The BETA Testing for Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst - Episode IV has finished.

Its testing period, which started on December 3rd, ended today (27th December) where Sonic Team appreciated and thanked everyone for their help in testing the game online. Sonic Team will be adding more information to the official Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst website regarding Episode IV on December 29th! ^_^

• Blue Burst Website (Japanese)
• Blue Burst Website (English Translation)

It's the 24th of December,
Surely a date to remember,

What you do with your day is upto you,
Maybe play some Phantasy Star, but FO, RA, or HU?

Tis the season though, so maybe some beer...
Either way, have a Happy New Year!

As our Advent Calendar is now complete,
We hope you enjoyed all 24 downloads as a treat.

Now Christmas is under 24 hours away,
Have a good one, from all at Ragol.co.uk!

The New Year Sales are starting early this year, even so before christmas, so here's a few quick tips on where to find the best Phantasy Star Online bargains!

At GAME you'll be able to pick up a copy of Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution for just £19.98 (In-Stores or Online), but as an inside tip, by visiting and visiting only a GAME store, you'll be able to pick up Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II for Xbox for under a quid at only 98p!!!! BARGAIN OR WHAT?!?! Nip down there A.S.A.P!

Other stores are starting up their sales early too, so why not have a browse around, and if you see quite a bargain, why not let everyone know about it!

Happy Shopping - Beat the Crowds!

Maybe not Phantasy Star Online news, but surely something which may one day affect the way we play online:

In a move thats sure to shock millions, Chunsoft announce Homeland. A game that takes online gaming to the stage of innovation!

Homeland is a new Role Playing Game announced exclusively for Nintendo Gamecube, with a release pencilled in for Spring 2005 in Japan. Basically its an adventure game that means puzzle solving, exploring, and defeating levels worth of bad guys with a trusty HP bar all the way! Though aswell as Single Player play, it also has a Network play option, so long as they own a Nintendo Gamecube Broadband Adapter.

Linking it up to the world wide web, your Nintendo Gamecube console gets transferred into a Server of its own, allowing upto 35 other people to play together on your console, with your console hosting all of their play. Because of this you can either play with them, or watch over everyones games thats currently being played on your Server/Nintendo Gamecube in 'God Mode'.

Whether your interested in the game or not, you can't deny your interest in the way the online aspect works. With your Nintendo Gamecube playing as a Server, it means online play is 100% FREE! Is this maybe the future for online gaming?

Another question that could be asked is 'Will this game be released in Europe?'. My personal answer would be 'HAHAHA Thats Very Funny! Even if it comes to the United States, i will eat my hat, of which i will also have to purchase!".

Once again Homeland is to be released in Japan for Spring 2005, being developed by Chunsoft. For all the Information, including Movies, and Screenshots, check out the official website (English).

Its the 18th of December, and as another treat from our very special Ragol.co.uk Advent Calendar, we're bringing a special Christmas edition of the Ragol.co.uk Hunters Gazette to your screens!

 Hunters Gazette - Christmas 2004

Click Here to go to the Hunters Gazette!

Read up on Christmas with the Hunters Gazette! Also why not to continue enjoying our festive Advent Calendar with many more great pressies everyday until christmas! Click Here to go to the Advent Calendar!

Episode IV has been revealed to the world! New In-Game Screenshots, New Monsters, New Storyline, Same Characters (Thats you!). Sonic Team have revealed the release date for the Episode IV Expansion Pack to Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst in Japan. Something to look forward to no doubt for all fans of the series... even if you don't live in the land of the rising sun :(

3rd February 2005 is the day! The day millions rush out to see Sonic Teams episode in the waiting. Fans have been begging and pleading for so long now, and SEGA have produced the goods ^_^

For all the info about Episode IV, you'll need to enter the Ragol.co.uk Article below, complete with brand new in-game footage too!

Click here to go to the Article:

Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst - Episode IV Lowdown

Also while on the subject of Blue Burst, Sonic Team also announced the recent update for the Nintendo Gamecube versions of Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II will be available to Blue Burst hunters aswell, as of right now! The updates i'm refering to are the new difficulty levels in the Xmas quest 'Pioneer Christmas' and the new Gallon Shop Trading Service!

