Phantasy Star Online is one of the more famous MMORPGs in the western demographics and beloved by Japanese people as well. The latest sequel of the series, Phantasy Star Online 2 has already been released in the XBox One last month in beta ofcourse. But with the few fixes and polishing in the beta testing, it appears that they are ready to release the game in the PC as well. Let's talk about it!
"Late May" is the target date for PSO2 in the PC release. People have been waiting for this game since it has a lot of things going on, check our previous article about it here: https://pinoygamer.ph/threads/phantasy-star-online-2-beta-starts-at-march-17-pc-beta-later.8228/ . But it comes with a con that might not be liked by others. It is not available on Steam...
Yeah, I know it is not very appealing to see that the game is not available on Steam, I first thought of it as well because Steam is one of the most popular virtual game stores out there with a lot of features that might prove useful in a game such as this. But they are not planning to release it there. Maybe soon? I don't know. But let's talk about what we know..
Instead of Steam, PSO2 will be releasing in Microsoft Store. Yup, Microsoft's own platform for apps and games. Well, it makes some sense as they might have struck a deal since PSO2 also released in XB1 and not in other consoles, now it is on PC. Since XB1 and PC is owned by Microsoft, it is no surprise that it will be released in the MS Store.
There's another thing that we know, that this game will be Free-to-Play, yep. That will help drive players' curiosity to try the game for themselves. There's also the fact that you can crossplay between XBox One and PC once the game releases in the Microsoft Store, so that means if you can play with peers if you are in the XB1 with them on the PC or vice versa, making the player base see each other despite in different platforms.
To end this off, here's what Sega, the developer of the game, plans to do when the game is finally released:
Conclusion
Despite it's exclusion of Steam in the stores that it releases, it still has a great potential to be a game that you can sink your teeth in. If both Western and the Japanese audience like your game, then you are definitely doing something great in your game to have that love from the player base. I am particularly excited to check and see how it goes. How about you? Will you be playing the game? Tell us in the comment belows!
"Late May" is the target date for PSO2 in the PC release. People have been waiting for this game since it has a lot of things going on, check our previous article about it here: https://pinoygamer.ph/threads/phantasy-star-online-2-beta-starts-at-march-17-pc-beta-later.8228/ . But it comes with a con that might not be liked by others. It is not available on Steam...
Yeah, I know it is not very appealing to see that the game is not available on Steam, I first thought of it as well because Steam is one of the most popular virtual game stores out there with a lot of features that might prove useful in a game such as this. But they are not planning to release it there. Maybe soon? I don't know. But let's talk about what we know..
Instead of Steam, PSO2 will be releasing in Microsoft Store. Yup, Microsoft's own platform for apps and games. Well, it makes some sense as they might have struck a deal since PSO2 also released in XB1 and not in other consoles, now it is on PC. Since XB1 and PC is owned by Microsoft, it is no surprise that it will be released in the MS Store.
There's another thing that we know, that this game will be Free-to-Play, yep. That will help drive players' curiosity to try the game for themselves. There's also the fact that you can crossplay between XBox One and PC once the game releases in the Microsoft Store, so that means if you can play with peers if you are in the XB1 with them on the PC or vice versa, making the player base see each other despite in different platforms.
To end this off, here's what Sega, the developer of the game, plans to do when the game is finally released:
- Every day between April 15th-23rd, ARKS Operatives will receive a special log-in bonus when they report for duty! The Half Scape Doll is able to sacrifice itself to revive players automatically if they become incapacitated on the battlefield – a real boost when fighting the Falspawn.
- ARKS who join an Alliance with at least four members before April 28th will receive a SG20 Ticket (x1). And members of Alliances that have earned at least 5,000 Alliance Points before April 28th will receive the collectable emote #269: Impromptu Tea Party!
- Two new Urgent Quests: "The Cunning Black Winged Vanguard" & "The False Champion: Luther the Fallen" begin this week.
- PSO2 Diva, Quna, returns for live concerts on Saturdays and Sundays!
- The Cherry Blossom season is coming to Phantasy Star Online 2 with a new look to the renowned Franca's Café! Certain ARKS Ship lobbies will also change their appearances periodically.
- PSO2 is one of the first games to be included in Microsoft's new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks program! All PSO2 players with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will receive extra special goodies after their first log in, including an Xbox jacket and Xbox Controller accessory for their character to show off in-game. Additional Perks will be made available every month, such as bonus Half Scape Dolls and more.
- The ever-expanding catalog of outfits and accessories to collect and mix-and-match continues to grow with the introduction of the Heroic Wanderer AC Scratch Ticket.
Conclusion
Despite it's exclusion of Steam in the stores that it releases, it still has a great potential to be a game that you can sink your teeth in. If both Western and the Japanese audience like your game, then you are definitely doing something great in your game to have that love from the player base. I am particularly excited to check and see how it goes. How about you? Will you be playing the game? Tell us in the comment belows!
