The future of Phantasy Star Online is legitimate! Sonic Team is now taking more action to crack down on game abusers!

Sonic Team will be taking appropriate legal actions to those who do not stand by the Phantasy Star Online Terms & Conditions of online play. More specifically Sonic Team are following up numerous cases of lobby message spamming and game freezing (FSOD) that almost any player will have encountered while playing online no doubt!

While there are some who can play sensibly, there are others who continue to annoy many while experiencing online play, and to this reason SEGA regret the inconvenience that this is causing to the small legitimate majority who do respect the Terms & Conditions.

If you play any of the following games, please contact Sonic Team with any problematic users you have come across so this can be sorted out once and for all. SEGA are listening!

• Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II (Microsoft Xbox)
• Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II (Nintendo Gamecube)
• Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II Plus (Nintendo Gamecube)
• Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution (Nintendo Gamecube)

When reporting any abuse, please contact SEGA of America directly via. E-Mail at the address below with some of the following information:

1. Location (Ship and Block name)
2. Time of Offense (Using in-game (Beat) time aswell as date)
3. Username (Of offensive user and yours - Exactly as it appears on-screen)
4. Guild Card Numbers (A very useful extra to have for Sonic Team. Yours & Theirs)
5. Screenshot (Optional!)

Please contact SEGA of America by E-Mailing at least a few of the details above to this address: adminhelp@segaamerica.com

Your help will cut-down all abuse of online play, and will make the world of Phantasy Star Online a better place to hunt! Please do contact SEGA if you encounter any problems in the future aswell.

There will be server maintenance on the Nintendo Gamecube Phantasy Star Online servers during April 27th 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 this time where service continues as normal.

After this time, a new limited time Japanese quest will be available for Episode III players entitled 'ドリマガ'. This quest will be available between the dates of April 27th until May 13th 2004, and is only available to online players of Episode III. The quest is for exclusive play between 2 Human characters. Should this quest be completed, it is possible to gain the event card 'ドリマガ'. More screens and information in the Ragol.co.uk Forums.

Hehe at last we have changed the poll and the results are...

35.5% of you think its awsome and worth every penny, which is good news! 14.2% of you think its alright  or suppose it's ok. 31% like EP I and II more O_o but 19.2% of you think it's rubbish and want your money back!!!

The new poll in titled: Do you think PSO: BB will be a big hit?

Lets see your votes comming in!!!

Sega have posted new images on the official PSO: BB homepage with new images of monsters and a new level which will be playable. The stage is called the "Stern lux plateau" which basically looks like a big crater in the ground but once you see the second image then its a different story.

The next image is of one of one of the new enemies which will be in blue burst for you to mash up with your weapons! The rest of the image is on the Blue Burst homepage (Link above).

The client disk for PSO: BB will be available to the public in these ways:

• The may 21st sale of a certain magazine*
• Free download*
• June 3rd sale of package edition at 1,980 Yen (including tax 1,079 Yen)
• Undecided sale date at 1,200 Yen (including 1,260 Yen)

Rating Fee:

• 1,200 (including tax 1,260 Yen)/30 days
• 1,200 (including tax 1,050 Yen)/automatic operation continuation

* Free Download/Magazine supplement allows play up to level 20.

SEGA of Europe have added the upcoming sequel to Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II... Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution to their website.

By visiting www.sega-europe.com* the title appears on the 'Games' page with a clickable link in the list to another page of their website which goes over the game in more detail!

On that page you'll find a short review by SEGA themselves, aswell as some nice screenshots and a trailer/movie of the game for all to enjoy!

The release date set by SEGA of Europe according to that webpage incase anyone is interested is 'Q2 2004' (Summer). The latest date set by a trend of game shops and websites is the 9th of July 2004, but is unofficial, and subject to change. We continue to cross our fingers for a closer release date! At least now we know it's definately coming to U.K. shores. Hurrah!

*Flash is required to open the/access website. External Link.

The Xbox server named 51:Iolite has been changed to 51:Garnet

This concluded the 24 hour server shutdown

Thanks to starman for the info!

