PSU: on PS2 and PC this winter

Society said:
Not dead support wise, dead int he same way it has been since xbox game out. Why couldn't this be next gen game? Next gen will be here when this game comes out.
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yeah and only a hundred of the poeple will have a next gen system. you can make even more money with the current generation for the next 1-2 years -> the ea psone love shows this.
 
ram said:
yeah and only a hundred of the poeple will have a next gen system. you can make even more money with the current generation for the next 1-2 years -> the ea psone love shows this.
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Eh? People buy are more likely to buy a game at console launch even if they would not normally purchase a game. What kind of sales are you expecting from this game?
 
Hardware - NPD, February 2005

PS2 = 533,000
Xbox = 212,000
GCN = 116,000

Software- NPD, February 2005

1 PS2 GRAN TURISMO 4 Sony $30,527,340 618,559
2 PS2 NBA STREET V3 Electronic Arts $10,424,910 212,773
3 PS2 GRAND THEFT: ANDREAS Take-Two Interactive $7,634,198 159,167
4 PS2 MVP BASEBALL 2005 Electroni Arts $4,031,346 134,726
5 GBA ZELDA: THE MINISH CAP Nintendo $3,768,164 123,736
6 XBX NBA STREET V3 Electronic Arts $5,731,482 117,251
7 PS2 MERCENARIES LucasArts $5,238,154 105,198
8 GCN RESIDENT EVIL 4 Capcom $5,205,004 103,455
9 PS2 CHAMPIONS:RETURN ARMS Sony $5,023,108 102,167
10 PS2 MADDEN NFL 2005 Electronic Arts $2,837,222 99,526

I won't even bother posting UK or Japanese charts - it certainly doesn't look like a dead console to me...but what do I know?

Anyway, unexpectedly good move by Sonic Team.
 
ha?

do you really think a new game will get a bigger userbase on a 400€ next gen system, than on (already 20 million user) current gen system? thats bullshit - the chances are zero to none, that such a game will have the same impact on a new console with a minimal userbase, than as with the market leader.
 
ram said:
ha?

do you really think a new game will get a bigger userbase on a 400€ next gen system, than on (already 20 million user) current gen system? thats bullshit - the chances are zero to none, that such a game will have the same impact on a new console with a minimal userbase, than as with the market leader.
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Cancel next gen. The games will not sell.
 
Izzy brings up a good secondary point with that NPD chart - if you were a developer looking to cause the least amount of message board backlash, would you develop for the system that accounts for 7 of the 10 best-selling titles in a month or the platform that only has one?
 
BuddyC said:
Izzy brings up a good seconday point with that NPD chart - if you were a developer looking to sell as much software as possible, would you develop for the system that accounts for 7 of the 10 best-selling titles in a month or the platform that only has one?
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...both?
 
SolidSnakex said:
With the way you're talking about fanbases you'd think they were walking away from just selling a version of this game that sold millions.
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Well, it sold half a million anyway. Which is more than any other Sega RPG this gen.


SolidSnakex said:
That'd make sense for graphics, but would it make sense for sales? The best selling RPG last gen came out months after the PS2 was released (DQ7). The PS2 has a huge fanbase that it can sell too, and most signs point to the PS3 being BC so you'll be able to play it on that too.
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Unfortunately, Phantasy Star isn't Dragon Quest. In the end, raw userbase matters much less than actually reaching a specific fanbase.... I actually think this game would do better as an Xbox 360 launch title, enjoying the launch/media push and relative lack of competition, than it will on the overcrowded mature PS2 market. It'll be passed over and forgotten quickly, like so many other promising PS2 games these days. I dunno, best case scenario I can see PSO GC level sales but they could've probably achieved that on any platform this gen really. :/

Developers seem to forget that the massive PS2 base isn't some sort of band-aid for solid market research. For every PS2 hit from a company (Monster Hunter) there's 10 bombs waiting in the wings (auto modellista, Chaos Legion, Dragon Quarter, Gio Gio, etc)... sure more potential customers exist, but that doesn't matter when the odds are you won't reach more than a sliver of a fraction of them. Hopefully PSO can still muster some JP notoriety, but I don't really see this game going well anywhere else (especially if it's HDD reliant). Wasted effort imo, which would've been better served carving out a fresh fanbase on the next gen machines.
 
jarrod said:
I actually think this game would do better as an Xbox 360 launch title, enjoying the launch/media push and relative lack of competition, than it will on the overcrowded mature PS2 market. It'll be passed over and forgotten quickly, like so many other promising PS2 games these days.
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I don't think there are any other upcoming online PS2 RPG's. Monster Hunter has already shown that these games can sell. And unlike PS, it had no name to help sell it. It started from scratch and became a surprise success.

