Now that we’re in the waning days of January, gamers are looking ahead to what’s coming in February. We’ve got good news today for those who’ve been waiting literally for years for Phantasy Star Online 2 to make its way westward: The first round of beta testing is slated to begin on February 7th! How’s that for cheery Tuesday news even if it’s coming nearly eight years after the game’s launch in Japan?
There are, however, a few caveats to keep in mind. The first round of beta testing will only be available to players in the Xbox Insiders program. Only Insiders from the United States and Canada will be accepted as part of the tester pool.
Should you meet those requirements, you can sign up on the Xbox Insider Hub and cross your fingers that you’ll be selected. Beta testing will take place on the following schedule:
- Starts: Friday, February 7th at 5 PM (PST)
- Ends: Saturday, February 8th at 11:59 PM (PST)
- Pre-loading: Monday, February 3rd
During testing, players will be offered specific quests to test in groups of up to a dozen players. “These challenges happen at specific times throughout the day, so make sure to check the schedule”. Beta testers will also be able to take home some special rewards once the game launches simply for logging in and/or taking part in the Urgent Quests. Most interesting, players will also be able to watch concerts live while playing. “Quna” will be taking to the stage on February 8th with a 15-minute set that will offer players some neat buffs.
For those looking for more information about the game, you’re in luck: The official site will open on Friday, February 7th at 10:00 am Pacific / 1:00 pm Eastern. It will be a one-stop-shop for learning everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the game before it finally launches in the west.
Check out all of the details on the Phantasy Star Online 2 blog on the Xbox site.
