Developer interview notes from Dengeki PlayStation

[Criss]

I'd like to remind everyone that the console that has insane connectivity with the PSP is the PS3, not the PS2.

With that in mind, and the fact that no new expansion was yet announced for PC/Console PSU, they might very well be working on a complete overhaul for PS3/PC and X360, with HDD support and downloadable content. Like they pulled for PSO with Blue Burst on PC. I'm pretty sure SEGA knows that they've shot themselves in the foot by still releasing a toned down version of the game to fit on one disk after Sony pulled support for the PS2's HDD. So I wouldn't be surprised if they had started work on a next-gen version and if AotI was just a fix and filler to help the game survive until it's released. The PS3 is finally starting to catch up, and can only get better with new features like in-game XMB access and trophies coming up soon in firmware 2.4, then Home coming in sometime later.

PSU isn't dead yet. There isn't much news about the future of the main PSU servers, but the amount of new content they're putting on that PSP version is impressive, and can only mean that more good things are coming. If they're actually planning something big, and haven't completely given up on the US/EU servers, they will release the PSP version here at some point.

[Zantra]

I just don't understand why they won't give us a portable PSO, considering the fact that this seems more like PSO now, than PSU.

[Ahkaskar]

LOL, wish the developers for our servers were this motivated.

I think they're the same devs. Problem is they're more motivated for their servers than ours.

The people pushing the decisions want to focus on JP, so the ONE dev team does more for those servers. SoA justs get handed patches which may or may not actually include what they asked for and then people blame the SoA GMs when it doesn't happen.

[Criss]

I just don't understand why they won't give us a portable PSO, considering the fact that this seems more like PSO now, than PSU.

Because PSO is outdated, especially when it comes to the combat system, and PSU's subpar graphics allows SEGA to port most of the graphical assets to handheld without doing much change, so they can focus more on content and fixing some of PSU's main flaws.

Developping a PSO portable game would require them to redo pretty much all of the maps, character models, etc, while having to keep the same obsolete combat system.

PSU has all the potential needed to be better than PSO in nearly every aspect. The original PSU release was just crippled by hasty development and by Sony pulling back support for the PS2's HDD.

[goldbrease]

i'm still trying to figure out how a conjoined psu offline psp and online ps2/pc and mabe 360 is gona work. are there going to be achievment codes to get that you trade in online to get stuff? or is there going to be like sega stations were you take you psu copy in plug it in and since its suposedly conected to you online chars it will give them the achivements?

i realy don't understand how this will work.

[Zantra]

i'm still trying to figure out how a conjoined psu offline psp and online ps2/pc and mabe 360 is gona work. are there going to be achievment codes to get that you trade in online to get stuff? or is there going to be like sega stations were you take you psu copy in plug it in and since its suposedly conected to you online chars it will give them the achivements?

i realy don't understand how this will work.

USB cable.

PS2 (or PS3, or PC) with a copy of PSU: AOTI in it.

and your PSP, with a copy of PSP in it.

Connect and transfer you online PS2/PC characters to your PSP game.

and your PS2/PC characters get special items.

And, a mission or two of some sort.

It's also speculated that you will get Vivienne's partner card for PC/PS2.

[goldbrease]

USB cable.

PS2 (or PS3, or PC) with a copy of PSU: AOTI in it.

and your PSP, with a copy of PSP in it.

Connect and transfer you online PS2/PC characters to your PSP game.

and your PS2/PC characters get special items.

And, a mission or two of some sort.

It's also speculated that you will get Vivienne's partner card for PC/PS2.

so as i read this as we do special stuff in psu psp we can connect it to our ps2 and transfer data to the ps2 and get special items while doing the same the other way around?

[RemiusTA]

I just don't understand why they won't give us a portable PSO, considering the fact that this seems more like PSO now, than PSU.

Because PSU is absolutely nothing like PSO.

[EspioKaos]

Let me do some clarification on the whole AOTI data import to PSP thing. There seems to be a lot of confusion on the whole thing.

* The import process takes place entirely on the PSP. From the main menu, you select the data transfer option which will prompt you to enter your Japanese PSU ID and password. Obviously, you must have a wireless internet connection for this to work.
* After entering your account information, you select which character to transfer.
* After transferring your character, you will receive a special item in AOTI; either Vivienne Fluge or Whitill Wing.
* In PSP, your character will retain the name, race and appearance of your AOTI character. Also, your level will transfer, but only up to LV20. (In other words, if you are LV21+ in AOTI, your PSP character will start out at LV20.)
* Excluding the clothes/parts your AOTI character is wearing at the time of transfer, none of your AOTI inventory will transfer to PSP. That means your weapons, photon arts, PM, common box inventory, etc., etc. will not transfer. You will, however, be given 10,000 Meseta in PSP to get you started.

[SonicTMP]

* After transferring your character, you will receive a special item in AOTI; either Vivienne Fluge or Whitill Wing.

wait wait... you're saying that a unit that has been on disc since PSU first came out is ONLY going to be aviable via a xfer process from the psp version over 3 years later of the release?

My mind is truly baffled how this works. Assuming this comes tot he US if we want either of those items (i highly doubt they will be released normally) we'll have top buy a psp and psu for it... Great so have to drop what.. $250 for an in-game item? Awesome.

God I can't wait for wrath of the lich king.