If its marketed right (something PSO never had) I can see it doing over a million worldwide. Which should satisfy Sega. The PS2 unlike the GC is very strong in every territory so it'll have a good shot at doing it.
 
I, for one, love the fact that this is a PS2 online title.

Methinks it'll be a "hybrid" RPG, where you can play the main quest alone (controlling the entire party yourself), or online (where your party is controlled by other players).

:D
 
SolidSnakex said:
I don't think there are any other upcoming online PS2 RPG's. Monster Hunter has already shown that these games can sell. And unlike PS, it had no name to help sell it. It started from scratch and became a surprise success.

If its marketed right (something PSO never had) I can see it doing over a million worldwide. Which should satisfy Sega. The PS2 unlike the GC is very strong in every territory so it'll have a good shot at doing it.
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Over a million is a pipe dream. Any game can do that "if marketed right" and PSU definitely won't be, don't kid yourself. This game won't outsell Monster Hunter in Japan either... another missed opportunity for Sega as far as I'm concerned. This would've been a huge deal as an early next gen game, one of the first online RPGs too... now it's going to be fighting for scraps on the overcrowded PS2 market rather than building up a new fanbase that it could coast on for 5+ years.

The more I think about it, the less surprising it seems. This move is 100% standard Sega. :/


The End said:
It's good for Sega that they've finally decided to put this series on a console that has an online presence.
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Unlike Dreamcast and Xbox you mean?
 
jarrod said:
Over a million is a pipe dream. Any game can do that "if marketed right" and PSU definitely won't be, don't kid yourself. This game won't outsell Monster Hunter in Japan either... another missed opportunity for Sega as far as I'm concerned. This would've been a huge deal as an early next gen game, one of the first online RPGs too... now it's going to be fighting for scraps on the overcrowded PS2 market rather than building up a new fanbase that it could coast on for 5+ years.
So you think it'd had a better chance of outselling MH on the Xbox 360 in Japan? The next gen of a system thats never had a game that even sold as much MH there?

The PS2 is their best bet. It has the strongest support for RPG's, its games will likely be BC with the PS3 also which could give it a boost too.
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http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/news_story.php?id=116252
11:46 Sega's Sonic Team is set to revive one of the Dreamcast's finest hours, with the advent of Phantasy Star Universe, a brand new massively multiplayer RPG which is set for release before the end of this year on Xbox, PC and PS2.

"A MMORPG on the Dreamcast? Surely you jest?" we hear you cry. But no kids, it's all true. And Phantasy Star Online was a highly regarded, early 56k console delve into the world of online, possibly only surpassed by the glorious mismatch which saw Dreamcast owners wholesale slaughter at the hands of PC Quake III Arena players.

Actually we broke first details on this last year, when it was slated as a GameCube exclusive. But a whole lot has changed since then because now Phantasy Star Universe is set to rock Xbox, PC and PS2 owners' bones before the end of 2005, with a release in the US and Japan currently pegged for around November.

There's few details at present except that Phantasy Star Universe is being developed by Sega's mighty Sonic team, and that in its consoles incarnations it will support up to 65 players and cost around $65 in the US.

No details on whether there'll be an ongoing subscription or not, but we have seen the first cheeky image from the game and we have to report it really does seem to live up to the sumptuous graphics of its illustrious predecessor. Wouldn't it be great if Sonic Team could also implement some swinging cross-platform action too, with PC players adventuring alongside their Xbox counterparts? One from our great gaming wish list.

Anyway, we're currently awaiting a response from Sega HQ on possible European release dates and details but we have to say it's great to see one of the classic online franchises revived. Phantasy Star Universe should further cement Sega's growing presence in the MMORPG online world.

More on Phantasy Star Universe as it arrives.
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So, also coming to Xbox ?
 