There will be yet MORE maintenance on April 22^nd as Sonic Team will be adding a new Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution quest entitled ‘Game Informer’. Maintenance will commence during the following times:

April 22^nd 2004 between 14:00 – 16:00 (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 this time where service continues as normal.

After this time, a new quest will appear entitled ‘Game Informer’. This quest is a Downloadable Quest and is available for a limited time only (May 6^th 2004). This quest is made exclusively for one human player, and is only accessible through online play of Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution. Nothing will change after this maintenance on Episodes I & II.

News from PlaySega.com

From June 9th 2004, all Phantasy Star Online, Episode I & II Players will no longer be able to play online when using the 50Hz T.V. Frequency Mode Option. This means that if you play online (In Europe) on the '01:EU/Fomalhaut' Server, you will be forced to play either offline, or by playing online in 60Hz Mode.

When you play Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II (European - PAL), the Gamecube will automatically turn itself onto 50Hz mode. If you already play online in this way without manually changing your game over to 60Hz mode, when it comes to playing online, you will only be able to choose and play on the lobby '01:EU/Fomalhaut'. This thereby means that after June 9th, all 50Hz T.V. Mode players will no longer to play online in this way.

To change your copy of the game over into 60Hz mode, follow these simple instructions...

• Insert your copy of 'Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II' into your Nintendo Gamecube and close down the lid.
• Turn on your Nintendo Gamecube console while holding down the 'B' Button on the Controller inserted into Socket 1 (If you play using a Nintendo Wavebird controller, make sure the Wavebird is turned on before turning on your console).
• Continue to hold down the B button until a Multi-Option Message box appears on-screen which asks:

"Would you like to Display in 60Hz Mode?"

• Select the 'Yes' Option by using the Analogue Stick and 'A' Button Respectively. Selecting the 'No' Option will continue loading the game in 50Hz Mode.
• After selecting the 'Yes' Option, the T.V. will have automatically set itself into 60Hz Mode. Now when you go online to play Episodes I & II you will be able to choose from all the 60Hz servers to play (EU, US, and JP).

For further Instructions on this, refer to your Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II Instruction Manual, or alternatively, contact SEGA Product Support by visiting www.playsega.com which should hold all the other necessary contact numbers which are not listed below:

SEGA Europe Ltd. Customer Call Centre:

• Belgie                0903 99 231 ( € 1,12/min) 
• Deutschland       0180 3000 410
• Eire                   1 890 925 555
• España              902 20 23 24
• France               0820 37 61 58 ( € 0,12/min)
• Italia                  +44 (0)141 272 1113
• Nederland           0903 99 231 ( € 0,68/min)
• Österreich          0900 4007342 ( € 1,23/min)
• Schweiz             0900 105 805 (2.50CHF/min)
• UK                     08456 090 090 (local rate)
  

Please Note: For you to be able to play in 60Hz Mode, your T.V. must be 60Hz compatible. Some Older Television sets may only work correctly in 50Hz. This announcement may also affect Xbox Live Players of 'Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II'.

It's been ten years since the mysterious explosion of the Central Dome, and a legendary hero named Nef has emerged with a brand new VR simulation. He needs you to test it and tutor two of his top pupils, Break and Orland, along the way, as well. Will you be able to help these two learn this magnificent technology and perhaps teach them greater lessons in the process?

The newly added quest, 'Blue Star Memories', is the quest that all Phantasy Star Online players must play. It tells of the true ending of Episode II, and the true beginning of Episode III.

I have earlier today made an article that tells of this quest in more detail. Find out about the characters, the quests, and the beginning of Episode III. Also read up about the secret Episode III quest...

Click Here to view the article...

Also made is a guide for those who are looking for help with the Quest, or just maybe wish to read more into it!

Click here to view to guide... ( Cheers to Goldie for putting it all together! Nice one ;-) )

Don't Delay, Go and Read...or Play...TODAY!!

Maintenance continues on the Gamecube Phantasy Star Online servers as Episode III gets a new map added!

Maintenance will be conducted on April 13th 2004 between the times of 14:00 and 17:00 (Japanese Time - GMT 9).

