIO Note NV laptop when it launched in May 2002{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20071118203444/http://sega.jp/corp/release/2002/0513/}}. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Versions== | ||
+ | ===Changes from Ver. 1=== | ||
*The game's level cap is increased from 100 to 200. As a result, many characters had their stats rebalanced. | *The game's level cap is increased from 100 to 200. As a result, many characters had their stats rebalanced. | ||
*A new difficulty mode is added for characters level 80 and above called "Ultimate". In this difficulty mode, the enemies spawned in each area are replaced with new enemies and each area's appearance is changed. | *A new difficulty mode is added for characters level 80 and above called "Ultimate". In this difficulty mode, the enemies spawned in each area are replaced with new enemies and each area's appearance is changed. | ||
Line 58: | Line 81: | ||
[[File:Psover2 GoGoBall.png|thumb|190px|The Go-Go Ball minigame present in Lobbies 11-15.]] | [[File:Psover2 GoGoBall.png|thumb|190px|The Go-Go Ball minigame present in Lobbies 11-15.]] | ||
*Accessible online by ''Ver. 2'' players are Lobbies 11-15. These lobbies contain a soccer minigame called "Go-Go Ball". | *Accessible online by ''Ver. 2'' players are Lobbies 11-15. These lobbies contain a soccer minigame called "Go-Go Ball". | ||
− | *Players can add a "Whistle" sound effect to their Symbol Chat artwork. In addition, a | + | *Players can add a "Whistle" sound effect to their Symbol Chat artwork. In addition, a new "Capture" command had been implemented which lets players save other player's Symbol Art. |
*Players can search for other players in their current block from the Guild Card menu using various parameters such as the player type and level. | *Players can search for other players in their current block from the Guild Card menu using various parameters such as the player type and level. | ||
*The option to search the ingame location of a Simple Mail's sender has been added. | *The option to search the ingame location of a Simple Mail's sender has been added. | ||
Line 64: | Line 87: | ||
*Unlike its predecessor, ''Ver. 2'' supports the [[Broadband Adapter]]. | *Unlike its predecessor, ''Ver. 2'' supports the [[Broadband Adapter]]. | ||
− | ==Compatibility with Ver. 1== | + | ===Compatibility with Ver. 1=== |
[[File:Psover2 createRoom.png|thumb|190px|PSO Ver.2 players could opt to play with those who owned the original version, but with limited compatibility.]] | [[File:Psover2 createRoom.png|thumb|190px|PSO Ver.2 players could opt to play with those who owned the original version, but with limited compatibility.]] | ||
{{PAGENAME}} is essentially an update to its predecessor, released in the form of a separate standalone disc due to the Dreamcast lacking a large storage medium for patch updates. As a result, barring the new features and bug fixes, the game is identical to the standard ''Phantasy Star Online''. Furthermore, save data from the original release could be permanently transferred to ''Ver. 2''. | {{PAGENAME}} is essentially an update to its predecessor, released in the form of a separate standalone disc due to the Dreamcast lacking a large storage medium for patch updates. As a result, barring the new features and bug fixes, the game is identical to the standard ''Phantasy Star Online''. Furthermore, save data from the original release could be permanently transferred to ''Ver. 2''. | ||
As a result of ''Ver. 2'' being an 'update', players from ''Ver. 2'' and the standard Phantasy Star Online played together on the same servers with the only distinction being ''Ver. 2'' players having orange names while players from the original version of Phantasy Star Online 2 had white names. With that said, features introduced in ''Ver. 2'' such as the new Lobbies, Challenge Mode and Battle Mode were not available to players of the original Phantasy Star Online. | As a result of ''Ver. 2'' being an 'update', players from ''Ver. 2'' and the standard Phantasy Star Online played together on the same servers with the only distinction being ''Ver. 2'' players having orange names while players from the original version of Phantasy Star Online 2 had white names. With that said, features introduced in ''Ver. 2'' such as the new Lobbies, Challenge Mode and Battle Mode were not available to players of the original Phantasy Star Online. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
