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| | The Ragol.co.uk Hunters Gazette |
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Bigger, Better, Stronger! |
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In the last edition of the Ragol.co.uk Hunters Gazette, i talked about just one possible outcome of how current Phantasy Star Online games would end up within a year or two. But that was just one possibility...
In this edition i rant about another way of looking at how the tide could turn for Phantasy Star Online after the release of a few other titles. |
Revolution on Revolution? |
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Nintendo made a big announcement concerning their next home console, currently known as Nintendo Revolution, recently at the Games Developers Conference. Not only will their console pack wireless online gaming, straight from the box (I.e. without the need for an accessory to get you online, unlike the Gamecube where you need a Adapter), but it will also be backwards compatable - In other words, it'll play all the existing Nintendo Gamecube titles. However, does this mean the two will be able to mix? Will you be able to play Nintendo Gamecube games online using this wireless gaming system on Revolution? For many Gamecube owners, its not a worry, as they either don't play PSO, or don't play it online, but what about us loyalists? 
Of course, it's most likely that the next generation consoles will be all broadband only online play - I don't see Nintendo making 2 kinds of consoles and keeping 2 systems running for Dial-up users, as it will obviously affect online gaming dramatically with more action paced titles such as Racing games. With that in mind, it reduces the amount of Gamecube online players by about half already. Well, for this edition, lets assume that it will... Phantasy Star Online Universe |
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Phantasy Star Online was the first online console game of all time making its debut on the SEGA Dreamcast console, so with them re-releasing the game with (Slight) improvements on the Nintendo Gamecube system, it obviously means they want to keep the series alive, especially after its gained such a cult of fans... such as us! ;) However, when it was announce that Phantasy Star Universe will be released only for PlayStation2 and PC, instead of Nintendo Gamecube where its main bulk of fans are, its clear SEGA want to start up a seperate series, especially since PSO: Blue Burst is becoming such a big hit in Japan, having more episodes released alongside it. So with 2 Phantasy Star series of games being produced, here's another outcome of how PSO may end up in a couple of years time: This game is the foundation of how it became such a big hit and still exists as great as it does today on the consoles and PC. So with the Nintendo Revolution able to play Nintendo Gamecube games, and the Gamecube servers still pretty active, they may continue to keep the Gamecube servers running, as Revolution players can continue the Gamecube fun online on the existing game with the existing discs. Maybe then sometime into the Revolutions lifespan, SEGA could very well announce further Nintendo Phantasy Star Online episode compilations, merging successful expansion packs (Episodes) from Blue Burst to work with the Gamecube server system and game saves, so Nintendo Gamecube players of Episodes I & II can continue using their characters in, say a copy of Episodes IV & V for Nintendo Revolution. Of course we only know about Episode IV, being the most recent episode in the PSO series to be released as an expansion pack in Blue Burst, so its not likely to see another Episode come our way in a couple of months time, but there is no doubt in my mind that they'll continue making further episodes for Blue Burst in the near future. With it being so popular in Japan, it can easily be applied to the Nintendo Revolution to continue Nintendo Gamecube PSO players online experience running! This way, the Phantasy Star Online is kept alive both on PC, and on console. Meanwhile... recently announced for the PlayStation2 and the PC in a whole new series (Seperate from PSO games, do not get mixed up, this is not PSO, Episode V!) was Phantasy Star Universe, a game to carry on the SEGA Megadrive Phantasy Star series. You might like to call this Phantasy Star V, although, as SEGA teased us with in their very first trailer, shwon at E3 last year, it does combine elements of PSO in the online mode. Just to make very clear again, this is not a PSO episode, its a PS episode! The game is only announced on PlayStation2, which is in some ways, quite mad you might agree, but in other ways fairly sensible, as Sonic Team have been building up to this game. They recently released/are releasing the Phantasy Star collection of games on the PS2 in America (To relive the old Phantasy Star games from the SEGA Megadrive) so this acts as a continuation. SEGA are also releasing this only on PlayStation2 console wise because its the most popular console internationally and can reach the biggest audience possible. In the end, SEGA are just like every other gaming company, trying to make as much from a game as possible, otherwise you're out. So reviving the Phantasy Star series for Phantasy Star Universe on the PS2 may very well mean Sonic Team intend to revive the series for a serious return, to mark maybe another Phantasy Star game for release later on into the PlayStation3's lifespan, obviously depending on how well Universe goes down on PlayStation2, which we'll find the answer to, beginning of 2006. Aside from the Nintendo Gamecube versions of PSO, and the upcoming PS2 version of PSU, the only other console player is the Xbox, and i suppose it depends on how PSO goes down to see whether or not the game will live to die another day on the next generation Microsoft console, as the main action is undoubtedly on the Gamecube version of PSO. Well, to sum up the adventures in this edition, here's what we COULD see in the next few years for PSO: - Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I, II, & III: C.A.R.D. Revolution Future Episode Compilations released on Nintendo Revolution to keep the PSO series alive and kicking on consoles
- Phantasy Star Universe Future Phantasy Star Games (Maybe with different subtitiles, maybe such as Galaxies? Suggestions? XD) on Playtation consoles
- Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst New Episode Expansions as occuring with Episode IV
Remember, this is not fact, its fiction, all theory! If you'd like to comment on this editions main article, then do it in our forums, in this particular Ragol.co.uk Forum Thread! Share your point of view with the world! Do you agree, dont you agree, DO post on our forums!  In this new Feature, we've sent our very own Chao down to eBay Track all the latest beats just for you! Here's what Phantasy Star Online merchandise you could be bidding into over on eBay around about now! Its the wierd and wonderful world of eBay!  Some neato items there, so if you're interested - click on the item! All prices were correct as of 21st April 2005 (Evening GMT)
Chao, for now! - Game Informer Magazine opens its own Episode III Quest (2004)
- More Quests for Episode III (2004)
- Episode II Challenge Mode 5 Loads onto Gamecube (2004)
- Blue Burst details unvieled (2004)
- Episode IV First Look! (2004)
- Take a Seat... to the Heart! (2003)
- Minhiro opens, in English! (2003)
- Name change on Xbox server (2003)
- Gotta Catch 'em All!!! Egg Rappies sighted!(2003)
 | | The Ragol.co.uk Hunters Gazette |
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Credits April 22nd 2005 Hunters Gazette Edition by: Lee-yoshi
Images: Lee-yoshi
© Ragol .co.uk |
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