The next live broadcast is set for April 9th at 21:00 JST. Phantasy Star Producer Satoshi Sakai along with Ichitaro Ai, Haruko Momoi, Atsuko Enomoto, will deliver the latest PSO2 news and gameplay footage.

PSO2 Broadcast 7 Highlights include:

• Over 120 minutes chocked full of the latest PSO2 news.
• Momoi and Ichitaro’s Sympathy Concert Report!
• The audience votes for the next Emergency Quest.
• The Character Voice Project isn’t over just yet! Will there be even more announcements ahead? Stay tuned!
• Live Gameplay footage and even more information!
• Presents for the audience!

Watch it here on Nico Nico Live!

On April 10th, the Vita version is getting its own set of changes.

Customize Any Key

• Change the control scheme to any button on the Vita.

Take Screenshots without the Interface

• You will now be able to take screenshots without the interface by pressing the select and start buttons together.
• You can continue to take screenshots with the interface by pressing the PS and start buttons at the same time.

Symbol Art Shortcut Function

• After opening the Chat Shortcut Menu, the L/R button switches between symbol art and chat shortcut lists.

Shortcut and AutoWord Editing

• When  entering shortcuts or auto words, press the Triangle button to open the detailed editor.
• The detailed editor is just like the chat entry screen allowing easier access to various chat features.

Change the order the chat log is displayed.

• A new setting in options displays chat entries from either the top or bottom.

PSO2 Episode 2

Phantasy Star Online 2 Episode 2 was announced at the Sympathy Concert last month. Sakai plans to show a teaser clip in the upcoming live broadcast. More announcements about Episode 2 will be gradually released at the Phantasy Star Thanks Festa events. But for now, Episode 2 plans to release with a new story and several new features.

Sympathy Concert Ebten Store

You can now purchase various goods sold at the Sympathy Concert in Sega’s Ebten Store!

Sympathy 2013 Original Tshirt
シンパシー2013 オリジナルTシャツ

Sympathy 2013 Original Scarf Towel
シンパシー2013 オリジナルマフラータオル

Original Nagisa Body Pillow Cover
オリジナル抱き枕カバー〈ナギサ〉

Original Wristband Little Wing Logo
オリジナルリストバンド〈リトルウィングロゴ

Original WristBand Arks Logo
オリジナルリストバンド〈アークスロゴ〉

April 10th Pre-Patch Manual Download

April 10th, 2013 Pre-Patch Manual Download by Synth

• Manual Patch

This week’s maintenance plans to add the new Dragon Altar field with brand new enemies like the Goronzoran and Dragon EX. In addition we’ll have new skills, the Easter lobby, Hatsune Miku and PSPo2 costumes, and the class level 60 cap.

This week’s maintenance will start one hour earlier.

Maintenance Times

• April 10th, 2013 @ 10:00 ~ 17:00 JST
• April 09th, 2013 @ 09:00 PM ~ 4:00 AM EST
• PSO2 Calendar

Game Versions

• PC Launcher: Version 01.07.00
• PC/Vita Client: ver. 1.0401.0
• Vita Application: ver.1.04

Patch Size

• PC:  1.5 GB (109MB if Pre-Patched)
• Vita: 1470MB

Phantasy Star Online 2 will be chock-full of collaborations this year with various games from SEGA’s franchises. First up, costumes from Shining Ark, Shining Blade, and Shining Hearts will make their PSO2 debut in May.

Sakuya

Panis Angelicus

Hayane Fubuki

Phantom Queen

Shining Series Collab Costumes in May

Sonic Lobby

Sonic Lobby in June!

7th Dragon 2020 II

Student Style Costume in June!

Notes from the PSo2 Broadcast (Currently Updating)

• Sympathy Concert CD will be on sale in September, it will come with the same promotional items given at the concert.
• Goronzoran and Dragon EX will have voices.
• Goronzoran summons Vol Dragon for a few seconds.
• Skill Tree reset items will be given to each character.
• The next Scratch is titled “Butler Maid Tea Time.” It comes with Not-Kuna’s costume, Samurai, and Taurus inspired items.
• Sakai equipped his “Hair Camo”
• Ichitaro fake grabbing Nagisa’s boobs
• On the Test Server, Lottie used Momoi’s voice.
• They are giving out a signed copy of P-SPEC 2
• Character voice project expanded.
• Extreme Quest in May. This is rumored to be the “Tower” quest but no details were given.
• A FUN Shop is coming soon.
• It’s time for this week’s Secret Campaign! Type “かまのぼり” in chat between now through April 17th’s maintenance to receive EXP+50% x5 and Koinobori accessory (carp streamer) at a later date.