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 give 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 this time where service continues as normal. A new map is added after this time for all Episode III players. Nothing will be added to Episodes I & II. More on the map after the upgrade is complete!

In case you haven't already noticed, the new official website is now running. The site proudly announces that there will be many new elements on this version of pso such as game masters that will establish order in the communities, also a new team system along with server saving to preserve character data, and hopefully prevent cheats as well :) As usual only the same 12 character classes will be availible. (No new classes)

Also the new team system enables you to register with the server and be known by that team which will let you create mini communities. And once you have a team made, you'll have your own real time chat channel that runs independently upon what ship or game you are in.

Also a new character appears in the principal's room that introduces a new episode 2 storyline through the quest catogory known as, "The Principals Prefecture"

Note this game is only currently out in Japan, and a release date for North America and Europe has not yet been announced.

Thanks to Ivan for the heads up!

We have been updating lots of images in the item database recently so while you're on your travels about the database, if you find any dead images or links can you please send me a PM stating the name of the item which the link/image belongs to here.

Thanks for your time. Oh and by the way, we have updated the daily pic at last =P.

Sonic Team continues in their current run by announcing yet more maintenance to the Phantasy Star Online servers! During April 8th 2004 at approx. 14:00 - 17:00 (Japanese Time - GMT plus 9), all players of the following listed games should not attempt to connect to the servers to play the game online. All current online games will be disconnected, and no-one should reconnect until after this time (17:00).

This announcement affects all players of the Nintendo Gamecube versions of:

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

After this time, Episode III will have a new quest added:

'Preacher of Seashore' - Download Quest - Exclusively for 1 Human Player.

Also the amount of Jukebox music added to the Episode III lobbies will change. Nothing is being added for Episode I & II players.

[Updated - 8th April 2004 @ 21:40 BST - Lee_yoshi]

Maintenance is over. Added to the Episode III Music Jukebox was the following:

• VAMOS A CARNIVAL - Samba De Amigo
• CHANT THIS CHARM - Giant Egg
• Opening Theme - Eternal Arcadia

The Quest was also added! Enjoy Episode III Players!

Appearing fresh today on the Gamecube Phantasy Star Online servers were Easter decorations in all the lobbies for everyone to enjoy, along with some calm relaxing lobby music! AHH, massive easter eggs!!

I have uploaded some nice easter lobby pictures, and added them all to a single thread in the Ragol.co.uk forums. Click here to view that thread. These pictures are only of Episode I & II lobbies. Episode III does indeed have more, and also appear in the same thread. These were taken by forum member Ivan (Cheers!).

Get the full feel of playing Phantasy Star Online, Episode I & II, even if you can't play online, view the screenshots in the thread, or download the lobby music by clicking below!! Have a happy easter everyone!

Click Here for Lobby music [<700Kb - 1 Minute duration - .mp3 File] Offsite Link

There will be maintenance across the Gamecube servers on April 6th 2004 between 2pm & 5pm (Japanese Time). This will affect players of the Nintendo Gamecube versions of Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II, and Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution (Aswell as Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II Plus). During this time, no-one should attempt to play online as all users will be disconnected automatically, and not allowed back online until service is over.

Easter decorations are being uploaded to all the lobbies, and extra jukebox music is being added!

Phantasy Star Online, Episode I & II players will be happy to know that a quest is also being added for a limited time titled 'Memory of the Star', while Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution players will be happy to learn that the quest 'Future Expectation' is being added as a Downloadable quest.

Also incase you haven't noticed, the Ragol.co.uk forums have been updated with an easter twist for the holiday season!

Happy Easter Everyone, and Enjoy (Don't eat too much chocolate!).

The equivilent of Phantasy Star Online, Episodes I & II for PC's supporting Microsoft Windows Operating Systems in Japan has been formally titled, Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst.

This announcement appeared on the official Phantasy Star Online Japan website 2nd of April 2004. The website which will support the Windows version of Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst will appear with an online user guide, and technical support for the game, and can be located at: http://psobb.jp/ (English). More information will appear on that site on April the 5th 2004 at 7pm (Japanese time).