GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Phantasy Star Online 2 will be free-to-play

Sequel to Sega MMO game also set for PS Vita, iOS, and Android; slated for 2012 and 2013.

150 Comments

The last time gamers heard news about Phantasy Star Online 2 was back at the Tokyo Game Show 2011. Sega recently announced that the sequel to Phantasy Star Online will adopt a free-to-play business model.

Sega's MMO game will also be available in portable smartphone form later in 2012.
Sega's MMO game will also be available in portable smartphone form later in 2012.

According to Famitsu, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game will be using an item transaction system, so players will need to pay money for items or certain benefits to speed up level grinding. In addition, Sega announced that the game will be out on iOS and Android. Previously, the game was confirmed for the PC and the PS Vita platform, with the latter being announced early this month.

Series producer Sakai Satoshi mentioned that both the PC and PS Vita versions would be played on the same server, meaning that players can use the same character from one platform onto the other. The smartphone versions will offer a simpler character creation option, a modified control scheme, and social game elements. In terms of connectivity, the smartphone versions will share data with the PC and PS Vita versions of the game.

According to Satoshi, the Vita version is just 10 percent complete, and Sega plans to have the game running at the PC version's highest visual resolution and specs. Sega also announced that the PC's second alpha test for the game was recently completed and reached the scale of 50,000 online users. The closed beta test will be scheduled for late April with a scale of 100,000 players.

While the PC version is slated for this early summer in Japan, Vita owners will have to wait until 2013 for their version to begin service. The smartphone versions will be out in winter 2012. There is currently no word on any release date outside of Japan at this point.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 150 comments about this story
150 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for XxWolfie16xX
XxWolfie16xX

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

JS I THINK ITS KIND OF STUPID HOW THEY ARE HAVING THE GAME ON A PHONE YET THEY CANT HAVE IT ON A CONSOLE they had psu on xbox and im pretty sure they made a lot of money doing it, so why not try it on xbox360/ps3 again???

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MisterWatson
MisterWatson

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I think Sega should've dropped the iOS and android versions and developed an OSX, PS3/Xbox instead.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for anon_fire
anon_fire

63

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >>

Wrong, they are keeping it the way it is right now.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MisterWatson
MisterWatson

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I hope they will have it for PS3 or OSX!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jsmoothie56
jsmoothie56

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I hope this game will get on the Xbox 360 soon and DON'T have to PAY 10$ a Month just to get on this game but I wouldn't mind paying for extra add-ons such as different levels or diff places for better weapons and equipment.. but dam sure not paying 10$ every dam month for this game when we are already paying for the game and Xbox Live.. -_-

Upvote • 
Avatar image for jsmoothie56
jsmoothie56

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I hope this game will get on the Xbox 360 soon and DON'T have to PAY 10$ a Month just to get on this game but I wouldn't mind paying for extra add-ons such as different levels or places for better weapons and stuff.. but dam sure not paying 10$ every dam month for this game when we are already paying for the game and Xbox Live..

Upvote • 
Avatar image for anon_fire
anon_fire

63

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >>

Sorry, but PSO2 will not be on XBOX 360.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Master_Vexov
Master_Vexov

36

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

F2P, but you will basicly be suffering unless you pay $ for items? I rather buy the game, and then pay my 10$ monthly then get robbed for more. If its what i think it is, you RENT items. Do you really want pay to rent game items?. This is the game breaker for me, I won't invest my time in a game that hits me up for $ for every piece of gear so i can be well geared.. and no I don't wanna farm for days for enough points(if its allowed) to own a piece of gear. They make the stuff you start off with probably insanely weak, compared to the things you can pay 5$ for a week to trash with(per piece)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for AznEvan
AznEvan

102

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

Aww man...That means that I'll have to wait until 2014 if it were to be released on the Vita in North America!! :'(

Upvote • 
Avatar image for HonorOfGod
HonorOfGod

1410

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Will be playing on my vita. See you guys in 2013.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Leir_Bag
Leir_Bag

314

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I fully support dedicated handhelds, but if the iOS port is any good, I'll pick that one up.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for kargion
kargion