Things are definately looking up for Blue Burster's everywhere. While recently releasing the game also in China, SEGA have yet to announce a date for us in Europe or America :(

Hello everyone!

As you may have noticed, a new poll has been up for a few days now, asking if you would like another league after the current Episode 3 one. It seems everyone would like one, but most of you so far would prefer it to be in Episodes 1&2. I can only say, wait and see what the new year brings *wink wink*.

As for the previous poll, titled "What do you think of having another tournament?", here are its results:

There will be server maintenance on the Nintendo Gamecube Phantasy Star Online servers during December 14th 2004 between the times of 14:00 & 17:00 (Japanese Time).

During this time please do not attempt to connect to the servers as if maintenance is happening on your corresponding servers at that time then you will be automatically disconnected after connecting. If you happen to be playing during these times please disconnect otherwise at the time when maintenance starts you will be disconnected from your game no matter what! You are given 10 minutes warning via. constant on-screen messages counting down until the time the upgrades start. This affects all players of the following Nintendo Gamecube games:

• Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II
• Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II Plus
• Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution

Please reconnect after these times where service continues as normal. Being added are MORE Christmas festivities!

Episodes I & II will see a new shop open for service from December 14th. It is of course the ガロンズ shop (Japanese Title)!

Here you can not only buy items, you can trade your current unused crap for shiny new items! Got any unwanted presents for christmas? No problem, just trade them in with Gallon. To enter the shop, select 'Shop' from the Hunters Guild, and select the quest. It can be entered with between 1 - 4 human characters!

Also being updated is the christmas quest 'Pioneer Christmas'. Test your memory further now by challenging the St. Rappies to level 4!!!! Sonic Team however request that you do not cheat... "Put That paper Away!".

Also coming your way are Episode III Updates! Being increased are each and everyones personal chances of gaining the oh so rare VIP Card. Gain it and take the opportunity to visit the Auction Room for very cool stuff indeed!

Also being added is the very cool (and Rare) Chao Card! Pass on the good news with some christmas cheer.

These Episode III Festivites entitled 'Christmas of the Morgue' are available from December 14th 2004 until Janurary 11th 2005 for all players to enjoy. (*Auction events continue afterwards also*).

Also dont forget the Ragol.co.uk Advent Calendar is still up and running each and everyday with new items up for grabs right up until December 24th!

Maybe not Phantasy Star Online related, but easily deserves a mention. The date is the 9th of December, and that can only mean its the day Ragol.co.uk's main man gets down and gets funky with it (While he still can :p)...

Happy Birthday Sol!

So far the 1st ever Ragol.co.uk Episode III Battle League has been a fair success, but a few dissappearing players have meant that the League has slowed right down. Can the following players please take the necessary action required to make sure they stay in the league:

• azurevipa (BLAZE)
• VashYsk (Cory)
• Wand 75 (Sword 75)
• (Keban)

The above players will shortly recieve an E-Mail (Or Otherwise) of which a reply is required before Midnight Monday latest. If no reply is actioned by that time then your account will be withdrawn from the Episode III League, and will be replaced accordingly. For all the information, please view this Ragol.co.uk Forum Post.

Ragol.co.uk Episode III Battle League Standings Article

Cheers, and apologies for any inconvenience caused during this time.

Lee-yoshi

...FaLaLaLaLa, LaLaLaLa. But enough of my singing, christmas is apporaching us all fast, and keeping in theme once again and as always with Phantasy Star Online, Ragol.co.uk also brings you festive cheer as we present to you, the Ragol.co.uk Advent Calendar!

24 Days with something new and special for all our website viewers to enjoy! Whats behind door number 1? well you'll have to find out won't you, and then dont forget to check back again tommorrow... and then the day after... special downloads and christmas cheer is guaranteed for all! You can find the advent calendar in our 'Articles' page, or by clicking below:

Click Here to go to...

the Ragol.co.uk Advent Calendar

Merry Christmas!