What is Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis?

[Zeta Ori]

Announcing Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis​

"Today we proudly announce Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis (PSO2: NGS). Read this article for more details on what to expect in the next big PSO2 experience, coming in 2021!

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 PSO2 for all players, including active ARKS operatives and those who are currently on hiatus.

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis (PSO2: NGS for short) 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, PSO2 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 PSO2 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 PSO2 universe for years to come.

PSO2: NGS 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 PSO2: NGS is related to PSO2 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 PSO2'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. PSO2 will be reborn as an open-field online RPG, with a renewed battle system and game system to match!


The twin universes of PSO2: NGS and PSO2 exist side by side! Both are playable!

You can continue to enjoy the original PSO2 even after PSO2: NGS has been released. Accounts that have been playing PSO2 will be able to hop between PSO2: NGS and PSO2. However, because the game system is vastly different, we would like to explain what exactly is changing with PSO2: NGS 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 PSO2: NGS's character creation system is compatible with that of PSO2, players are free to decide which one they want to use.

Finally, PSO2's core graphics engine will also be overhauled, allowing you to use characters created with PSO2: NGS's system within PSO2 as well. Naturally, ALL character creation info from PSO2 (including items linked to emotes and other previously registered data) will be compatible with PSO2: NGS! Note: The system requirements for the PC version will increase when PSO2 is updated to meet PSO2: NGS's standards.


Changes to the Game System

Because PSO2: NGS and PSO2 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 PSO2'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 PSO2: NGS

The following items obtained in PSO2 cannot be used in PSO2: NGS.

⬨ Items Obtained in PSO2 That Cannot Be Used in PSO2: NGS

• 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 PSO2: NGS and PSO2.

Because Meseta, FUN, and other currencies greatly affect the balance of the game's economy, these cannot be shared between PSO2: NGS and PSO2.

⬨ Character Growth

• Character growth will not be shared between PSO2 and PSO2: NGS.

⬨ Examples of Character Growth Elements That Are Not Shared With PSO2: NGS

• Level
• EXP
• Class Skills
• Photon Arts
• Techniques

⬧ Regarding Weapons, Units, and Mags

Weapons, Units, and Mags obtained in PSO2 can be used in PSO2: NGS as well. However, their functions, abilities, and appearances will change in accordance with PSO2: NGS's game system. Note: These changes will only occur when playing PSO2: NGS. They will retain their original functions, abilities, and appearances within PSO2.

⬨ 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 PSO2: NGS, they will be unusable until the relevant class has been released.

⬨ Units
In PSO2: NGS, Units will become armor that is not visible. Even Units that have been obtained in PSO2 will become invisible in PSO2: NGS. 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 PSO2: NGS do not affect your stats or aid you in battle, Evolution Device data from PSO2 will carry over.

Be sure to keep an eye out for more PSO2: NGS news, for further information on how data will transfer between the two games!


PSO2: NGS Release Information

⬧ Available Platforms
Planned for release on Windows 10, Xbox One.
Note: If PSO2 is added to new platforms, we plan to make PSO2: NGS available on those platforms as well.

⬧ 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."

 

[Theswweet]

TL;DR - It's essentially PSO3, but in the PSO2 universe, and we'll be able to transfer some parts about our characters forward. At least that's the read I'm getting?

 

[Razgriz417]

its interesting that you can transfer your character back and forth between the 2. Hoping we hear news about the steam version soon

 

[Danthrax]

I wonder if they'll give us a chance to redesign our characters that we bring over to NGS or if we'll have to spend whatever the equivalent of a Salon Pass will be.

 

[Harpoon]

A little bit worried my computer isn't actually going to be able to run NGS. Hopefully the graphics options are still accommodating.

 

[RROCKMAN]

PSO 2-2

 

[wwm0nkey]

Yup so its PSO3 but shares info with PSO2 then, that's fine and great news about being able to go from this back to PSO2 whenever

 

[Kouriozan]

Do we keep the costumes? Because I'm debating to get the Ragol Memory thing for the HUcast costume.
At worst, it's going to be the 20th year of PSO1 so those will come back I suppose.

 

[VeePs]

So its essentially a sequel? Seems like a good time to jump in.

When is the release date?

 

[Deleted member 388]

Levels, skills and money don't transfer. All classes may not be there at start.

Sounds more like transferring your commander Shepherd to a new Mass Effect than it sounds like just a graphics overhaul.

Do we keep the costumes? Because I'm debating to get the Ragol Memory thing for the HUcast costume.

Click to shrink...

They say we keep "character data" but haven't explicitly said costumes will transfer and only have explicitly mentioned emotes. They'll lose a great deal of faith if those items don't migrate considering it's being dropped a year after PSO2 in America.

I feel like if this was released only in JP it would be called PSO3 but because of the NA launch only being this year we're getting this Frankenstein. Interested to see how the player economy crashes in OG PSO2 since meseta doesn't transfer.

 

[Rosur]

So its essentially a sequel? Seems like a good time to jump in.

When is the release date?

Click to shrink...

That's what I was thinking as looks quite cool. Does depend on how the monetisation is though.

 

[Kouriozan]

Levels, skills and money don't transfer. All classes may not be there at start.

Sounds like transferring your commander Shepherd to a new Mass Effect.


They say we keep "character data" but haven't explicitly said costumes will transfer and only have explicitly mentioned emotes. They'll lose a great deal of faith if those items don't migrate considering it's being dropped a year after PSO2 in America.

I feel like if this was released only in JP it would be called PSO3 but because of the NA launch only being this year we're getting this Frankenstein. Interested to see how the player economy crashes in OG PSO2 since meseta doesn't transfer.

Click to shrink...