==Production credits== | ==Production credits== | ||
Line 115: | Line 120: | ||
*'''Word Select:''' [[Masakazu Miura]] | *'''Word Select:''' [[Masakazu Miura]] | ||
*'''Menu Window:''' [[Ryuichi Ishiguro]] | *'''Menu Window:''' [[Ryuichi Ishiguro]] | ||
− | *'''Sequence:''' Nobuo Nakagawa | + | *'''Sequence:''' [[Nobuo Nakagawa]] |
*'''Item:''' [[Makoto Suzuki]] | *'''Item:''' [[Makoto Suzuki]] | ||
− | *'''Network:''' [[Akio Setsumasa]], Kazuhiro Tonogi, Junichi Takeda | + | *'''Network:''' [[Akio Setsumasa]], [[Kazuhiro Tonogi]], [[Junichi Takeda]] |
{{creditsheader|Graphic Design Section}} | {{creditsheader|Graphic Design Section}} | ||
− | *'''Character/Item:''' [[Wataru Watanabe]], [[Yuki Takahashi]] | + | *'''Character/Item:''' [[Wataru Watanabe]], [[Yuki Takahashi (artist)|Yuki Takahashi]] |
*'''Assistants:''' Akiyoshi Fushimi, Yonesuke Miki | *'''Assistants:''' Akiyoshi Fushimi, Yonesuke Miki | ||
*'''Character Motion:''' [[Tomonori Dobashi]] | *'''Character Motion:''' [[Tomonori Dobashi]] | ||
Line 143: | Line 148: | ||
*'''Recording Engineer:''' [[Hirokazu Akashi]], [[Yoshitada Miya]], Hirofumi Sako | *'''Recording Engineer:''' [[Hirokazu Akashi]], [[Yoshitada Miya]], Hirofumi Sako | ||
*'''Assistant Engineer:''' [[Sawako Sogabe]], Kazunori Yoshida (Sound City), Satoshi Nakazawa (Sound City) | *'''Assistant Engineer:''' [[Sawako Sogabe]], Kazunori Yoshida (Sound City), Satoshi Nakazawa (Sound City) | ||
− | *'''Recorded At:''' [[Wave Master|Wave Master Recording Studio]] (June-Oct 2000), Sound City Studio (Sep 2000) | + | *'''Recorded At:''' [[Wave Master|Wave Master Recording Studio]] (June-Oct 2000), [[Sound City Studio]] (Sep 2000) |
{{creditsheader|London Recording Unit}} | {{creditsheader|London Recording Unit}} | ||
*'''Vocal:''' Loren | *'''Vocal:''' Loren | ||
Line 162: | Line 167: | ||
*'''International Business & Product Development:''' [[Hiroyuki Miyazaki]], [[Shinobu Shindo]], [[Hitoshi Okuno]] | *'''International Business & Product Development:''' [[Hiroyuki Miyazaki]], [[Shinobu Shindo]], [[Hitoshi Okuno]] | ||
{{creditsheader|Consumer Product Dept.}} | {{creditsheader|Consumer Product Dept.}} | ||
− | *'''Team Manager:''' [[Akira Nishikawa]], [[ | + | *'''Team Manager:''' [[Akira Nishikawa]], [[Hideki Yohkaichiya]], [[Yoshimitsu Wakai]] |
− | *'''Quality Assurance Dept.:''' Takaaki Jindou, Dan Baker, [[Sunao Murayama]] | + | *'''Quality Assurance Dept.:''' [[Takaaki Jindou]], Dan Baker, [[Sunao Murayama]] |
*'''Sales Promotions:''' [[Takayoshi Ohuchi]], Naoko Ohoka, [[Kazuhiro Asami]] | *'''Sales Promotions:''' [[Takayoshi Ohuchi]], Naoko Ohoka, [[Kazuhiro Asami]] | ||
{{creditsheader|Licensing Dept}} | {{creditsheader|Licensing Dept}} | ||
Line 201: | Line 206: | ||
*'''Localization Producer:''' [[Kuniyo Matsumoto]] | *'''Localization Producer:''' [[Kuniyo Matsumoto]] | ||
*'''Test Manager:''' [[Jason Cumberbatch]] | *'''Test Manager:''' [[Jason Cumberbatch]] | ||
− | *'''Lead Tester:''' Nick Bennett | + | *'''Lead Tester:''' [[Nick Bennett]] |
− | *'''Language Co-Ordinator:''' Caroline Ruiz | + | *'''Language Co-Ordinator:''' [[Caroline Ruiz]] |
{{creditsheader|Marketing Support}} | {{creditsheader|Marketing Support}} | ||
*'''European Product Marketing Manager:''' [[Jim Pride]] | *'''European Product Marketing Manager:''' [[Jim Pride]] | ||
Line 211: | Line 216: | ||
*'''Network Engineer:''' [[Stephen Tan]] | *'''Network Engineer:''' [[Stephen Tan]] | ||
*'''Network Qc:''' Teruo Yabumoto | *'''Network Qc:''' Teruo Yabumoto | ||
− | *'''Special Thanks:''' [[Sonic Team USA]], [[Tadashi Takezaki]], Toshimasa Kubo, [[Tsuyoshi Sawada]], Ayako Hino, [[Ikuo Ishizaka]], [[Takayuki Ohta]], [[Mutsuhiro Fujii]], [[Masahiro Wakayama]], [[Yasuko Maruyama]], [[Cord Smith]], Every Hunters of Pso | + | *'''Special Thanks:''' [[Sonic Team USA]], [[Tadashi Takezaki]], [[Toshimasa Kubo]], [[Tsuyoshi Sawada]], Ayako Hino, [[Ikuo Ishizaka]], [[Takayuki Ohta]], [[Mutsuhiro Fujii]], [[Masahiro Wakayama]], [[Yasuko Maruyama]], [[Cord Smith]], Every Hunters of Pso |
*'''Executive Supervisor:''' [[Isao Okawa|ISAO OOKAWA]] | *'''Executive Supervisor:''' [[Isao Okawa|ISAO OOKAWA]] | ||
*'''Presented by:''' [[Sega]] | *'''Presented by:''' [[Sega]] | ||
Line 225: | Line 230: | ||
==Promotional material== | ==Promotional material== | ||
{{gallery | {{gallery | ||
− | |{{galleryPrintAd | + | |{{galleryPrintAd|dmjp|2001-02|2,3}} |
