As you can see, it’s Phantasy Star Portable 2 for the PSP, along with its accessory set, made by Hori. The accessory set itself comes with the shown blue hard pouch, protection filters, and an analog stick attachment. This stuff is compatible with either the PSP-2000 or PSP-3000. I happen to have a PSP-3000, so I slapped it all on there, minus the analog stick attachment:

Anything that isn’t a black attachment is likely to discolor over time, and seeing this was going to happen I decided to go with a black attachment. Sadly, the Hori D-Pad attachment is not compatible with the Face Cover Portable 3 design, so I left it out.

You’ll notice the Face Cover Portable 3 design makes the PSP look more like a Nintendo DS now, lol.

This also came in the mail today:

As you can see it’s the Planex GW-USMicroN, which I picked off eBay for a reasonable price, including shipping. Great for use with the PSP and XLink, but I’m looking to see how to mess with turning it into an access point of its own. Funny the product itself is Japanese and touts “official support” for XLink Kai… goes to show how far the Japanese are interested in this sort of thing.

Maybe that’s why Adhoc Party became so important to Sony…

So it looks like SEGA can afford allowing extra collaborations beyond the UMD space. Might I make a couple of suggestions (though not wholly inclusive):

CHAOS;HEAD

• All the Di-Swords as swords, except for Rimi’s which would be a Twin Dagger
• Suimei Academy uniforms for men and women. Women would have more variations, particularly in choices like stocking colors, etc.
• Seira-tan’s outfit, pre and post-awakening versions
• Possibly Rimi’s “Final Attack” as a Photon Mirage? Doubtful
• Hair styles covered from CHAOS;HEAD not already covered by PSP2

.hack

• Kite’s Twin Daggers, Haseo’s X-Form Twin Daggers
• Data Drain Bracelet as a Photon Mirage
• All 8 Epitaphs as MAGs
• Hair styles covered from .hack not already covered by PSP2

Sadly, I cannot think of anything for Steins;Gate. Despite it having a story x1000 that of CHAOS;HEAD, it unfortunately would not fit…

I call on anyone going through this blog to boycott Phantasy Star Universe US/EU versions. Do NOT pay for PC, PS2, or Xbox 360 versions. Please spread the word.

Here’s my policy; if you don’t sell < NPC price, I’m buying at the NPC. I’m not going to support asshats who think they can make a living off overpricing people.

Let us classify skill levels in C/B/A-Levels. So C-Levels would be Levels 1-10, B-Levels would be 11-20, and A-Levels would be 21-30. Since the PP cost is the same from 1-10, 11-20, and 21-30 respectively, it’s better to assume it this way.

1. Higher, worse exponential curve going from C to A-Level for techniques. You can blame Deega for this one.
2. Being able to choose whether or not to cast at C/B/A-Levels for bullets/techniques. I’m surprised that Forces don’t have this ability; it’s a bit on the Ragnarok Online style, but allows for more freedom on deciding whether to go overkill on a monster, or use only what’s absolutely needed in order to get the job done.

You’re probably wondering why I neglected skills; this is because Hunters already have the ability to decide whether or not to finish their combo beyond the first hit. They won’t get this luxury one bit. Rangers do though, since they only shoot once and sometimes Rangers do need to save up on ammo, at the cost of damage potential.

http://phantasystaruniverse.jp/news/wis/?mode=view&id=109

We apologize for this great and continued inconvenience.
In the process of implementing the planned content updates, serious problems were encountered.
Due to these events, we will be postponing the update.
We will make an announcement tomorrow October 13, with new information regarding the update.

If it were up to me, I’d do the following:

1. Have a test server running at all times alongside live server; if test server checks out with new content/changes, put it on live server. Then I can guarantee 2-hour maintenances.
2. Use SQL server with relation tables for shops. Searches would run a lot faster compared to using .txt files for shops.
3. Look over the algorithm used for handling users playing all at once.

If SEGA of America hired programmers to work on the PSU database/server stuff I’d join in right away. It’s quite clear SEGA of Japan is incompetent when it comes to programming for a PC environment, let alone the server/database itself.