I saw they might release it in Europe after all, in the other thread, so I'll just wait and see.
I don't want to spend 26€ and they announce it's officially coming in Europe 2 months later lol

 

[Slaythe]

HOLY SHIT I AM SO HYPED

 

[Harpoon]

Levels, skills and money don't transfer. All classes may not be there at start.

Sounds more like transferring your commander Shepherd to a new Mass Effect than it sounds like just a graphics overhaul.


They say we keep "character data" but haven't explicitly said costumes will transfer and only have explicitly mentioned emotes. They'll lose a great deal of faith if those items don't migrate considering it's being dropped a year after PSO2 in America.

I feel like if this was released only in JP it would be called PSO3 but because of the NA launch only being this year we're getting this Frankenstein. Interested to see how the player economy crashes in OG PSO2 since meseta doesn't transfer.

Click to shrink...

Them updating PSO2's graphics to match NGS's makes me think the transfer of all cosmetics is highly likely.

 

[Deleted member 388]

Them updating PSO2's graphics to match NGS's makes me think the transfer of all cosmetics is highly likely.

Click to shrink...

I'm inclined to think that, and a lot of the clothing is already high res in the salon and cutscenes. But my fiancée who is all in on accessorizing in the game is now paranoid until they flat out say that clothing transfers.

 

[Xiofire]

Is this to PSO2 what FF14 Realm Reborn was to FF14?

 

[Jackano]

Phantasy Star 2
Phantasy Star Online Episode 2
Phantasy Star Online 2
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis

wait there are episodes in PSO 2 too? Ok I'm too old for this as well

 

[Deleted member 388]

Is this to PSO2 what FF14 Realm Reborn was to FF14?

Click to shrink...

Nah, the original game will still exist and be playable. Think of it as a sequel that lets you hop between the two with the same character.

 

[Lumination]

Is this game good? How's the monetization? In terms of graphical fidelity, I thought this was the prettiest looking game in the showcase yesterday.

 

[Slaythe]

TL;DR - It's essentially PSO3, but in the PSO2 universe, and we'll be able to transfer some parts about our characters forward. At least that's the read I'm getting?

Click to shrink...

Yes.

Ps2O is getting an overhaul and the new game is the vision many of us expected to see with a "pso2" game, while the actual pso2 just did its own thing.

It's basically psO3 with cross compatibility with the revamped pso2, and capitalizing on the branding of pso2 since this was very successful in japan.

They're basically catering to everybody in the fanbase, the psO style and psO2 lovers, with two different games running concurrently but allowing seamless cross between the two for those that want both.

That's insane honestly.

Also I absolutely hated the looks of characters in PSO2 and the new creator should let us make bad ass characters so I'm happy. We just need better hair / facial options :p .

 

[Zeta Ori]

Is this game good? How's the monetization? In terms of graphical fidelity, I thought this was the prettiest looking game in the showcase yesterday.

Click to shrink...

PSO2 is a great game provided you understand you are playing an 8-year old last gen MMO.

What I mean is that the gameplay and core systems are definitely solid and good enough to explain why this game has persisted so long compared to others in the same genre, but there is also a lot of baggage that comes with its age. The UI is horrendous at times, there's 300 different currencies and materials to keep track of, some content is pretty much pointless, some systems are unnecessarily complex, etc.

Id say if you are interested but don't care for all that baggage, PSO2: NG is the fresh start we have been waiting for. If you can overlook that stuff, PSO2 is fun to jump into right now.

Edit:

Monetization wise there's a bunch of stuff to spend real money on, but nothing p2w or even really necessary. The cosmetics are what everyone spends actual money on and all of them can be bought/sold in player shops for the main currency that can be earned in game.

Outside of cosmetics the two areas you will be advised to spend money on is expanding storage/material storage and extra mags, both of which are very convenient to have but again, not necessary.

 

[Vex]

I AM BEYOND HYPED. I HAVE ASCENDED. I HAVE ASCENDED TO SUPER HYPENESS.

Do we know what engine they are using? It looks silky smooth,

 

[Lumination]

PSO2 is a great game provided you understand you are playing an 8-year old last gen MMO.

What I mean is that the gameplay and core systems are definitely solid and good enough to explain why this game has persisted so long compared to others in the same genre, but there is also a lot of baggage that comes with its age. The UI is horrendous at times, there's 300 different currencies and materials to keep track of, some content is pretty much pointless, some systems are unnecessarily complex, etc.

Id say if you are interested but don't care for all that baggage, PSO2: NG is the fresh start we have been waiting for. If you can overlook that stuff, PSO2 is fun to jump into right now.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. I'll be very curious to see how they overhaul and update those systems.

 

[Zeta Ori]

I AM BEYOND HYPED. I HAVE ASCENDED. I HAVE ASCENDED TO SUPER HYPENESS.

Do we know what engine they are using? It looks silky smooth,

Click to shrink...

Pretty sure it's a proprietary engine, especially if they are going in and updating regular PSO2 as well. I would think that means the engines have to be related in some way, so maybe it's a heavily modified version of what PSO2 was already on?

 

[HarryDemeanor]

I played very little of PSO2 when it launched in NA as it didn't grab me at first. Think I'll wait for New Genesis as it looked really cool in that trailer.

 

[LaneDS]

I love this approach they're taking. I wanted to play PSO2 (about a decade ago!) and was excited to see it's finally localized, but the years of accumulated jank and early F2P elements kind of have kept me from jumping in. Hearing their plans for this new version and how they're supporting the old one makes me much more likely to engage with current PSO2 a bit.

Thought the MS show yesterday was largely a mess but the PSO2 announcement was the only thing between MS or Sony's recent shows that actually really surprised and excited me, so yeah, this is great news.