Phantasy Star Universe temporarily collapsed

  • By Walt Wyman, GameSpot
  • Posted Sep 5, 2006 10:28 am PT

Technical problems force Sega to shut down servers just days after release; game to relaunch in October.

Creating a universe is a big job, and Sega is taking a mulligan on its Phantasy Star Universe to get the job right. In a letter addressed to Phantasy Star Online users this week, Sega apologized for a series of technical glitches that stymied many users' efforts to play the game online.

The game, which went on sale for the PlayStation 2 and PC in Japan on August 31, suffered problems in its online mode from the outset. When trying to connect online, players were met with various technical issues, incluing blank screens and corrupted character data. As a result, Sega was forced to shut down its servers on the evening of September 3 and is working to fix the problem. Service for testing and troubleshooting purposes is scheduled to resume tomorrow.

The game will formally relaunch in October, and the free 30-day trial included with the game will be calculated from this time. The bad news for early adopters who struggled through the game's issues to play is that "it is possible that during the testing period, player data will be rolled back or deleted."

72 Comments

  • tcampbell1976

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 4:18 pm PT

    blueranark - What is even more sad my friend is being lectured about jumping to conclusions when your doing it yourself. Failure aside, I can understand that you are trying to appear clever and intelligent with that response. lol However I've been playing the the JP import of PSU since their launch (despite their server down time) and have plenty of experience in these games not to mention a bachelors in game development to draw these conclusions - not pictures and videos. I don't understand your point that I have no point in looking for innovation when on your profile it says...
    "it doesn't entertain me within ten minutes, it sucks" ...which clearly makes you now look like a hypocrite. Because if your looking for something to entertain you within 10mins of a game - your looking for innovation. Next time before wasting your precious keystrokes complaining about someone... make sure your own complaint doesn't really reflect you my friend.

  • blueranark

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 11:15 am PT

    tcampbell76, no point in playing video games just to find only innovation. Fun is fun, creativity is creativity. You are trying to judge that by looking at pictures and videos? Sad. Before jumping to conclusions, actually spend the $50 to try it out. If you don't like it, your lose.

  • tcampbell76

    Posted Sep 11, 2006 12:19 am PT

    I've thrown away over10 years of my life to many MMORPG's. Frankly I'm at the point where they arn't fun anymore. Left Diablo for the cheating, left PSO for the cheating, left FFXI for the cheating, WoW for cheating... they've turned into huge time sinks full of third party tool using cheaters duping currency, bot claiming mobs, and porting faster around the game worlds. I used to never let it bother me but then I realized one day it's a waste of money towards a game with cheating. It eventually drains all the fun and desire out of playing.

    As for this game, it dosen't look innovating at all. I've played the Phantasy Star series since the Master System and all Phantasy Star Universe looks like to me is them finally trying to make PSO more of an open world as opposed ot some linear dungeon design. The graphics are not much of an improvement either.

  • psycomantis_32

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 4:16 pm PT

    They should let us beta test it, before they release it here...

  • Ojuicy-eyeballO

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 11:32 pm PT

    Why would you post that garbage translation, Gabrial VH? It is a waste of space and whoever designed that program to translate it like that needs to be shot through the heart with a sharp carrot from a cannon!!!! Sega better not mess it up this time....

  • OPOLO

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 8:40 pm PT

    I hope things are fixed for the 360 launch

  • GabrialVH

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 5:40 pm PT

    Heres a very rough translation of the letter if anyone wants it.