508

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Weird vita version is last

Upvote • 
Avatar image for anon_fire
anon_fire

63

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@ColdScorpion: Everything will be server-side from here on out.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ColdScorpion
ColdScorpion

506

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

I'd rather have the Vita's version on its own server. It wasnt a good idea when they had the PS2/PC version of Phantasy Star Universe on the same server. It really ruined the experience due to hacks, dupes, and theiving.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for m4a5
m4a5

3154

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

@DeViLzzz And yet it still will be free. If you actually like the game, you will put money into it at your own pace and support the devs...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DeViLzzz
DeViLzzz

2144

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

free to play my *** limited character creation and limited slots for stuff in your bags makes free to play more like annoying to play

Upvote • 
Avatar image for highwind017
highwind017

439

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I enjoyed the hell out of the demo for Universe many years ago when i first joined XBL. I will be on this in a heartbeat.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for blackman232
blackman232

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

SEGA u BROKE my gaming heart years ago, but this RIGHT HERE makes up for it times a million !!!!!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DeathwachMarine
DeathwachMarine

222

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

cant wait to get my hands on the vita version! too bad it wont be fore a loooong while...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Evenios
Evenios

1615

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Go Yuki-san!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Setzera
Setzera

127

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

If they have the option for english in-game text by summer 2012, I won't even wait until it comes out here, I'll play on the JP server!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for anticusho1984
anticusho1984

317

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I hope they release it out of japan, I played the phantasy star on genesis and dreamcast, of course later releases so this is a must for me, or at least if I can get import for the vita I'm happy

Upvote • 
Avatar image for residude
residude

452

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

shall be getting this on Vita, look forward to being able to play with you PC guys online!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for WolfGrey
WolfGrey

3799

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@DIGN I grew up a pc gamer mate. Either way in the way mega stated it, he was just basically saying specs.So what i said stands.Also a few ps3 exclusives easily back it up. Anyway im getting the pc version of this so it doesn't matter lol

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DIGN
DIGN

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

@WolfGrey Seems like your a consolefaq. It's PC>PS3=Xbox 360>Vita The PS3 has better specs, but the devs don't even use it to it's limits, they don't even use it at all. It's basically an Xbox 360 with a Blu-ray drive. Do your research and try and do stuff first hand before you go PS3 beats 360 fanboy, I'm a PC gamer so I could careless, but I hate these dumb consolewars arguments.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for WolfGrey
WolfGrey

3799

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@megakick You do realize that the ps3 is superior specs wise to the 360 right? So its PC>PS3>360>Vita.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for WolfGrey
WolfGrey

3799

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@shadowhunter0 Nope you lose sir.You don't have a clue.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for FallenOneX
FallenOneX

2639

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

For all of you saying that the Vita and the PC versions will look exactly the same..... If I was a PC gamer I'd be pissed off right now. Then, after a drink or two, I'd calm down and think about how many times I've heard that before, and realize someone else is also drinking something, only it's the kool-aid in their cup.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for West_Side_LOgic
West_Side_LOgic

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Would be nice if sega developed a mobile version for Windows Phone 7, looking forward to this game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for atopp399
atopp399

2305

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Megavideogamer That's what is funny about the 3G Vita. I don't think you can actually use it to play games like that. I am going to guess you need to be on WiFi for it to work. I suppose the developers of the game may be allowed to have the game function over 3G but I am not entirely sure. I know there is that download limit over 3G though and the lag might be pretty bad so I am not sure how well it would work.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for polterdice
polterdice

76

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Burned so many hours playing PSO on the DC, wouldn't mind hopping into that world again.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Megavideogamer
Megavideogamer

6554

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 0

The PSvita version I will be interested to play. If just to see if an MMO game can thrive on a handheld system. I guess this will be on 3G PSvita systems only?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for megakick
megakick

1931

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy are pretty similar Sega went in a different direction and it paid off. Sega is doing far better then Square Enix, Square Enix is going down hill.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for migg2
migg2

49

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

I'd give my left nut for Phantasy Star V... these PSO games are an empty shell of what the Phantasy Star Series used to be. I too remember the first time I plunked down $69.99 at Toys R Us in '88 or '89 (??) for an experience I was totally unprepared for. It's one of my fondest video gaming memories! Question - who would be interested in a fan-funded proposal to Sega, much the same way Double-fine did for their latest project? If interested, email chis at aceshighlv dot com!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for blackace
blackace