}} | }} | ||
Line 243: | Line 248: | ||
{{ratings | {{ratings | ||
| icon=DC | | icon=DC | ||
− | |||
− | |||
| cinescape=100 | | cinescape=100 | ||
| cinescape_source=''11/03/2001'' | | cinescape_source=''11/03/2001'' | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
| gi=88 | | gi=88 | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Scanbox | {{Scanbox | ||
Line 272: | Line 261: | ||
| spinecard=PSOV2 DC JP Spinecard.jpg | | spinecard=PSOV2 DC JP Spinecard.jpg | ||
| inlay=PSOV2 DC JP Inlay.jpg | | inlay=PSOV2 DC JP Inlay.jpg | ||
+ | | manual=PSOV2 DC JP Manual.pdf | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Scanbox | {{Scanbox | ||
Line 281: | Line 271: | ||
| disc= | | disc= | ||
| inlay=PSOVer2DCUSInlay.jpg | | inlay=PSOVer2DCUSInlay.jpg | ||
+ | | manual=PSOV2 DC US Manual.pdf | ||
}}{{Scanbox | }}{{Scanbox | ||
| console=Dreamcast | | console=Dreamcast | ||
Line 316: | Line 307: | ||
==Technical information== | ==Technical information== | ||
+ | {{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}} | ||
+ | ===ROM dump status=== | ||
+ | {{romtable| | ||
+ | {{rom|DC|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=|source=GD-ROM (JP)|comments=|quality=|prototype=}} | ||
+ | {{rom|DC|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=|source=GD-ROM (US)|comments=|quality=|prototype=}} | ||
+ | {{rom|DC|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=|source=GD-ROM (EU)|comments=|quality=|prototype=}} | ||
+ | {{rom|DC|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=|date=2000-08-22|source=GD-R|comments=|quality=|prototype=yes|protoname=Dreamcast prototype; 2000-08-22}} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
===VMU Features=== | ===VMU Features=== | ||
Character Data from ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'' can be converted to be used in version 2. Once it is converted, the character can no longer be used by the previous version. | Character Data from ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'' can be converted to be used in version 2. Once it is converted, the character can no longer be used by the previous version. | ||
Line 438: | Line 438: | ||
|[[Image:Pso Guild.png]] | |[[Image:Pso Guild.png]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
+ | * Sega of America webpage: [https://web.archive.org/web/20031009014207/http://www.sega.com:80/games/dreamcast/post_dreamcastgame.jhtml?PRODID=770 Dreamcast] | ||
* Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/ Dreamcast], [https://web.archive.org/web/20080909070810/http://sega.jp:80/pc/pso/ PC] | * Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://sega.jp/dc/010517/ Dreamcast], [https://web.archive.org/web/20080909070810/http://sega.jp:80/pc/pso/ PC] | ||
Line 451: | Line 446: | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
− | {{ | + | {{PSOV2Omni}} |
{{PhantasyStar}} | {{PhantasyStar}} | ||
+ | [[Category:MMORPGs]] |
Revision as of 02:56, 28 April 2024
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
System(s): Sega Dreamcast, Windows PC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: Sega Sega PC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Sonic Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Supporting companies: Quality Assurance Dept. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Peripherals supported: Broadband Adapter, Jump Pack, Dreamcast Keyboard, Dreamcast Modem, Visual Memory Unit, Dreamcast VGA Box | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre: Network RPG (ネットワークRPG)[1][2][3], RPG[4] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of players: 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Official in-game languages: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (ファンタシースターオンライン Ver. 2) is not a new game but rather an updated and refined version of the original Phantasy Star Online. The game was released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2001 and would later be used as the basis for a Windows PC port released in that same year exclusively to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
Contents
History
Development
The initial version of Phantasy Star Online was rushed to meet its intended 2000 release year after an initial delay. As a result, it shipped with several bugs, exploits and unfinished features that couldn't be addressed due to the Dreamcast's lack of a large enough storage medium for patch updates.