Butler Maid Tea Time Scratch

[video by Manta]

 Phantasy Star Online 2: Code : Episode 2

• New Classes, New Planets, New Race!
• Beginning and End of the Arks
• The third type of Darkers
• Who are the Photoners?

[video by Manta]

PSO2 Extreme Quest

Shougai (a Japanese PSO fansite) believes Extreme Quests are the successors of the Time Attack Quest. Based on the video, the stages consists of “floor orders” which ask players to perform various activities like “Defeat 10 Enemies in 30 seconds” or ” Defeat De Malmoth in 180 seconds” or “Destroy 24 areas on Big Vardha.”

Everyone who clears the following client orders from Hans or Revelle during the campaign period will receive several items.

Campaign Period

• April 10th through April 17th, 2013

Target Client Orders

(1) Clear Revelle’s client order マイルドマイルド・マーダー・I “Mild Mild Murder 1″ by defeating (level 21+) 20 Micda and 8 Gawanda and you’ll receive:

• EXP+50% (x2)
• Meseta+50% (x4)

(2) Clear Hans client order 襲い来る悪意 “The Coming Malice” by defeating (level 34+) 60 Sil Sadinian, 20 Sol Sadinian, and 20 Sadinian and you’ll receive:

• Grind Success +10% (x2)
• Grind Risk Reduction (+1) (x2)
• Grinder (x20)

Prize Distribution Date

• April 24th, 2013
• Delivered to your Special Storage.

Easter Lobby

• April 10th through May 15th, 2013

Class Level

• Level Cap 60

Skill Tree

• New skills added to all classes.

New Field

• Dragon Altar

New Quests

• Free-field : 龍祭壇探索 Dragon Altar Investigation N:0 H:20 VH:40
• Arks Quest: 龍祭壇平定任務 Dragon Altar Subjugation Mission N:0 H:20 VH:40
• Arks Quest: ソル・ディランダール討伐 Subdue Sol Dirandal N:0 H:20 VH:40
• Arks Quest: ゴロンゾラン鎮圧 Subdue Goronzoran N:0 H:20 VH:40

Other New Stuff

• New Client Orders
• New Daily Orders
• New Team Orders
• New Interrupt Event

New Items

New Latent Abilities

• Added new Latent Abilities and added some to existing weapons.

AC Shop

• Added Sub-Palette Expansion Ticket

My Room Shop

• My Room Shop lineup updated

Other Changes

• Grind locked equipment in all menus of the Weapon Lab
• A confirmation window shows up when selling 7 star or higher items.
• PSN Online ID entry added to Arks Card
• Grind Risk item names have changed.
• 強化リスク減少（－１）> 強化リスク軽減（＋１）Grind Risk Reduction (+1)
• 強化リスク減少（保護）> 強化リスク軽減（完全）Grind Risk Reduction (Complete)
• Added the option to leave the party and return to the lobby from the Camp Ship.
• Emergency Trial chat shortcuts are enabled. Type <et1> <et2> or <et3> to say the currently active emergency trials.

Chat Window Changes

• Even if you hold the backspace key and erase every letter, the chat window will remain open.
• Once the chat entry field is empty, press the backspace button to close the window.
• When you press the down arrow key in the chat window, it will go to the last selected button underneath.
• By pressing the up arrow key when the cursor is selected on one of the buttons below the chat window, it will move up into the chat entry field.
• Reduced the amount the chatlog scrolls when the [page up] or [page down] button is pressed.

Lock-on Target Switch

• Added the choice to disable the right analog stick from switching targets in the options menu.