    Everyone, this each time you to purchase '[PSU]', thank you truly. Depending upon the server stop after network mode formal service in, has done applying the annoyance which becomes great in the customer, we apologize first from heart. It continues concerning the trouble of the network mode which occurs continuously from sale day, affiliated post employee all, it endeavors to restoration including the development post, but it came to the point of with already for a while receiving time to situation control. Concerning reopening the service, as follows making decide, because it received, we report. September 6th (the water) to evening service reopening 9 end of the month days proper form service than operational October (free period amount 30 days than that point in time re-grant) as for details please refer to description below with test service. September 6th (the water) with evening service reopening present urgent maintenance, it is the schedule which corrects the trouble below. But, because time is required for correction, service reopening September 6th (the water) has planned evening. In order (to avoid access centralization, you refrain the announcement of clear reopening time.)It does to put annoyance to on the customer very much, but no soldier/finishing, understanding it receives, the fish we ask. Furthermore sudden circuit cutting in the trouble game of movement to the trouble my room of trouble server movement of blackout at the time of login, 21 where access concentrates: 00~25: Between 00 time, there is a possibility the trouble which is not expected occurring, but extent of understanding we ask may. Until the result and the trouble which verify the trouble which presently occurs to 9 end of the month days through operational urgent maintenance with test service focus, it is the possibility that several days are required. Therefore, while receiving the period to 9 end of the month days than this putting timely maintenance as a test service period, you make operational. Furthermore, during test service period rollback (resetting to the saving data of the time before) or please understand the fact that it is possibility of game data clearing concerning the game data. It does to put annoyance to on the customer very much, but no soldier/finishing, understanding it receives, the fish we ask. Proper form service than October. Free period to 9 end of the month days your all customers whom the register it receives (the game key) grants free period from the formal service in time amount 30 days attendant upon the execution of re-grant test service from that point in time. It does to put annoyance to on the customer very much, but no soldier/finishing, understanding it receives, the fish we ask. Until corresponding latest consecutive trouble of the SEGA link account register sight is solved, reaches the point where normal management is started, you stopped the sale of [gadeianzuraisensu]. (The new register of the account and the register of the game key are possible.) Already in the schedule which can point to the correspondence which includes the re-grant of free right in regard to the customer who automatic continuous right or 30 day utilization right is purchased, presently we verify circumstance. Making notiify with the future official sight, as it receives, you communicate details, to the mail address where the customer is registered. Being placed on your corresponding customer, whether the mail address which is registered by mistake is not because of sense please verify. In the account register sight you can verify register mail address, with the profile compilation which is indicated in the occasion where login it does. It does to put annoyance to on the customer, but about understanding we ask may. From sale day, 'it becomes the result which points to the feeling of everyone who receives [PSU]' in the pleasure be disheartened, it feels staff all, without excuse from heart. But, the many scolding and, while receiving the voice of encouraging, feeling that anew, it probably will keep re-constructing service without compromising, was discussed from everyone. For the second time you borrow the power of everyone, direct to the re-start from October, would like to keep tackling by all power. September 6th (the water) concerning the use of later, it starts announcing inside the official site, concerning that details one by one, but to take, to hurry at this kind of shape, making service continue, to want to receive, because you know, that no soldier/finishing, understanding it receives cooperation, we ask may.

  • kenerhai

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 5:19 am PT

    ooooh that sux

  • overcode

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 12:07 am PT

    It's all good Sonic Team... just get that b*tch fixed before NA release, lol.

  • The_Dielan

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 3:32 pm PT

    ew

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    at least they are fixing it

  • wingchunstudent

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 11:55 am PT

    Yes, there is a Hunter's Liscense you must purchase to play this game. This liscense will be about $6.99 a month according to most of my resources

  • Berlin17

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 11:50 am PT

    Im sure they will have most of the problems worked out by the US release time. Do you have to pay a fee to play this game?

  • blueranark

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 10:26 am PT

    At least they have the offline campaign to keep them busy. Unless they already beat it than I don't know what to suggest.

  • Ravier666

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 9:03 am PT

    October can't come soon enough, It's about time that I put an end to my 500+ hours of PSO on my cube and dreamcast. Sega really knows how to make great games that become instant classics from day one, and really cares about it's loyal fans.

  • WPack911

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:49 am PT

    Bad for the Japanese, but good for everyone else. Sometimes the first to get a game is not always the most lucky. I still can't wait to play this game, and am very happy these problem's should not be around when I do.

  • i-dunno

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:27 am PT

    God I hope the 360 worlds are separated from the PS2 and PC versions.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 12:05 am PT

    this is not cool

  • Paulf001

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 11:47 pm PT

    They better not reset the characters everytime someone comes out with a new dupe trick or gameshark codes. That would be really lame to have to start over all them times.

  • Kravyn81

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 10:07 pm PT

    D'oh, Sega! I think the Yakuza are behind it, if ya know what I mean

  • CyphenX

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 9:53 pm PT

    Yeah, I loved PSO too. Sega cares about it fans, and it's nice to know that they're doing a full-on fix instead of a number of patches SW:Galaxies style. I want to try out PSU, and if it's good, I'll get it (once it all comes stateside of course)

  • dyne2198

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 8:45 pm PT

    I know that PSU was leaked a few days earlier than it's street-date in Japan, so maybe that has something to do with it. And besides, Sega is well-known for working last-minute magic, and PSU will be no different. Just be glad that Japan gets it first.....it makes life for us a lot easier.

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 7:33 pm PT

    Ouch - yeah... the trouble with anything MMO-ish.

  • upuratut

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 7:31 pm PT

    i spent hours and hours (about 92) playing PSO for the dreamcast back in the day.. i can't wait for PSU to come out.. hurry up and get the servers ready for the US launch!!

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 6:28 pm PT

    First Madden, then Saint's Row, now Phantasy Star? What the hell is up with developers these days? Oh well, this will seem like the good old days once Vista shows up. That OS will likely be infested with bugs. Better get a can of raid.

  • megablueblaster

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • vanhalendlrband

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 5:22 pm PT

    Swearing is everywhere in life. I guess they better stop sending kids to school too. Seeing it in an online game is nothing, and there's at least one or two swear words in a PG movie these days so tough it out and get real.

    PSU is gonna be awesome, can't wait. I think i'll play it offline tho for the time being.

  • Drudaddy

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 4:53 pm PT

    haaaaa!!!!!!!!

