PS Vita

Phantasy Star Online 2 producer addresses PlayStation Vita concerns

Sakai on updates, cheating, and synchronization.

Phantasy Star Online 2 producer Satoshi Sakai has taken to the official Phantasy Star blog to address concerns surrounding the recently announced PlayStation Vita version of the the game.

Large-Scale Updates

Fans have expressed concerns that – like Phantasy Star Universe for PS2 – the PlayStation Vita version of Phantasy Star Online 2 will lessen the PC version. Phantasy Star Universe for PS2 was not able to receive large-scale updates, affecting the PC version as a result. PlayStation Vita, however, is a completely different platform and will be able to accommodate quite differently, assured Sakai. PlayStation 2 did not have a hard-drive, so they were not able to release new add-ons.

Easier to Cheat on PS Vita

Sakai notes that past Phantasy Star titles, such as Phantasy Star Online and Phantasy Star Portable 2, have offered offline experiences, therefore storing local data and making it easier to cheat. Phantasy Star Online 2, however, is completely online, so all data is managed on the network and is kept under tight security.

Wi-Fi vs. 3G

PlayStation Vita owners have the option of playing Phantasy Star Online 2 on both Wi-Fi and 3G. The amount of data sent or received on each is significantly different, however. When playing on Wi-Fi, PS Vita users’ data speeds are close to that of PC users. On 3G, however, they are not, so the team is planning something separate for 3G players. Sakai did not go into detail.

Cross-Platform Play

Sakai said the team is “aiming toward complete synchronus play” between the PC and PS Vita versions. The PS Vita version will have to undergo its own round of beta testing for this, however. Depending on the results, synchronus play between the PS Vita and PC versions may not be possible, said Sakai.

More Announcements

Phantasy Star Online 2 for PlayStation Vita isn’t the only announcement we’ll see out of the series this month. Sakai will announce information regarding the next test at the end of the month.

If you missed it, the first screenshots of Phantasy Star Online 2 for PlayStation Vita were released last night.

Thanks, My Game News Flash.