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[SolidSnakex]

IGN: Phantasy Star Online came out on GameCube, Xbox and PC. Why have you decided to bring Universe to the PS2 instead of the GameCube or Xbox?

Miyoshi: At the time of PSO, when considering whether to develop for the PS2 or GameCube, we felt that we could release something of higher quality on the GameCube, and so we made GameCube the main platform. And then, we ported the GameCube version to the Xbox. However, for PSU, we felt that we could reach a wider audience by moving over to the PS2 and the PC.

IGN: So is there an Xbox version under consideration?

Miyoshi: There's no plan yet. Although if we did it, it would be on Xbox 360 and not Xbox.

IGN: [rubs hands together in anticipation...]

Miyoshi: There are a tremendous number of Xbox users in America, so we would definitely like to do it, although nothing is decided yet.

IGN: Will the quests, then, be saved to your Memory Card?

Miyoshi: They will be downloaded directly to your PS2's memory before play.

IGN: The PS2 has one advantage over the PC -- the PSP. Will it be possible to connect to the PSP? Or maybe even Phantasy Star Online for the PSP?

[ Miyoshi laughs ]

IGN: If you tell us off the record, we won't tell anyone...

[ Miyoshi exchanges lots of talk in Japanese with the Sega of America representatives making IGN wonder what in the world they're chatting about. ]

Miyoshi: No plans as of now.

IGN: Moving on to gameplay, what is the most important change you made to Phantasy Star Online when creating Phantasy Star Universe?

Miyoshi: The biggest difference that we made for PSU concerns the lobby structure. The structure in PSO was just a lobby where you would go to chat with other members, but in PSU we've created an entire city whose sole purpose is to meet up with other people and to communicate. In a way it feels like a MMO (massively multiplayer Online game) where you have a city with tons of people roaming around, exchanging items, chatting and hooking up with parties to go on quests or head out to dungeons.

IGN: And then you'll have separate servers, of course...

Miyoshi: There will actually likely be more than 100 because the city itself will be divided into divisions or sections -- you know, different floors.

IGN: Are the floors different servers and the escalators and elevators jump between them?

Miyoshi: The floors, escalators and elevators stay on the same server. There's another terminal that allows you to jump to a separate server.

Each floor has its own function. The first floor will have people hanging out, like a park area. The second floor is structured more like an airport, with transportation. Third floor will have shops. The fourth floor will be the guardian headquarters. Guardians, by the way, are the main group that your character joins.

IGN: We assume combos feature heavily in the game...

Miyoshi: In PSO, you could have up to a three hit combo. In PSU, you can build your character to master up to six hits.

IGN: What kind of structure does the Offline mode have? Does it play out like a real RPG or is it mission based?

Miyoshi: The structure of the Offline mode is story based. We placed an emphasis on the story element of the Offline RPG. For a good RPG, story is an essential element. We basically went back to the roots of what makes a good RPG and wanted to create a solid, strong Offline RPG as a foundation and add the Online mode after that. To be honest, that was lacking in PSO. It had a great, fun multiplayer Online mode, but the story element was lacking for it to be considered a classic RPG.

IGN: Do you travel around from town to town and go through dungeons and what not, just like in the old Phantasy Star games?

Miyoshi: Not just towns, but the scale takes place in the universe, so you get to travel between planets -- it's really big.

IGN: As a last question, what are Sonic Team's plans for the next generation of Phantasy Star after Universe?

Miyoshi: We're planning something, but we haven't determined what system or anything like that at this point.

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/650/650101p1.html

PSOWorld has posted a fan translation of the new PSU trailer also

http://www.planetdreamcast.com/psoworld/

The PSO series are still my favorite online games so I can't wait for this. IGN has the number set at 16 for how many people can play on a team in PSU, which would be a big improvement. But I haven't seen any interview where ST confirms that number.

 

[Zeo]

I can't wait for this damn game. Screw all the MMORPGs. It's gonna be all about PSU for me.

 

[AlteredBeast]

I played alot of PSO in my Sega.Net days, and then after with my free internet accoutns that worked with PSO, BlueLight.com, Juno, etc. man, those were the days.

Needless to say, I can´t wait for this game, especially since I never really could get into any MMORPGS, this is more suitable to my tastes.

 

[Uncle Dukey]

I wonder if they'll have split screen again? Doesn't sound like it... The camera sucked, but it was still pretty fun.

 

[haunts]

I'll get this for PC.

 

[jarrod]

Sounds like PSO PSP & PSU 360 are definitely in the works. PSO DS probably too.

 

[Daigoro]

thanks for the post.

im with all the PSO whores here, i will be buying this game ASAP. i have a feeling i will also be spending many many many hours with it.

cant wait. the new info coming out is getting me much more excited lately.

 

[Andy787]

PSO for the PSP would give me a massive, massive erection.

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

PSO for the PSP would give me a massive, massive erection.

My life would be ruined

 

[DonasaurusRex]

its bad enough people cant leave mmorpgs alone at home now you want people to bring them everywhere they go?

 

[∀ Narayan]

I will get this for X360.