In April 2001, Sega announced that an updated version of the original game with new content and improved features would be released as Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2. This new version of the game would be completed in six months.
Release
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 arrived very late in the Dreamcast's lifespan and was unable to recreate the same levels of success as its predecessor. This is likely due to new conditions imposed on consumers; in North America and Japan, a paid "Hunter's License" subscription was required to play Ver. 2 online. In the US the charge was $5 a month for a minimum of three months.
Conversely, in Europe no charge was placed on online play, however users required a copy of Dreamkey 3.0 for the game to work - a disc only available directly from Sega. Sega chose to shut down their entire online service for those not using 3.0 (or 3.1) discs prior to the release of Ver 2., meaning it was not actually possible to order a 3.0 disc through a Dreamcast[13].
PC version
Following the release of Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 on the Sega Dreamcast, Sonic Team ported this version of the game to the PC as simply "Phantasy Star Online" (often dubbed in the fanbase as simply "PSO PC"). This version of the game was exclusive to Japan, Korea and Taiwan and lacked any form of cross-platform multiplayer with its Dreamcast counterpart. Despite this, the game offered the same language options as its Dreamcast counterpart, enabling the game to be playable in English. The quality of the port was seen as very poor as the game's ridden with graphical glitches and poor design when it comes to the game's PC interface. Furthermore, although this version of the game offered patch updates unlike its Dreamcast counterpart, the game would not receive any of the new features, bug fixes, classes and areas introduced with the release of Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II on the Gamecube and Xbox.
On January 1st, 2004, Sonic Team announced that servers for this version of the game would be closed on January 8th and that a new PC port of Phantasy Star Online was in development, this time being based on Phantasy Star Online Episode I & 2 on Gamecube and Xbox. Players of this version of the game would be able to register 25th to the 31st of March to participate in a Closed Beta of this new version of the game. This port would later be announced as "Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst" on April 4th in order to emphasize a fresh experience.
The PC version of Phantasy Star Online was bundled with Sony's VAIO Note NV laptop when it launched in May 2002[14].
Versions
Changes from Ver. 1
- The game's level cap is increased from 100 to 200. As a result, many characters had their stats rebalanced.
- A new difficulty mode is added for characters level 80 and above called "Ultimate". In this difficulty mode, the enemies spawned in each area are replaced with new enemies and each area's appearance is changed.
- The maximum level for Techniques had been increased to Level 30. This level cap is only available to Force characters however as Hunters and Rangers still have Level 15 as their Technique Level Cap.
- Ver. 2 introduces various new Weapons, Armor, Shields and Mags.
- A shortcut menu can be accessed in Ver. 2 during gameplay by holding
and pressing
to equip or use items. Pressing
with the menu up will change to different item types.
- Android characters can now set traps similar to the ones that can be encountered ingame.
- New game modes were added to the game's Online Mode called Challenge Mode and Battle Mode. Challenge Mode is a mode that emphasizes puzzle solving and team work with other players as they try to complete specially made versions of each stage as quickly as possible. Battle Mode is the game's "PVP" mode. Players can either traverse each area as normal but with the risk of friendly fire or play through preset "Battle Rules.
- Accessible online by Ver. 2 players are Lobbies 11-15. These lobbies contain a soccer minigame called "Go-Go Ball".