SolidSnakex said:
So you think it'd had a better chance of outselling MH on the Xbox 360 in Japan? The next gen of a system thats never had a game that even sold as much MH there?
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Worldwide, it'd certainly have a better chance thanks to Monster Hunter stalling in the west. It'd have far more growth potential too though, launch games always get a disproportinate boost thanks to extra media attentention and less competition.


SolidSnakex said:
The PS2 is their best bet. It has the strongest support for RPG's, its games will likely be BC with the PS3 also which could give it a boost too.
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PS2 certainly has the strongest support for megahit franchise RPGs (FF, DQ, Tales, etc) but it's extremely hit or miss for middle of the road RPGs like Phantasy Star. Look at Sega's other RPG sales on the platform even, Sakura Taisen and Shining Tears aren't exactly breaking records here. Where was this strong support for Shin Megami Tensei, Suikoden, Breath of Fire, Wild ARMs, Arc the Lad or Shadow Hearts? Online RPGs have done even worse, look at FFXI and Nobunga Online. Again, userbase is far less important for these sorts of games than successfully targeting a specific base.


Anyway I get the sense you're not really looking at what I'm proposing here, missing exactly why next generation would be a better bet for PSU. I get the sense you see what I'm saying in more black & white terms (anti-Sony, pro-MS) when that has little to do with it. Pushing a pay-to-play online game this late in the generation makes little sense regardless of platform, this isn't PS2 specific. Xbox or GameCube would be equally bad choices. And this isn't about singling out MS for next gen either, this game would get the same benfits being a PS3, Revolution or even PSP game. Even if this game would sell on the same on PS2 versus Xenon, it's coming in the decline period for the current generation. There's so much competition, the market so saturated, the odds are an online, pay-to-play RPG just has little chance of winning the current audience over. Not to say PSU will bomb on PS2, I think it'll probably do around 400-500k worldwide (which is respectable) but all that work will have been wasted in 2 years when the PS2 becomes a budget shovelware dumping ground to make way for PS3. Meanwhile, if the game was on Xenon (or PSP) it would've built up a new fanbase that Sonic Team could solidify and cater too for the remainder of the generation over the next 5 or 6 years. It's just another wasted opportunity, another decision coming 3 years too late, another typical Sega move. :/
 
So is this online or not? I'm hearing both sides in this thread.

If it's online, I can understand the abandonment of the GC version, but if it's not, there's simply no reason to put it on the just the PC.
 
solarplexus said:
C&VG got this story from 1UP.

http://egm.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3138701


My hint
PS2 = Japan and maybe USA & Europe
Xbox = Europe, USA but not in Japan
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I still think Xbox is just placeholder for Xenon...unless the system is truly BC it's truly stupid to release an online RPG on a console with a succesor launching so soon.

Or it's cross live compatable with a Xenon version.

yes yes...i know it hasn't been announced but it just makes sense (besides no dev has been upfront with their titles in dev on xenon...Until the console is revealed they don't have to)
 
The PSP is made for something like PSO/Monster Hunter. I'm amazed neither Capcom nor Sega have announced something yet.
 
The End said:
The PSP is made for something like PSO/Monster Hunter. I'm amazed neither Capcom nor Sega have announced something yet.
Click to expand...

There was that Capcom PSP poll which listed MH as an option. Although whether they just bunged a bunch of their franchises into a poll, or whether they actually consider it a good fit anyway, it's unclear.
 
jarrod said:
Where was this strong support for Shin Megami Tensei, Suikoden, Breath of Fire, Wild ARMs, Arc the Lad or Shadow Hearts? Online RPGs have done even worse, look at FFXI and Nobunga Online. Again, userbase is far less important for these sorts of games than successfully targeting a specific base.
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I'm talking about games that get marketed. PSU need to be marketed if it has a chance of selling, this goes for any RPG. I also don't really see how you can fault FFXI's sales. It's sold more than PSO despite the high price you have to pay to even play it. You don't have the benefit of offline gaming with it unlike PSO.

