Phantasy Star Universe Q&A Feature

Due in 2006 Phantasy Star Universe is the first single-player Phantasy Star game to arrive in more than a decade. The venerable Phantasy Star franchise started as a series of turn-based RPGs (Phantasy Star I-IV, 1988-1994), before evolving into an online multiplayer action-adventure (Phantasy Star Online Episode I-IV, 2000-2005), and now hits its stride as the best of both, a single player action-RPG with a multiplayer online component.

Games features are impressive with a fully-featured single-player campaign spanning more than 40 hours of gameplay, three different planets to explore and a strong ensemble joins Ethan on his journey. Each character has their own unique skill set to bring into battle, and controllable vehicles make transportation easier and more fun along with more than 20 dungeons in the single-player adventure.

There is a lot more as Derek dela Fuente found out as he quizzed Takao Miyoshi, the producer of Phantasy Star Universe.

Firstly can you bring anybody not particularly au-fait with the Phantasy Star universe up to scratch?

Phantasy Star is a RPG based in space, itâ??s a bit of a legend in SEGAâ??s history with a Fantasy Sci-Fi atmosphere.

In PSU, players can enjoy both single player and online multiplayer experiences. In single player, players will play from the point of view of a hero named Ethan Waber. Players will play within the same game world and story as single player but with their own character and other network players in the multiplayer experience. Both options put the hero in a similar situation where they find themselves tackling an unknown living matter called â??SEEDâ? which has suddenly invaded the Gurhal System.

Please tell us about the storyline and a little about the main character and the tasks he faces?

The Gurhal system, which has 3 planets, is the game world of Phantasy Star Universe. 4 types of species live in the system and are now coexistent with each other after 500 years of war. 100 years after the Tripartite Ally is established, the Gurhal system is suddenly invaded by unknown living matter called â??SEEDâ?, and the world begins to become cloaked in darkness.

In single player, Ethan Waber experiences the SEED invasion and becomes a member of the private security company called â??GUARDIANSâ?. Ethan, who was an average boy living in the GUARDIANS colony, grows up through many trials, meets many people who have unique characteristics and finds out â??what it is he fights forâ? little by little. Gradually he grows up to be a hero who saves the world from ruin.

His first trial is saving his sister, â??Lumia Waberâ? who is trapped by wreckage caused by the SEED invasion.

"We are still evaluating whether or not PS2 users and PC users will be able to play together."

Can you elaborate and on the gameâ??s combat system that will have the player working in unison with his 2 AI controlled helpers?

Support AI characters follow and fight with the playerâ??s character, Ethan. They support players with their special skills.

Phantasy offers single-player campaign spanning more than 40 hours of gameplay with three different planets to explore as only a part of what is on offer. Tell us how the game will capture the attention of RPG fans that you feel will show off the game in terms of the story and the interaction in the game?

Accessible planets will be extended, according to the playerâ??s progress. Players will have to visit the same places many times to resolve mysteries; giving plenty of opportunities for replayability. Players can approach the core story by resolving secrets and finding keys to the story from each planet.

What kind of technology and engine is shared between the PC and PS2 version and how important is technology advancement to the game and it is true that both PC and PS2 gamers will play against each other online?

We are using our own engine for developing PS2 and PC. We are still evaluating whether or not PS2 users and PC users will be able to play together. The biggest improvement from the PSO era is the advancement of the network environment, and thanks to broadband this enables us to have many variations of character action.

What are some of the skill sets that the cast that will join Ethan have, and what are some of the customizable features you are really excited about?

Players can select their weapons from the list named â??Custom palletâ?. All weapons are categorized into single-handed weapons and double-handed weapons. One-handed weapons are used in combination with other one-handed weapons in the pallet. Players have to fight by choosing the best weapon according to enemiesâ?? attributions, fighting style and numbers.

Players can customize their weapons in online multiplayer as well as single player. So there will not be the same pallets and photon art combinations amongst characters.

Are you able to give the readers an insight please about the controllable vehicles and how they will be used within the game?

PSU has some vehicle scenes in certain environments such as deserts, wetlands etc. An example of this is a â??floaderâ?, a vehicle like an air bike, as well as a â??Lungaâ?.

"At the moment all PSU staff, including me, is putting all their time and energy into development to ensure everyone enjoys the game."

What do you see as the biggest challenge that you will be under with the making of Phantasy Star Universe?

The biggest challenge at this time is to ensure PSU has a magnificent scale story in single player and at the same time realizing you can still expand the core gameplay experience by continuing the story in online multiplayer.

Do you have a few interesting facts to offer about character advancement?

We have much interest in character advancement. As a result, PSU offers players the chance to make up their own character as see fit. By being able to do this, it makes it varied and fun for the player.

The game is both an online experience and has a single player focus; can you merge the two equally and not lose focus?

We hope players learn about the story, characters and how to control their characters from the single player mode and then go on to enjoy the online multiplayer mode. Whilst there they can enhance their skills in the game and their characters.

We donâ??t lose focus because each playing mode shares the same game world, with just a different style of game play. It just means we have double the workload as itâ??s like developing 2 titles simultaneously!

Any other comments youâ??d like to add for our readers?

At the moment all PSU staff, including me, is putting all their time and energy into development to ensure everyone enjoys the game.

TVG would like to thank Takao Miyoshi for taking the time in his busy schedule to provide us with this brief insight. Phantasy Star Universe is slated for a February 2006 release on the Playstation2 and PC; weâ??ll have further information soonâ?¦