Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming to PlayStation 4 (Update)

Update:

Sega released a statement pertaining to the free-to-play MMORPG, Phantasy Star Online 2, on whether or not its recently announced PlayStation 4 version would be heading to North America and Europe.

A Sega representative contacted Kotaku to stomp out our hopes and dreams:

“SEGA is currently not planning to release the PS4 version of Phantasy Star Online 2 outside of Japan."

There you have it, folks. This statement also reminds us of how long overdue the PC and PS Vita versions of the game are. Considering that a PS4 release would've been a great way to introduce PSO2 to Western audiences, the chances of the MMORPG's PC and PS Vita launches in the West are dwindling.

Original Story:

Sega announced that its free-to-play MMORPG, Phantasy Star Online 2, is heading to PlayStation 4 in Japan. Unfortunately, there's still no word on its Western release.

Dengeki Online (via GameSpot) reports Sega announced during its ARCS Festival event that Phantasy Star Online 2 would be launching on PlayStation 4 next year. Phantasy Star Online 2 originally debuted for PC back in mid-2012. It also launched on PS Vita less than a year after its PC release. At the beginning of the year, we reported that a group of hardcore Phantasy Star fans are creating their own private, English-speaking servers since Sega has been so inactive about bringing the MMORPG to the West.

Sega also announced that a content update called 'Reborn: Episode 4' will be launching for the PS Vita and PC versions of the game. During the Tokyo Game Show convention next month (Sept. 19-20), Phantasy Star Online 2 will be available to play on the convention floor. The official North American and European versions of the MMORPG were expected to debut three years ago and have yet to launch without any explanations from Sega as to their delays.

Earlier this year, Sega of America announced that it was taking the company in a new direction, focusing on smartphone and PC games (PSO2 counts, right?). As the recent Sonic games haven't been doing as well as Sega hoped, it would make sense that they are on the wall about bringing over other major titles to the West. I was a big fan of Phantasy Star Online when it launched for the Dreamcast back in 2001, and it's a shame to hear that its sequel still isn't heading stateside.

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