I see what you're saying about next gen stuff. I just don't put so much into how important launch games are. You're making it out like it could assure that its a stable series. But the majority of games that are succesful at launche don't do nearly as well with the sequels that follow. They could secure some decent sales at launch, but that won't mean much in the future. No matter what you're going to have to fight through a bigger lineup for the system you're releasing on at some point. I think its far too much of a risk to go with a launch. Sega's done enough risking already and doing sh!t that they really shouldn't have. Online PS games should've been on the PS2 from the start. Its very doubtful this thing is going to require a network adapter given the PStwo's design. So it could really benefit from all the users that are buying that up now since it has a built in network adapter.

I still stand by this being the best decision Sega could've made with this. They've screwed up alot of decisions in the past, I don't think this is one of them.
 
I don't know why people keep coming up with the point BUT do people really think the minute Xbox2(or whatever it's called) is released all of the current Xbox owners will all of sudden stop buying games? I keep looking when companies make an announcement about their upcoming titles and the Xbox is still very much in their plans at least through next year.
 
DarkCloud said:
I still think Xbox is just placeholder for Xenon...unless the system is truly BC it's truly stupid to release an online RPG on a console with a succesor launching so soon.

Or it's cross live compatable with a Xenon version.

yes yes...i know it hasn't been announced but it just makes sense (besides no dev has been upfront with their titles in dev on xenon...Until the console is revealed they don't have to)
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If there is really a Xbox version (with C&VG you never know...), then I'm totally sure there will be a Xenon version as well, with this version being also released in Japan for the system launch.
Even if Xbox360 has BC, it would be a big mistake not to make a true version too. And I'm sure MS would be delighted to have such a big name title (and online to boot) as a launch title.
 
SolidSnakex said:
I'm talking about games that get marketed. PSU need to be marketed if it has a chance of selling, this goes for any RPG.
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Well then, expect another typical Sega PS2 performance. ;)


SolidSnakex said:
I also don't really see how you can fault FFXI's sales. It's sold more than PSO despite the high price you have to pay to even play it. You don't have the benefit of offline gaming with it unlike PSO.
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Actually, it hasn't outsold PSO.


SolidSnakex said:
I see what you're saying about next gen stuff. I just don't put so much into how important launch games are. You're making it out like it could assure that its a stable series. But the majority of games that are succesful at launche don't do nearly as well with the sequels that follow. They could secure some decent sales at launch, but that won't mean much in the future.
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Patently untrue. Look at Halo, SSX or Sega's own Monkey Ball for good examples to the contrary. Coming out with an excellent unique product at launch can guarantee you receptive fanbase for the life of a platform.


SolidSnakex said:
No matter what you're going to have to fight through a bigger lineup for the system you're releasing on at some point.
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It helps to have a hungry fanbase built up though. Again, Monkey Ball and Halo make good examples.


SolidSnakex said:
I think its far too much of a risk to go with a launch.
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More risky than the overcrowded, post peak lifecycle PS2 marketplace? Hardly.

How well would Super Monkey Ball sell on the current PS2 had it been released now for the first time? Halo? Fantavision?


SolidSnakex said:
Sega's done enough risking already and doing sh!t that they really shouldn't have.
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PSU released on Xenon or PSP this year would be far from risky. Thank god Naka at least has the foresight for a PC release to save his ass.


SolidSnakex said:
Online PS games should've been on the PS2 from the start.
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This is the one insightful thing you've said in this whole thread. It's just too late for that though now, so why not move to a new platform at it's start to get in on the ground floor and build a sloid base that'll last a generation?


SolidSnakex said:
Its very doubtful this thing is going to require a network adapter given the PStwo's design. So it could really benefit from all the users that are buying that up now since it has a built in network adapter.
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What if it needs the HDD? It's a 65 player game after all and Sonic Team's not ever done server side saving for consoles afaik. :/


SolidSnakex said:
I still stand by this being the best decision Sega could've made with this. They've screwed up alot of decisions in the past, I don't think this is one of them.
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No way, this is typical Sega. Too little, too late. I don;t why I expected any different. :/
 
jarrod said:
What if it needs the HDD? It's a 65 player game after all and Sonic Team's not ever done server side saving for consoles afaik. :/
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I think you'll see server side saving for this one, a la Final Fantasy XI. Blue Burst introduced server side saving, finally, and I doubt that they'd take a step backwards. Then again, it's Sega. Guess we'll just have to wait on that EGM.
 
All I want to know: Online or Offline?

I'm looking for a successor to PSIV I played the PSO's and it's fun but it gets really boring after a while.
 
