Phantasy Star Online 2 alpha testing starts this summer (in Japan)

So SEGA had their Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity event this weekend, where they said they where going to reveal some Phantasy Star Online 2 news. The news is that alpha testing will start this summer. How do you get in?

You need to get a special code, the code can be obtained in two ways. The first print of Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity will have codes inside, it will have a yellow sticker on the cover stating it has the code. The other way is playing Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst (which is still active in Japan), SEGA has not given details on what you will have to do to get them.

So you get the code and you’re in, right? Nope, the code just lets you get into a drawing for the beta. Damn, SEGA are really making it hard. No word on how we in the West will be able to play or if it’s being published here…

[Source: AndriaSang]

Top 10 ways to improve the next Phantasy Star Online game

I love Phantasy Star Online, while Phantasy Star Universe was still a good game, it suffered from some bad decisions in gameplay and the way it was handled. It did however do a good job of stepping the gameplay up a notch.

If SEGA is planning a new HD Phantasy Star Online franchise, they need to make it a huge leap forward, not just baby steps. Here’s how we’d do it!

Phantasy Star Universe getting updated this summer


Phantasy Star Universe servers are still up on the Xbox 360 and SEGA is planning to release version 1.00 patch. This patch has already been released in Japan, but we have to wait till the summer. The update is coming on June 21st.

Few things, Phantasy Star Universe (without the expansion) won’t longer have access to play online. Meaning you have to buy the expansion, Ambition of the Illuminus. Pretty lame.

The update will also bring new weapons, armor units, new outfits, new character customization options,  important balance changes, upgraded user interface,  and upgrades to MyRoom feature

[Source: SEGA]