- Players can add a "Whistle" sound effect to their Symbol Chat artwork. In addition, a new "Capture" command had been implemented which lets players save other player's Symbol Art.
- Players can search for other players in their current block from the Guild Card menu using various parameters such as the player type and level.
- The option to search the ingame location of a Simple Mail's sender has been added.
- Ver. 2 lets players customize their character's appearance later on by accessing the "Dressing Room" from the character selection screen. This option becomes available for 100,000 Meseta.
- Unlike its predecessor, Ver. 2 supports the Broadband Adapter.
Compatibility with Ver. 1
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 is essentially an update to its predecessor, released in the form of a separate standalone disc due to the Dreamcast lacking a large storage medium for patch updates. As a result, barring the new features and bug fixes, the game is identical to the standard Phantasy Star Online. Furthermore, save data from the original release could be permanently transferred to Ver. 2.
As a result of Ver. 2 being an 'update', players from Ver. 2 and the standard Phantasy Star Online played together on the same servers with the only distinction being Ver. 2 players having orange names while players from the original version of Phantasy Star Online 2 had white names. With that said, features introduced in Ver. 2 such as the new Lobbies, Challenge Mode and Battle Mode were not available to players of the original Phantasy Star Online.
Production credits
- Producer: Yuji Naka
- Director: Takao Miyoshi
- Art Director: Satoshi Sakai
- Program Director: Akio Setsumasa
- Battle/Enemy: Yojiro Ogawa, Kenichi Fujiwara
- Field: Shintaro Hata
- Assistant: Masaya Amano
- Item/Technique: Kenichi Fujiwara
- Network/Word Select: Kenjiro Morimoto
- Sequence/Sound/Manual: Daisuke Mori
- City/Quest/Script Writer: Akinori Nishiyama
- Quest Script: Atsushi Kanno, Hidenobu Hasebe
- Assistants: Tomoyuki Hayashi, Michio Abe, Kenji Odaka, Akiyoshi Fushimi, Yonosuke Miki
- Character: Masanobu Yamamoto
- Enemy: Kouichi Toya, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Akihiko Shinya, Masakazu Miura
- Sound: Kouichi Toya
- Character Design: Yasuhiro Takahashi
- Battle/Data Saving: Akihiko Shinya
- Technique/Camera: Shinya Matsunami
- Field/City/Quest: Masato Nakazawa
- Word Select: Masakazu Miura
- Menu Window: Ryuichi Ishiguro
- Sequence: Nobuo Nakagawa
- Item: Makoto Suzuki
- Network: Akio Setsumasa, Kazuhiro Tonogi, Junichi Takeda
- Character/Item: Wataru Watanabe, Yuki Takahashi
- Assistants: Akiyoshi Fushimi, Yonesuke Miki
- Character Motion: Tomonori Dobashi
- NPC: Ai Ikeda
- Field: Kosei Kitamura, Sakae Tabata, Michio Abe, Hideaki Moriya, Akira Mikame, Kaori Hitsuda, Kenji Odaka
- Enemy: Satoshi Sakai, Yoshinari Amaike, Masatoshi Yasumura
- Technique/Sequence: Takanori Fukazawa
- Symbol Chat: Haruka Haginoya
- Character Illustration: Akikazu Mizuno
- Motion Capture: Kazuhisa Nishimura (Ldw/Sakuratei), Kazuhiko Mino (Ldw/Sakuratei), Akihito Okimura (Ldw/Sakuratei), Shigeru Ohata (Ldw/Sakuratei)
- Action Cordinator: Mitsuo Abe (AAC)
- Motion Actors: Tomohiko Akiyama (AAC), Motoko Nagino (AAC)
- Sound Director: Fumitaka Shibata
- Sound Creator: Hideaki Kobayashi, Fumie Kumatani
- Orchestra Recording Producer: Kotaro Kamada (Band Power)
- Orchestra Arranger: Daisuke Okamoto, Toshiaki Iida
- Conductor: Yasufumi Tokito
- Main Orchestra Play: Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra
- Orchestra Chief Manager: Hiroyuki Tominaga (Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra)
- Musician Co-Ordinator: Ayako Sato (Witchcraft)
- Recording Engineer: Hirokazu Akashi, Yoshitada Miya, Hirofumi Sako
- Assistant Engineer: Sawako Sogabe, Kazunori Yoshida (Sound City), Satoshi Nakazawa (Sound City)
- Recorded At: Wave Master Recording Studio (June-Oct 2000), Sound City Studio (Sep 2000)
- Vocal: Loren
- Recording Co-Ordinator: Shiro Sagisu (Ro-Jam)
- Recording Director: Kan Hashimoto (Jail House)
- Recording Engineer: Philip Bagenal
- Recorded At: Eastcote Studios London U.K. (Oct 2000)
- Sound Co-Ordinator: Yukifumi Makino
- Sound Created By: Wave Master Inc.
