Sonic Team: The Phantasy Star Interview

Get the latest Sega happenings and PSU details direct from Sonic Team, as we offer this detailed interview with Takao Miyoshi. Plus: Phantasy Star, Next-Gen?

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Kikizo: Could you please describe the process of PSU development right now? For example, how many people are on the team, what is your exact role, how does the process come together?

Miyoshi: The PSU project started with 10 people and now, it's over 100 people. But I can't be sure, because there are many people working for the network and as tool some kind of indirect development of people is there. I am now working on overseeing the project, the whole thing - design, artwork, as well as PR, as a producer.

Kikizo: The music in Phantasy Star has always been very popular. The theme to Phantasy Star Universe has been well received. How do you find working with Sega's internal sound studio and do you have to outsource other sound work outside of Sega?

Miyoshi: Basically, we are using the internal sound staff, but for PSU we have the co-operation with outside people in an orchestra and some musicians working worldwide.

Kikizo: In terms of the design of the game, do you consult with SOA and SOE on the content of the game? Or is it pretty much your decision and the decision of Naka-san?

Miyoshi: Really I just consult them on the development of my titles. I do have quite a lot of communication with SOA and SOE regarding the ideas for things like character design, gameplay and other network issues. SOA and SOE sometimes give their own input.

Kikizo: With GameCube we've seen a lot of games that link up with the Game Boy Advance or the DS. Does Phantasy Star Universe use PS2 to PSP crossover? Is that something that interests you?

Miyoshi: PSU unfortunately doesn't have such features, but I am certainly interested in the connectivity between PS2 and PSP.

Kikizo: The Phantasy Star games have had a very long history and they are all very highly regarded by fans. Are you ever afraid that the game might not live up to fans' expectations?

Miyoshi: Well, I think that PSU, as a new game in the Phantasy Star series, should inherit the good points from the old series, while at the same time offering new gameplay, in order to offer players something creative and new.

Kikizo: How much has Naka-san been involved with Phantasy Star Universe?

Miyoshi: He is involved as Chief Producer. Naka-san looks over the whole thing for PSU. He occasionally checks things out and gives instruction for future direction.

Kikizo: Have you been involved in any of the next-generation demos and trailers that Sega has put together recently that first showed at E3?

Miyoshi: I saw the demos, but I am not involved with any of our own technical demos at this time.

Kikizo: Do you think that Sega is a company that is going to be strong in the next generation?

Miyoshi: I believe so. I certainly want to have a strong Sega again.

Kikizo: Is it true that a decision was made within Sega that any IP that Sega owns that traditionally has not made money - for example NiGHTS, Burning Rangers, and so on - that those IPs would be given to other, perhaps Western, developers to make profitable, whilst the IP that does make money - like Sonic, Virtua Fighter, and so on - stays with Sega? How true is this?

Miyoshi: Personally I have never heard about this. I was originally working on Burning Rangers. We have a good feel for our own games. I am not sure. But it's not easy to accept outside people on our titles. I want to work on it!

Kikizo: So you would still prefer to work on things like Burning Rangers 2 or whatever, if they were going to be made?

Miyoshi: Yes, I hope so.

Kikizo: Well, Miyoshi-san, thank you very much for your time and we wish you the best of luck with Phantasy Star Universe.

Phantasy Star Universe is scheduled for release in Japan on December 30. North American and European releases are scheduled for Spring 2006. See here for our most recent hands-on preview with PSU.

Stay tuned to Kikizo for another huge Sega interview next week, as we bring you the latest from vital (and downright cool) Sega development leader, Toshihiro Nagoshi.

Kikizo Staff
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