  • SteveTwo

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 3:43 pm PT

    Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast was a favorite game once upon a time. LavisCannon FTW!

  • HaaZ

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    I'm just thrilled to hear they can "roll back" the characters. I was worried that characters were stored on end user equipment like the original Phantasy Star Online incarnations. Once the hacking ran rampant I reluctanlty dropped the game. This wont prevent people taking advantage of glitches, but it definatelly prevents alot.

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 3:15 pm PT

    This is exactly why i hate the new thing with games and systems launching worldwide at the same time, westerners used to always get debugged systems and games, not anymore, we just happened to luck out on this title getting a japanese launch first.

  • Squids-Ahoy

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 3:12 pm PT

    Wow, that really sucks.

  • vaejas

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 2:46 pm PT

    Dark Falz strikes again! Muahahahah!

  • djsaskdja

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 2:37 pm PT

    Theres nothing wrong with saying the f word online or off as long as you dont use it every f**king sentence. wait oops

  • Zifhael

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 2:22 pm PT

    doesnt help when people like *cough* leeroy jenkins *end cough* make the game experience crap for people...then they jsut want to curse even more

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 2:18 pm PT

    thats too bad

  • fujicuro

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 2:14 pm PT

    Shtinky, you don't think there's going to be foul mouthed kids on PS3's online service? LOL, you got another thing coming."

    no, cuz parents aren't gonna buy their kids a system for 600 bucks... and the ones that will know their kids and know that they have respect

    yeah since psu is for ps3. no wait its for ps2 *smacks head* and foul mouth kids arent limited to playing xbox. plus there are plenty of foul mouthed teenagers and adults out there.. ever played World of Warcraft? you cant go 2 seconds without hearing f bombs and gd. ppl are immature.. bottom line.

  • Korubi

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    That's a bummer...they really screwed pu I guess. Hopefully they will have it fixed in time for the US launch.

  • cdriccio

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 1:57 pm PT

    ramses01: But you already pay for live. So you are still paying to play it.

    thisissami: As wire-dj said, The parents that buy the PS3 for their kids most likely have spoiled little brats for kids.

  • PiMacleod_basic

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    how about

    'Foul Mouthed Kids Online' period.

    That's how it is. Every kid who plays any game online, suddenly feels like they can curse and swear all the want, because the opponent isn't there to bash their face in when they get lippy. They know that if they did that in school, or near their parents, that they'd get in trouble -- but get them without supervision and with some friends, and things change. Even then, they aren't as bad as they are online, because the whole thought and presence of other people is enough to make even a child self-conscious enough to calm the naughty words down a bit.

    Just remember that they put the feedback option on XBox Live there for a reason. If they are a swearing little kid, mark them for it. Sure, it takes like 15 seconds to do, but it's worth it....because they will get kicked off of Live for it, even if it's only for a few hours. Point is, maybe, JUST maybe, it'll sink in that if they stop swearing, they'd be able to stay online.

  • wire-dj

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 1:46 pm PT

    "Shtinky, you don't think there's going to be foul mouthed kids on PS3's online service? LOL, you got another thing coming."

    "no, cuz parents aren't gonna buy their kids a system for 600 bucks... and the ones that will know their kids and know that they have respect"

    This is a joke right. Parents who will buy their kids a $600 console are probably spoiled rotten little pieces of feces, who look down on people who do work for Daddy. I am not saying this is going to be true of all parents but you have got to agree with me on this one.

  • Talnar85

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    Well all I can say is that there wont be a huge lead on the online version now. Also Im happy that I dont have to put up with the bugs and other problems there having in the game online.
    I have been waiting for the game foe at least 1-2 years now, I can wait a few months more to play

  • xelloss88

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    Looks like SEGA forgot to do Beta testing...

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 1:01 pm PT

    A poorly designed universe is bound to collapse. -What a bummer for Sega.

  • thisissami

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 12:58 pm PT

    "
    Shtinky, you don't think there's going to be foul mouthed kids on PS3's online service? LOL, you got another thing coming."

    no, cuz parents aren't gonna buy their kids a system for 600 bucks... and the ones that will know their kids and know that they have respect

  • taytizzle

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 12:54 pm PT

    That doesn't matter because I wont play it online

  • jared81799

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 12:52 pm PT

    LOL @ "foul mouthed kids on xbox live" its funny cuz its true. )

  • V-Nine

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    Here we go again! As if PSO wasn't and still is endless nightmare (pun intended) with the rampant/epidimic cheating. Everything is server side and yet there is still the posssible possiblity of duping and dare I say...NOLing! Not good....so not good. Hmmm.... .

  • ashuncc2

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 12:43 pm PT

    I hope they get all the bugs fixed prior to the 360 release.

  • ramses01

    Posted Sep 5, 2006 12:39 pm PT

    Rumors are that the 360 version will not have monthly fees, while the others do. Kinda makes the live gold subscription look a little better doesn't it!

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