Pre-Open Beta Registration Guide. http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-pre-open-beta-registration-guide/
Some news about the Snow area that will be introduced in the release version, and also about the pre-open beta schedule and arks cash fees: http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-the-enemies-of-the-frozen-tundra/ http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-pre-open-beta-test-615-through-6162012/
For those that might be interested in this game, the Pre-Open Beta is going to be tomorrow, June 15, and after tomorrow, June 16. Since it's just a stress test, it won't last long and the servers will be online only during Japan's prime time. The schedule for different timezones: If the pre-open beta goes through without issues, the Open Beta should start sometime next week. Even though the tests are being held in Japanese servers for Japanese players, everyone can participate, even players from other countries. Like other Online RPGs, the servers (called ships in PSO2) are separate, and when you create a character in one ship, you can't use it in other ships. Alot of english speaking communities are planning on playing in the server "Ship 02". Each ship is also separated in blocks, unlike ships, players can switch between blocks freely. English communities are planning on playing in Block 20, and when it gets full, they recommend playing in Block 21, 22, and so on. Oh, an important note, players can only have 1 character during the Open Beta. For those interested in trying this game during the Pre-Open Beta or the Open Beta, here's a registration guide: http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-pre-open-beta-registration-guide/ Those who register for the Pre-Open Beta are automatically registered for the Open Beta. Also, while characters from the Pre-Open Beta will be wiped when the test ends, characters from the Open Beta will be transfered to the release version. Here you can download the client: http://pso2.jp/players/download/ And here is a guide to the launcher options: http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-pre-open-beta-site-and-download-begins/
The pre-open beta went well, it reached a peak of 41500 simultaneous connections with close to no lag. Taking into consideration I'm an European player connecting to Japanese servers in an online action RPG, it's quite impressive how little lag there was during the pre-open beta (except for a few lag spikes). Here is a video I recorded during the pre-open beta, the video is from the pre-open beta exclusive desert quest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kk49HjwRjg The desert area will be available in the open beta and release versions, but they won't be available so early on in the game. About the open beta, it's going to start in about 4 hours, SEGA hasn't announced yet when the open beta will end, but if the open beta goes well, they plan to launch the game soon after the open beta ends. Also, open beta characters will be transfered to the release version, the open beta and release versions will use the same client as the pre-open beta, and those who registered for any of the previous tests are automatically registered for the open beta. Check my previous post for details on how to register or where to download the client. Here's also a guide for the early part of the game, including the login process, the tutorial, and some of the more important menus: http://bumped.org/psublog/pre-open-beta-starter-guide-for-phantasy-star-online-2/ Note that the majority of english players are planning on playing in the Ship 02 server, in the block 20. If block 20 gets full, there will be english players in blocks 21, 22, and so on. Also, it's only possible to create 1 character, more character slots have to be purchased. More than 1 character is not really needed though, since it's possible to switch between any of the available classes in-game for free.
The Open Beta has begun, so here's a bunch of important guides from bumped.org. Registration guide: http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-pre-open-beta-registration-guide/ Client download and launcher: http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-pre-open-beta-site-and-download-begins/ Login, tutorial and important menus: http://bumped.org/psublog/pre-open-beta-starter-guide-for-phantasy-star-online-2/ In-game options: http://bumped.org/psublog/pso2-options-guide/ Buying, selling, equipping and grinding: http://bumped.org/psublog/pso2-basics-buying-selling-equipping-grinding/ Mags and matterboards: http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-open-beta-begins-and-mini-guide/
Open Beta ends today, and the game will be released on Japan wednesday July 4th. http://bumped.org/psublog/phantasy-star-online-2-launches-july-4th/ Also a trailer that was shown during the fan briefing, but now in better quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt2dQG1aZ_Q
Japanese version launch trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEYXd1MRTgw English version announced for 2013: http://blogs.sega.com/2012/07/09/phantasy-star-online-2-is-coming-west/ Japanese version first update trailer (that giant battleship/giant mech boss at 1:47, wow...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZsvDPEEY4 The update is being released on July 18.
Trailer for the upcoming August updates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsWyHQY1dmA A bunch of videos I've recorded during my time with the game, they're videos from quests of the first area of the game in the Normal mode, the Forest area. Subdue Za Oodan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ced0JA__ctI Subdue Fongalf - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r714pFrlcA Dagan Extermination: Forest - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejaxlvab9qk Nab Rappy Capture - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOQubyoHnNw Forest Exploration - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLRkyiz321o
September 12th update, which includes new classes and weapons. Trailer for the update: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4CcqHVrpOU Dem matrix styled twin machine guns.