I fear for people who play the Xbox 360 version coming up soon… if it’s being programmed by SEGA of America, you guys may have better luck. Otherwise, prepare for the worst…

And my Partner Card list is now 45 people big, not including Hyuuga’s NPC card. Here’s the list to prove it:

uhawww’s translation follows this post.

http://phantasystaruniverse.jp/news/wis/?mode=view&id=35

“On September 3rd, we halted server operations.
This report (@Sept 5, 11pm JST) concerns the reopening of the Network servers.

As previously announced, we will be reopening the game servers for Phantasy Star Universe tomorrow evening (Sept. 6). As also noted previously, almost immediately after the servers were opened, there were reports of network stability issues, and as the population increased, we saw a congruent increase in character data failure reports. We have verified the server and character errors, and through an extended overhaul of the network system, have hopefully rectified it.

We then came to determine how best to proceed into the future. Unfortunately, the possibility of the introduction of game balance issues (*If people exploited the errors before the rollback data was saved) has forced us to enact a complete initialization of the Network data. In effect, we will have to wipe all characters, equipment, items, partner cards, and etc. prior to reinitializing the system.

Furthermore, as noted in the server stoppage and server testing announcements, adjustments in any and all scopes of server and character data may be enacted in the process of maintaining the integrity and playability of the game.

We apologize again for any inconvience this may cause. We have been attacking the network problems with full force and we ask for your cooperation and suport once the servers reopen.

For further information, please refer to the previous announcements regarding the server stoppage.”

Now we know why Gendou is crazy.

It’s Kabuto! Oh wait… Mushiking, anyone?

Flourescent lightbulbs for weapons, anyone?

1. Rollback/reset on Sept. 6 (looks like reset? not sure on this one, no real confirmation people)
2. Lots of server testing throughout September, rollbacks will happen as necessary to maintain balance
3. 30-day Guardians’ License will be reset on Oct. 1

And thus, we have the Open Beta we were supposed to have. Well, I’m content with that. At least they’re honest and realize they’ve screwed this one up miserably. For now I guess I’ll be S-Ranking all of the Free Missions and Story Missions at this time… Chapter 5 is a bit harsh though on this sort of endeavor. ^^;;

uhawww’s translation follows:

To everyone,
We thank you for purchasing Phantasy Star Universe.
We realize the sudden ternimation of the game server for Network play was a great inconvenience to you all, and again, we apologize. We continue to work out the server and character issue that have arrisen since the game’s release, and we have posted all of our available resources to bring the situation under control. Concerning the reopening of the Network Mode server, we issue the following report.

-September 6: Reopening the Network Mode Service for normal use to the players.

-Throughout the month of September, we will monitor the game’s operation and immediately tackle any problem that may arise.

-October 1: Official service will restart. All players will have their free month renewed (Ending November 1)

-September 6: Reopening the Network Mode Service for normal use to the players.

We will have the problems with charater data and universe/My Room access repaired by this time. Please realize that due to load, you may have problems with Login, My Room, or disconnections between 9pm and 1am (JST). There is also the chance for other unexpected troubles during this time. We ask for your patience and understanding, and please report any issue to our inquiry site.

-Throughout the month of September, we will monitor the game’s operation and immediately tackle any problem that may arise.

During September, we will be performing intense root cause analysis and verification of the both the cause of these failures, and our fixes for them. We ask that you make use of Network Mode to assist us to this end. Furthermore, if the need arises, we will be prepared to enact rollbacks. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, however we do not forsee this happening on a frequent basis.

-October 1: Official service will restart. All players will have their free month renewed (Ending November 1)

Incumbent upon the forseen success of our tests, all players who have registered their game key will have their free 30 day period reset.

Temporary change to SEGAlink

Until the official service begins, you will no longer be able to purchase Guardian Licenses (Though you may still register your game key to play if you purchase the game after this point). All customers who have registered their Credit Card information with SEGAlink will have official correspondance sent via mail. You will not be billed until the end of the official service’s first 30 day cycle.

To those of you who have enjoyed Phantasy Star Universe, both online and off, we realize this is disheartening news. All of the staff members here are suffering. We have gotten many comments about these transpirings, both positive and negative. We will continue to build upon, change, and construct the PSU service. This is a promise from us all. We implore you to assist us as best you can, in inquiry, comment, and by playing through September. Any and all information will be posted to the official site.

Again, we ask for your understanding, cooperation, and forgiveness.