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 announced Phantasy Star Online 2 will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary and the 35th Anniversary of the Phantasy Star series by holding Sympathy 2023, an orchestral concert at Bunkamaru Orchard Hall on January 21 at 1 AM PST (Jan 21 at 6 PM JST). This is the series' first orchestral performance in nearly two years.

The concert will feature Azusa Tadokoro who voices Nadereh in Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. Tadokoro will be joined by vocalists Annette Marie Cotrill, Mika Arisaka, Aimee Blackschleger, Karen, Jiro Takano, Florence McNair, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Satomi Sato. The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Masamichi Amano.

A vocal rendition of Unfathomable Darkness—the most-requested song in the Vocals for instrumental song survey for the PSO2 10th Anniversary Project—will be performed in the orchestral portion of Part 1! Azusa Tadokoro will sing Song of War in Part 2: Live performance and Song of Mourning in the orchestral portion of Part 3!

On January 21st at 1 AM PST (Jan 21 at 6 PM JST), players from around the world can attend the live stream by purchasing live stream tickets now.  All ticket purchasers will receive a bonus item code that can be used in-game to redeem a chat stamp, sticker, violin emote, and Mag Form. Archived viewing is available until January 29 at 11:59 PM PST.

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.