SEGA Investing In Free-To-Play, But No Solid News On Phantasy Star Online 2

By Jason Winter, News Editor Posted: May 12, 2015

SEGA isn't quite giving up on its console titles, but it's not real happy with them either and intends to make a bigger push in the free-to-play market in the coming years.

According to SEGA's most recent financial report, "packaged games" didn't fare so well, being described as "weak due to the harsh market environment." Free-to-play gaming, though? Everything's coming up roses!

On the other hand, in the field of digital game software for mobile phones, smartphones, and PC downloading, the entire field of digital game software remained strong.

Most of the F2P games mentioned in SEGA's report are of the typical mobile variety, though PC titles do get a call-out, even if it comes at the expense of non-F2P, packaged games:

the field of digital game software for smartphones and online PC games as the center of growth and will promptly shift management resources from fields such as packaged game software and amusement machine. In the field of digital game software in which market growth is expected to continue

Mentioned in that same positive breath as a "mainstay title" is Phantasy Star Online 2 -- and no, there's no talk of when the MMO will be coming to the West. However, if there's anything good to be gleaned from all this, it's that SEGA is hopping even more fully onto the F2P bandwagon, which could prompt them to devote, you know, actual resources to PSO2's Western release. We can only hope.

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In this article: Phantasy Star Online 2, SEGA.

About the Author

Jason Winter, News Editor

Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.

More Stories by Jason Winter

Buggy 9 years ago

Alright Sega let me give you a warning about information on PSO2 to site either you release it to the west or gtfo

Riflebird 9 years ago

It always amazes me when Japanese game companies refuse to release products in the western territories then they wonder why the hell they're bankrupt and out of money.

PSO2 may be a good game (I don't know whether it is or not since I will never get to pay it) but Sega missed their window to release it here in the West. Not many outside of PSO fanboys will care when a five year old asian MMORPG finally gets released in NA/EU.

carter311 9 years ago

I loved pso played it on my dreamcast, o the memories. really wanted to get into pso2 but say just messes there fans around far 2 much. if i comes out ill play it but been waiting that long now like every one i dont think we have much hope at all, i think we have all accepted it not coming out over here or if it does will be some bodge that will be open for 6 months then close so they can say we had it and it ddnt do well so they closed it.

Cryght 9 years ago

I played on the jap servers.. the second i was discovered as an English only speaking person in the game. my account got wiped. then banned when i made a new character. I was also on Ship 4. I miss my CAST Gunner. i had upgraded him to use heavy artillery

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rr 9 years ago

You can still play the Japanese servers, tho I'll tell ya. You aren't missing out. If you were looking to be a tank or a support, you'll fine your shit out of luck. Want to do end game stuff? You'll need some god-tier amount of luck if you want a weapon for your class. Wanna be Hunter or Gunner main? Ha. Please leave your FUN points and Meseta at the door. Also what are the chances that all the anime and other game cross overs would also be released out west.

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70calories 9 years ago

meh I doubt it'll ever get here and even if it does I wouldn't really care stopped being excited about it a long time ago

Zerynthia 9 years ago

Even if PSO2 comes to the West, I would not say its worth playing as SEGA will likely treat the West bad as they did with PSU. I'm a monster PSO fan but the way SEGA treats the west is a joke. I'll guess this ahead of time. If it does come out in the West, it will be 6 months behind on content and there will be bugger all customer support as well as hacking up the ying yang.

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Adam 9 years ago

well i can't really say that im still excited about PSO2. If it comes to the west, I'll play it but i won't throw a fit if it doesn't.

UPDATED: Tree of Savior Adds English Version to Steam Greenlight

Well, Tree of Savior still doesn't have an "official" publisher here in the West, but perhaps a bit of Steam Greenlight love could get some publisher attention for incGames' upcoming free to play title.

By Michael Byrne - 9 years ago