Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis will coexist with Phantasy Star Online 2, first details
Sega has shared further details (English, Japanese) on the newly announced Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis, confirming that it will co-exist with Phantasy Star Online 2 when it launches as a free-to-play title in 2021.
Get the details below.
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation for every single player who has taken up arms with ARKS in Phantasy Star Online 2. We have an exciting announcement concerning the future of Phantasy Star Online 2 for all players, including active ARKS operatives and those who are currently on hiatus.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis was announced during the broadcast of Microsoft’s Online Conference, the Xbox Games Showcase, on Thursday, July 23, 2020. This massive update will be released instead of a new episode, and is planned to launch after Episode 6.
This update may come as a surprise to those of you who are still playing Episode 3. In Japan, Phantasy Star Online 2 recently celebrated its 8th anniversary and is gearing up for the end of Episode 6. Because the game system and graphics engine were created eight years ago, they may seem unrefined to modern players, especially to those of you whose adventures just began with the North American version. This is why the development team is preparing a massive update instead of a new episode—to give Phantasy Star Online 2 the renewal it deserves. We are proud to present this dramatic evolution to you as Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis.
This massive overhaul will be released in 2021, the year of Phantasy Star Online‘s 20th anniversary. We sincerely hope that all you ARKS operatives will continue to enjoy the Phantasy Star Online 2 universe for years to come.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis already has a teaser site, and you can find a promotional video for it there. Click here to visit the teaser site and check it out!
Because the promotional video on the teaser website may not make it entirely clear how Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is related to Phantasy Star Online 2 and how it differs, we have created a follow-up video and an announcement compiling what we can reveal at this point in time. For starters, please watch the follow-up video.
■ 2021 will mark Phantasy Star Online 2‘s largest update ever!
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online, we will be aiming for even greater heights and reshaping the story, game system, graphics engine, and character creation system. Phantasy Star Online 2 will be reborn as an open-field online RPG, with a renewed battle system and game system to match!
■ The twin universes of Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis and Phantasy Star Online 2 exist side by side! Both are playable!
You can continue to enjoy the original Phantasy Star Online 2 even after Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis has been released. Accounts that have been playing Phantasy Star Online 2 will be able to hop between Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis and Phantasy Star Online 2. However, because the game system is vastly different, we would like to explain what exactly is changing with Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis below.
■ Create even more gorgeous characters with the new and improved graphics engine!
With the new graphics engine comes enhanced character models. In addition to the features present in the current character creation system, you’ll now have even more detailed options, like changing the luster of your character’s skin. Characters will also be able to move their fingers now! Furthermore, you’ll be able to wear more accessories—as well as change their locations—creating even more customized characters. Because Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis‘s character creation system is compatible with that of Phantasy Star Online 2, players are free to decide which one they want to use.
Finally, Phantasy Star Online 2‘s core graphics engine will also be overhauled, allowing you to use characters created with Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis‘s system within Phantasy Star Online 2 as well. Naturally, ALL character creation info from Phantasy Star Online 2 (including items linked to emotes and other previously registered data) will be compatible with Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis!
Note: The system requirements for the PC version will increase when Phantasy Star Online 2 is updated to meet Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis‘s standards.
■ Changes to the Game System
Because Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis and Phantasy Star Online 2 will have different game systems, some of their respective elements will be incompatible. The following points will summarize what we can announce at this time.
Note: While Phantasy Star Online 2‘s graphics engine will be overhauled, its game system will not change. You can play the exact same content that you have until now.
Items That Are Not Compatible With Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
The following items obtained in Phantasy Star Online 2 cannot be used in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis.
- Skill Rings
- Consumable Items used for battle, growth, and enhancement
- Boost Items
- Materials
- Furnishings
The above information is subject to change. We would greatly appreciate your understanding in this matter.
■ Regarding Player Data and Character Growth
Player Data
AC and SG can be used in both Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis and Phantasy Star Online 2.
Because Meseta, FUN, and other currencies greatly affect the balance of the game’s economy, these cannot be shared between Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis and Phantasy Star Online 2.
Character Growth
Character growth will not be shared between Phantasy Star Online 2 and Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis.
Examples of character growth elements that are not shared with Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis:
- Level
- EXP
- Class Skills
- Photon Arts
- Techniques
■ Regarding Weapons, Units, and Mags
Weapons, Units, and Mags obtained in Phantasy Star Online 2 can be used in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis as well. However, their functions, abilities, and appearances will change in accordance with Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis‘s game system.
Note: These changes will only occur when playing Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. They will retain their original functions, abilities, and appearances within Phantasy Star Online 2.
Weapons
While the fundamental weapon design will not change, their stats, augments, and potentials will. Additionally, some higher-rarity weapons may not be equippable until your character has reached a certain level. For weapons pertaining to classes that have not yet been added to Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis, they will be unusable until the relevant class has been released.
Units
In Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis, Units will become armor that is not visible. Even Units that have been obtained in Phantasy Star Online 2 will become invisible in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. Furthermore, similarly to weapons, their stats, augments, and potentials will change, and high-rarity Units may not be equippable until your character has reached a certain level.
Mags
Although Mags within Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis do not affect your stats or aid you in battle, Evolution Device data from Phantasy Star Online 2 will carry over.
Be sure to keep an eye out for more Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis news, for further information on how data will transfer between the two games!
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Release Information
■ Available Platforms
North America
Planned for release on Windows 10, Xbox One.
Note: If Phantasy Star Online 2 is added to new platforms, we plan to make Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis available on those platforms as well.
Japan
Planned for release on PC, PlayStation 4, Cloud (Switch, PC).
■ Price
Free-to-Play (Some premium items available.)
Note: The information provided on this page is for a game still under development. The content and specifications may change at any time without notification.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Announcement Campaign
To celebrate the announcement of Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis, a “Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Announcement Campaign” will be held in Phantasy Star Online 2. This campaign features some truly tantalizing items, so we invite all ARKS operatives who have taken a vacation from Phantasy Star Online 2 to come back and have some fun while waiting for the release of Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis! Click here for more information about this campaign!
Watch a new followup trailer below.