Yeah, I realize that I've been posting a lot of PSO2 news/comments on this blog lately. Any new PSO2 news is a lot more interesting than another PSU maintenance period skipped and another week of no new content.
So, on to the PSO2 news. Sega of Japan has posted job listings for software engineers looking to help develop Phantasy Star Online 2. (As a side note, this does not give me great confidence for a release anytime next year.)
Of particular interest are the qualifications required for the positions. According to the job listings, posted on Sega of Japan's corporate site and translated in a post on fansite PSO World, successful candidates will (among other things) have "experience in network game development for PC, PS3 and/or Xbox 360".
I found this to be a little troubling, since it indicates that Sega is at least considering console versions of PSO2. Such a decision could have disastrous effects on the success of the game in the West, primarily in regards to the international servers that many potential players (including this one) are hoping for.
So far, PSO2 has only been announced for the PC. Any console versions of the game that are announced could ruin the dream of international servers. A PS3 version of PSO2 does not necessarily mean certain doom, since PC and PS3 servers would probably be combined (as they were with PSU). However, if an Xbox 360 version of the game is announced, all bets are off. Microsoft's refusal to allow combined Xbox/PC/PS2/PS3 servers means that the server population would have to be split somehow. Of course, if that were to happen, Sega could break the population up into international PC/PS3 and international Xbox 360 servers. However, I think this scenario would be unlikely. Instead, I would expect regional servers and a return to the drama and infighting that made the PSU community so great.
Bottom line: Pray that Sega stays away from the consoles, especially Xbox 360, if you are hoping for worldwide servers.
There's also the issue of actual development. If Sega chose to release console versions of the game, which console would they use to develop the game? I won't care as long as Sega chooses the PC or the PS3. The Xbox 360 is the weakest link of the three platforms, and I think Sega would have a hard time making a really good-looking, expansive, next-generation game there.
Of course, this is all speculation. Sega may choose not to develop any console versions of the game at all. This is the smartest choice, but with Sega it's not a foregone conclusion. We can only wait, watch, and hope they get things right.
2 comments:
you among many PC gamers need to stop being so selfish when it comes to your games i mean seriously console gamers never bother PC gamers but yet here you are hopeing i never get one of my favorite games of all time. i loved psu for my xbox 360 and the bottom line is consoles are the future and have the largest market and you should respect others right to game just as much as your own i enjoy PS just as much as you so does that give anyone the right to take it away from me? no how would you like it not even gping on pc?
Oh yes, we PC gamers totally enjoy ruining gaming for console gamers. Here at the blog it's our number 1 priority. It brings us great joy that this post has infuriated you so. We hope we can continue to do so in the future as well.
Serious reply:
We just want PSO2 to do well and be a decent game. The only way for there to be an Xbox360 version of the game is if they do two things:
1)require a hard drive, built in flash won't cut it.
2)bypass Live to allow play with the PC version. Having the game separated again would be suicide for the game there is no reason to have two versions competing against each other. Also "Games for Windows Live" isn't a valid option, just as the terrible name suggests, the service is absolutely terrible and this would also limit the freedom over content Sega would need to make PSO2 a success.
Although these days it seems Microsoft isn't willing to let multiplatform online gaming happen on Xbox. So I don't see having PSO2 on it a good idea unless they can.
Still if there is a console version of the game I think it would be best for a PS3 version of the game since Sony seems willing to work with other platforms (Ex: Portal 2 with Steam on PS3). But I think that it would be better for Sega to focus a PC version then bring to consoles.
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