- Executive Management: Hideki Sato, Tetsu Kayama
- System R&D Dept.: Kenichi Iwanaga, Jiro Terakawa, Masahito Nishimatsu, Yuki Yamanaka, Takuji Konuma, Masahiro Sato, Akihiro Etori
- Product Management Dept.: Masanao Maeda, Seijiro Sannabe, Yasushi Yamashita
- Team Manager: Yoshihiro Sakuta
- Designer: Youichi Yakahashi
- Editor: Chieko Nakamura
- International Business & Product Development: Hiroyuki Miyazaki, Shinobu Shindo, Hitoshi Okuno
- Team Manager: Akira Nishikawa, Hideki Yohkaichiya, Yoshimitsu Wakai
- Quality Assurance Dept.: Takaaki Jindou, Dan Baker, Sunao Murayama
- Sales Promotions: Takayoshi Ohuchi, Naoko Ohoka, Kazuhiro Asami
- Licensing Director: Masahiro Nakagawa, Toshiki Izawa
- General Manager: Hiroshi Nakanishi, Game Business Dept.
- Manager: Keiichiro Suzuki
- Producer: Akihiro Itoh, Takeshi Hotta, Rikiya Katagai
- Communication Server Development: Akito Osame
- General Manager: Kunihiko Hayashi
- President & Coo: Peter Moore
- Executive Vice: Shinobu Toyoda
- Localization Producer: Jason Kuo
- Localization Manager: Osamu Shibamiya
- VP of Localization: Jin Shimazaki
- Lead Tester: Gabrielle Brown
- Assistant Leads: Tom Fong, Shaheed Khan
- Product Manager: Rich Briggs
- Associate Product Manager: Noah Musler
- Director of Product Marketing: John Golden
- Creative Services: Bob Schonfisch, Angela Santos
- Public relations: Gwen Marker
- CTO: Muwaffa Lahham
- Network Producer: Ryan Hurth
- Marketing Project Manager: Bee Yinn Low
- Lead Network Analyst: Jason Nolen
- Sega Europe Chief Operating Officer: Kazutoshi Miyake
- Director of Product Development: Naohiko Hoshino
- Assidtant Director of Product Development: Kats Sato
- Localization Producer: Kuniyo Matsumoto
- Test Manager: Jason Cumberbatch
- Lead Tester: Nick Bennett
- Language Co-Ordinator: Caroline Ruiz
- European Product Marketing Manager: Jim Pride
- European Product Marketing Executive: Mark Fisher
- Public Relations Executive: Stuart Turner
- Manual/Packaging/Senior Designer: Ross McLeish
- Network Manager: Ryusuke Ito
- Network Engineer: Stephen Tan
- Network Qc: Teruo Yabumoto
- Special Thanks: Sonic Team USA, Tadashi Takezaki, Toshimasa Kubo, Tsuyoshi Sawada, Ayako Hino, Ikuo Ishizaka, Takayuki Ohta, Mutsuhiro Fujii, Masahiro Wakayama, Yasuko Maruyama, Cord Smith, Every Hunters of Pso
- Executive Supervisor: ISAO OOKAWA
- Presented by: Sega
- Created by: Sonicteam
Magazine articles
- Main article: Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
Wallpapers
The following wallpapers were included as extras on the installation disc of the PC version of Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2.
Physical scans
Dreamcast version
Sega Retro Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
84 | |
---|---|
Based on 15 reviews |
PC version
Technical information
- Main article: Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2/Technical information.
ROM dump status
System | Hash | Size | Build Date | Source | Comments | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
? |
|
GD-ROM (JP) | ||||||||||||
? |
|
GD-ROM (US) | ||||||||||||
? |
|
GD-ROM (EU) | ||||||||||||
? |
|
2000-08-22 | GD-R | Page |
VMU Features
Character Data from Phantasy Star Online can be converted to be used in version 2. Once it is converted, the character can no longer be used by the previous version.
