Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis is a free-to-play online action/RPG, well known for its unparalleled character customization and battle action which captivated the world.

This update may come as a surprise to those of you who are still playing Episode 3. In Japan, PSO2 recently celebrated its 8th anniversary and is gearing up for the end of Episode 6. Because the game system and graphics engine were created eight years ago, they may seem unrefined to modern players, especially to those of you whose adventures just began with the North American version. This is why the development team is preparing a massive update instead of a new episode—to give PSO2 the renewal it deserves.

We are proud to present this dramatic evolution to you as Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. 

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online, we will be aiming for even greater heights and reshaping the story, game system, graphics engine, and character creation system. PSO2 will be reborn as an open-field online RPG, with a renewed battle system and game system to match!

You can continue to enjoy the original PSO2 even after PSO2: NGS has been released. Accounts that have been playing PSO2 will be able to hop between PSO2: NGS and PSO2.

SEGA revealed that Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis has surpassed 11 million registered users!

This huge milestone comes two years after its global release and follows the game's latest update, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis ver. 2, which added the Creative Space.

Known for its players' creativity, PSO2: NGS has added a new way for players to play, create, and share with each other.

Today, players can also enjoy two exciting collaborations in-game: Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 and Sonic's Birthday Celebration!

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Collaboration

PSO2: NGS is proud to announce a collaboration with Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 from the Ghost in the Shell series, a seminal work in cyberpunk science fiction, which releases today.

The story is set in 2045. The world has plunged into the Sustainable War, a planned war that can be continued indefinitely. Full-body cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi and other former members of Public Security Section 9, now working as mercenaries, are confronted by a new threat: the mysterious "Post Humans." Amidst a whirlwind of intrigue between the major powers, the members of Section 9 reassemble to face this new threat.

AC Scratch Ticket: GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 Style includes outfits based on Motoko Kusanagi and Batou as well as the Cebro C-40A as a Weapon Camo. There will also be Emotes, Motion Changes, and Mags based on the Tachikoma, an advanced AI-equipped multi-legged thinking tank with a mind of its own.

There is a commemorative Login Bonus during the limited-time collaboration. Log in during the collaboration period to receive a special Login Bonus for up to 7 days and get Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 stickers and posters for the new Creative Space!

Sonic's Birthday!

Sonic's Birthday event has started! This year Sonic and friends will be appearing in the lobby of PSO2 Blocks, Central City in NGS Blocks will also have statues of them scattered about. During this period, many new items related to the world's fastest hedgehog will be available through Login Bonuses and Limited-time Tasks. Join in the festivities and let's all celebrate Sonic's birthday together!

In addition, a collab pack with costumes of Sega's popular Sonic characters and themed Build Parts for the Creative Space is available at various stores and at the in-game AC Shop.This pack includes a 15-day Premium Set ticket and other consumable items!

There is a Sonic-themed Limited-time Quest, Special Training: Green Hill Sprint. This quest features a fast-paced, Sonic-like sprint through Central City and West Aelio. By collecting the Rings and Chaos Emeralds scattered throughout the field, players can earn Quest Points, and all players will be progressively enhanced according to the total number of Rings and Chaos Emeralds acquired.

There are also Limited-time Tasks and exclusive Title Tasks for this quest, and by completing them, players can earn titles such as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in addition to collaboration Stamps, Music Discs, accessories, and other items, so don't miss out!

With the new graphics engine comes enhanced character models. In addition to the features present in the current character creation system, you'll now have even more detailed options, like changing the luster of your character's skin. Characters will also be able to move their fingers now! Furthermore, you'll be able to wear more accessories—as well as change their locations—creating even more customized characters. Because PSO2: NGS's character creation system is compatible with that of PSO2, players are free to decide which one they want to use.

Finally, PSO2's core graphics engine will also be overhauled, allowing you to use characters created with PSO2: NGS's system within PSO2 as well. Naturally, ALL character creation info from PSO2 (including items linked to emotes and other previously registered data) will be compatible with PSO2: NGS!

Because PSO2: NGS and PSO2 will have different game systems, some of their respective elements will be incompatible. The following points will summarize what we can announce at this time.

Key Features:

• Free to play!
• Huge wide-open battlefield environments! Explore a whole new world featuring broad, expansive playfields filled with ferocious enemies waiting for you and your team. Traverse wide-open environments, speed and soar across the giant landscape and skies with new special abilities. Transitioning into a new area is as simple as walking into it -- no loading screens.
• Enhanced character models! Create your identity with any character you can imagine in PSO2:NGS using the powerful creation engine. Adjust every imaginable characteristic to create your one-of-a-kind avatar.
• Redesigned graphics engine! Witness lush environments, amazingly detailed player characters, and monstrous foes in razor-sharp resolution. Watch spectacular new lighting and particle effects as weapons clash with armor. See the world as you've never seen it before.
• New multi-weapon system and abilities! Combine 2 types of weapons for smoother weapon switching. Battle at lightning speed using a variety of weapons and techniques.
• Connects with PSO2! Move easily in-game between PSO2:NGS and PSO2.
• Cross-platform! PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 players can play together side by side.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available for PS4, Xbox One (will support Xbox Series X|S in the future) and PC with cross-platform play.