Warning sign 1 = It's Sega

Warning sign 2 = Tons of FMV/cutscenes/no gameplay news

Warning sign 3 = Generic-ass PSO designs


Sorry, call me cynical but Sega's in fan-trashing mode lately and I don't see this being anything different. If it's anything at all like PSO, I'm not interested in the slightest. :D
 
Ugh,it better come to the Xbox/Xenon in some shape or form,the PS2's online sucks balls and my PC is not a gaming PC.
 
BuddyC said:
Both.
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Both? as in Shitty offline PSO experience/ moderate online fun? or both as in Offline story mode RPG with Online elements?

I don't want to waiste my money on another PSO game if it's just going to be the samething with more classes etc.
 
PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE REVEALED!

Classic MMORPG franchise revived by Sega's Sonic Team

11:46 Sega's Sonic Team is set to revive one of the Dreamcast's finest hours, with the advent of Phantasy Star Universe, a brand new massively multiplayer RPG which is set for release before the end of this year on Xbox, PC and PS2.

"A MMORPG on the Dreamcast? Surely you jest?" we hear you cry. But no kids, it's all true. And Phantasy Star Online was a highly regarded, early 56k console delve into the world of online, possibly only surpassed by the glorious mismatch which saw Dreamcast owners wholesale slaughter at the hands of PC Quake III Arena players.

Actually we broke first details on this last year, when it was slated as a GameCube exclusive. But a whole lot has changed since then because now Phantasy Star Universe is set to rock Xbox, PC and PS2 owners' bones before the end of 2005, with a release in the US and Japan currently pegged for around November.





There's few details at present except that Phantasy Star Universe is being developed by Sega's mighty Sonic team, and that in its consoles incarnations it will support up to 65 players and cost around $65 in the US.

No details on whether there'll be an ongoing subscription or not, but we have seen the first cheeky image from the game and we have to report it really does seem to live up to the sumptuous graphics of its illustrious predecessor. Wouldn't it be great if Sonic Team could also implement some swinging cross-platform action too, with PC players adventuring alongside their Xbox counterparts? One from our great gaming wish list.

Anyway, we're currently awaiting a response from Sega HQ on possible European release dates and details but we have to say it's great to see one of the classic online franchises revived. Phantasy Star Universe should further cement Sega's growing presence in the MMORPG online world.

More on Phantasy Star Universe as it arrives.
Click to expand...

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/front_index.php?
 
EGM92 said:
Both? as in Shitty offline PSO experience/ moderate online fun? or both as in Offline story mode RPG with Online elements?

I don't want to waiste my money on another PSO game if it's just going to be the samething with more classes etc.
Click to expand...
Both as in there will be Online and Offline play with the Offline featuring those cinematics you see in the scan. Beyond that, those in the know can't reveal anything else until the EGM info hits :/

I'd put my bets on an action-based battle system though, at least online. So you'll probably hate it.
 
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/596/596788p1.html

anoop laying the CaV smackdown ::
First off, platform. The magazine lists Phantasy Star Universe as being in development for the PC and PlayStation 2. It does not list any other platform, so we can presume that, in Japan at least, the game is coming to these two platforms alone.
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i like how CaV said the game was originally GC exclusive and then completely dropped from the console.. when a console was never originally announced.
 
M3wThr33 said:
I don't see a translation, but isn't it a big leap to assume it's online?
Click to expand...

The words in that picture are all about backstory on the series (and game) and about the characters and their mission to defend the universe and all that. No actual info about the gameplay is specifically revealed except for that info box that says it's for PS2 and PC.

Still, looks cool. The fact that they have two pre-named characters here certainly implies a one player component.
 
- NO official news by Sonic Team

- EDGE Online interview (February 2005 issue):

http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2005/02/qa_yuji_naka.php

What are your plans for the next year and the new hardware?

Well, Sonic DS is coming as well as another title for DS, and there will be a PSP title also. And next year, Phantasy Star Universe will come out, so we're really busy on that at this moment - I don't think we will have time for many other new games. I can't talk much about the details of PSU, but I have just been in Poland with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra for recording, which was a great feeling. We're very excited about it.


Phantasy Star Universe:
- 2006 release
- next generation


:)
 
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