Name | File Name | Comment | File Size | Icon |
---|---|---|---|---|
PSO/MAIN_DATA | PSO______SYS | PSO/MAIN_DATA | 15 blocks | ![]() |
PSO/GUILD_CARD | PSO______GCD | PSO/GUILD_CARD | 30 blocks | ![]() |
External links
References
- ↑ File:PSOV2 DC JP Box Back.jpg
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://sega.jp/dc/010517/ (Wayback Machine: 2008-10-28 15:40)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://sega.jp:80/pc/pso/ (Wayback Machine: 2008-09-09 07:08)
- ↑ https://sega.jp/history/hard/dreamcast/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-04 11:07)
- ↑ http://www.sega.com:80/games/dreamcast/post_dreamcastgame.jhtml?PRODID=770 (Wayback Machine: 2003-10-09 01:42)
- ↑ http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/DetProd.asp?ProductCode=4934 (Wayback Machine: 2002-10-19 21:29)
- ↑ http://special.reserve.co.uk:80/listings/releaseschedindex.php?ma=Dreamcast (Wayback Machine: 2002-02-27 15:13)
- ↑ http://www.amazon.co.uk:80/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/300726/ (Wayback Machine: 2002-12-12 22:11)
- ↑ Dreamcast Magazine, "No. 33" (UK; 2002-03-28), page 4
- ↑ http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RJ9V (Wayback Machine: 2004-11-22 14:42)
- ↑ http://www.centromail.es/top/ficha_liquidacion.asp?codmail=19137&codprov= (Wayback Machine: 2002-06-18 14:38)
- ↑ http://sega.jp/search/result.php?page=6&pf=11 (Wayback Machine: 2017-03-03 23:30)
- ↑ Dreamcast Magazine, "No. 33" (UK; 2002-03-28), page 9
- ↑ http://sega.jp/corp/release/2002/0513/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-11-18 20:34)
- ↑ BGamer, "Maio 2002" (PT; 2002-0x-xx), page 102
- ↑ Consoles +, "Août 2001" (FR; 2001-07-27), page 90
- ↑ Consoles +, "Avril 2002" (FR; 2002-0x-xx), page 127
- ↑ Digitiser (UK) (2002-03-11)
- ↑ Dreamcast Magazine, "No. 25" (UK; 2001-08-09), page 48
- ↑ Dorimaga, "2001-02 (2001-06-08)" (JP; 2001-05-25), page 36
- ↑ Dorimaga, "2002-18 (2002-10-11)" (JP; 2002-09-27), page 32
- ↑ Edge, "March 2002" (UK; 2002-02-27), page 95
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 2001" (US; 2001-10-02), page 215
- ↑ GameNOW, "November 2001" (US; 2001-10-16), page 94
- ↑ GamePro, "November 2001" (US; 2001-1x-xx), page 158
- ↑ Game Informer, "November 2001" (US; 2001-1x-xx), page 126
- ↑ MAN!AC, "05/2002" (DE; 2002-04-03), page 48
- ↑ PSX Extreme, "07/2001" (PL; 2001-0x-xx), page 49
- ↑ SuperGamePower, "Agosto 2001" (BR; 2001-xx-xx), page 37
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 | |
---|---|
Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Bootlegs
Prototypes: 2000-08-22
|
- Broadband Adapter-compatible games
- Dreamcast Keyboard-compatible games
- Jump Pack-compatible games
- Dreamcast Modem-compatible games
- Dreamcast VGA Box-compatible games
- Visual Memory Unit-compatible games
- 1 player games
- JP Dreamcast games
- US Dreamcast games
- EU Dreamcast games
- DE Dreamcast games
- ES Dreamcast games
- FR Dreamcast games
- UK Dreamcast games
- Dreamcast games
- 2001 Dreamcast games
- All 2001 games
- Dreamcast RPGs
- All RPGs
- JP Windows PC games
- KR Windows PC games
- TW Windows PC games
- PC games
- 2001 PC games
- PC RPGs
- Windows PC games
- Dreamcast games with ADX audio
- Dreamcast games using Flash
- Dreamcast games with Sofdec video
- All games
- Credits without reference
- Old-style rating (cinescape)
- Old-style rating (gi)
- Update ratings template
- 1 old ratings
- Missing ROM hashes
- Games with known prototypes
- Old technical information
- Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2
- Phantasy Star (franchise)
- MMORPGs