23576

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

I'll wait for the PSVita version. Buy 2013 the price will have dropped and then I can get some cheap games on Ebay. $50 for a PSVita game is too much. Should have been $40. Oh well, a year from now, most of the games will be under $30 on Ebay anyways.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 3KindgomsRandy
3KindgomsRandy

15488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

*sigh* I really wish Sega would deliver a proper flagship Phantasy Star title instead of these online games. I know they never will again, but that doesn't stop me from wishing.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Albaficas
Albaficas

1051

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

good choice since GW2 and Tera are here It still has no chance tho..it might do big in japan thats it

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DiscGuru101
DiscGuru101

2552

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 15

User Lists: 0

I'm interested.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for JmanSeo
JmanSeo

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@megakick I will agree that the graphics aren't the most amazing thing on a PC, but does it really matter that much? I guess to someone like you who is not a hardcore PSO fan I can understand. But to us hardcore PSO fans the graphics are decent, and the art design is pretty amazing and true to the original PSO World without alienating the original art style, well to me anyway. I'm a person that grades art style more than graphical realism. I'm going to get flamed for this but I find the art style of Boarderlands 1/2 better and much more appealing than realistic graphics like Battlefield 3 / Modern Warfare 3. I guess expect super high frame rates and older PC's able to run the game well while there is the much appreciated chaos that is going to occur in the game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for JmanSeo
JmanSeo

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@shadowhunter0 Oh I agree with you, paying for overpowered items does kill the game and I'll be on the same boat as you and not buy any weapons that would make me more powerful. If anything I'll buy appearance items. I'm pretty sure there will be exclusive outfits or mag designs that you'll have to buy that wont effect gameplay, which I'll support that since I'll more likely love the game and I want to support it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for megakick
megakick

1931

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

PSP Vita has no power compared to a computer with a good set up. PC > Xbox 360 > PS3 > PSP Vita PSP Vita will exhaust itself b4 a PC will even begin to try.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for mrboone01
mrboone01

378

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@shadowhunter0 In other words, the highest PC settings will still be crap so the Vita can run it. He's saying the PC settings will be gimp as hell. The Vita can NOT run a game with PC quality graphics, no more than the PS3 can.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for shadowhunter0
shadowhunter0

2120

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@megakick it seems you are the one not understanding the power of the vita and what he is saying the vita will have the same graphics has the pc version set on the highest possible graphics setting so anther words both the pc and vita version awesome graphics

Upvote • 
Avatar image for shadowhunter0
shadowhunter0

2120

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@JmanSeo I didn't say that I just said if the game is set where players use real money to give them advantage then the game is pay to win those games I would never play pvp in them but I would still play pve but I wont group with anyone that use real money because it would make it boring because it would be to easy

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Evenios
Evenios

1615

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

thats awesome if the PC and PS vita version will be on the same server. that would make it one of the first MMOs ever to have moble play and PC play.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for megakick
megakick

1931

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@JmanSeo so crappy pc graphics? What dont u understand?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for JmanSeo
JmanSeo

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@megakick Uh no, they confirmed that the PSVita version will have the same graphics as PC version if it was set on the highest possible graphics settings.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for JmanSeo
JmanSeo

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@vader501st From what I read on IGN, the iOS/Android version is going to be single player campaign I think....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for JmanSeo
JmanSeo

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@shadowhunter0 So you would rather pay to play? I would still pay to play PSO2, but when I see free to play, I'm not complaining, considering SEGA's terrible customer service with PSO Blueburst when you had to PAY $10 USD a month. Hell SCHTHACKS' servers are better moderated than when SEGA owned them, and you don't have to pay a penny to play on SCHTHACKS' servers. I say, even with the possibility of "pay to win" feature they might release, I'm still not complaining, considering the game is not based around pvp, hell this may even help you because you might get some overpowered players in your game helping you out, possibly even passing rare loot to you if it drops since they'll have better.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for megakick
megakick

1931

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

So PC version will have crappy graphics like vita :/

Upvote •