And even more changes

•  In the Arks Lobby, the overhead text will disappear for players in a party when they’re a certain distance apart. This also applies for NPCs as well. Other players’ overhead text will gradually fade out the farther away you are.
• Changed the initial cursor position at the Terms of Use window when the game starts.
• Lottie, Hilbert, the sales clerks for the Photon Drop, EXCube, and Pyroxene shops now have exclusive voices.
• The “Quest Quick Information” area displays the number of people participating in a quest.
• Increased the energy tank’s explosion damage in the latter half of the first area of Marathon Practice Lillipa.
• It will now display information about the selected Matter in the Matter Board selection screen.
• Added explanations for “Patty&Tiea” “Zig” Melphonseena”and “Gettemhult’s” location when progressing through the Matter Board.
• Changed the icon designs for Hunter’s “Guard” “Just Guard” “Guard Stance Poison” and “Guard Stance Burn.”
• Changed the icon designs for Gunner’s “Aerial Advance” and “Chain Finisher” skills.
• When you perform the Guard animation with the “Wing Spada” sword, the coat of arms will now face the front.
• The Enrollment History will display the creator of the team.

Enemy EXP Adjustments

• Made adjustments to the EXP correction when enemy levels are far apart by raising the minimum value. (Japanese players reported the minimum value is now 25% instead of 0%, which means it was corrected -75%)

Zonde Changes

• Adjusted the damage modifiers for Zonde

Client Order Changes

• Eased the difficulty for Ohza, Lisa, and Marlu’s Skill Point Client Orders.

Hunter Skill Adjustments

• Guard Stance and Guard Stance Up is now percentage based.
• Fury Stance, Fury Stance Up, and Fury Stance Up 2 are percentage based.
• Enemies prefer targeting warcry users.

These changes also apply to Guard Stance and Fury Stance related latent abilities

Skill Tree Changes

• Relaxed the skill points needed for Gear Type skills and Tool Mastery
• An All Skill Tree Reset Pass 全スキルツリー初期化パス was distributed to each character in the special storage box.

Emergency Quest Changes for Volcanic Guerrilas

• Removed the enclosing wall interrupt events making it easier to progress.
• Adjusted the maximum size of the area making it easier to meet other players.
• Adjusted the appearance rates for interrupt events and enemies.

Interrupt Event adjustments

• For some item collecting interrupt events, reduced the number of items you need to collect and reduced the range in which the items appear on the field if there’s too many players within the trial.

Scrolling Message Information

• After the April 10th maintenance, they have confirmed a bug where the HP Gauge and Character information show strange values. Players afflicted by this bug should perform a file check to see if this corrects the problem. Sega is aware and currently investigating this issue.

The Judgement Co– er… Melody on Stage Scratch will run from April 10th through May 15th, 2013. You can view the complete list of contents within this scratch at the official site.

初音ミク・レプカ Hatsune Miku Repca

ヴァルギリス Valgiris

ジャッジメントコート Judgement Coat

Ｎシュヴァンツ・ボディ  N Schwanz Body
Ｎシュヴァンツ・アーム N Schwanz Arm
Ｎシュヴァンツ・レッグ N Schwanz Leg
Ｎシュヴァンツセンサー N Schwanz Sensor

ロニアレディ・ボディ Ronia Lady Body
ロニアレディ・アーム Ronia Lady Arms
ロニアレディ・レッグ Ronia Lady Legs

ディヴァリースＦ・ボディ Divarius Frame Body
ディヴァリースＦ・アーム Divarius Frame Arms
ディヴァリースＦ・レッグ Divarius Frame Legs
ディヴァリースＦ・ヘッド Divarius Head

Revivals and Color Variations

• Melder CV
• Feeling Robe Snow
• Thousand Rim Steel
• Close Quarters Shadow
• Ionia Series
• Parted Short Pop 中分けショートボブ
• Lobby Action 26 (Dance 3) 追加ロビーアクション２６

Kana Hanazawa Female Voice 16

• 女性追加ボイス１６
• 女性Ｃ追加ボイス１６

Mai Kadowaki Female Voice 19

• 女性追加ボイス１９
• 女性Ｃ追加ボイス１９

Hiro Shimono Male Voice 13

• 男性追加ボイス１３
• 男性Ｃ追加ボイス１３

FUN Scratch

Music Disc

• Easter
• Rappy FEVER

Lobby Action

• 追加ロビーアクション３１ (pleasure)
• Please confirm lobby action in comments

On April 24th, 2013 Phantasy Star Online 2 will update with the second half of the Imperial Guardian update. Don’t expect to see too much content this time since it’s only a time attack and scratch update.

The next AC Scratch “Butler Maid Tea-Time” brings elegance and class to the ARKS with new outfits such as the “Pure Maid Dress” and the “Butler Tail Coat.” The scratch also includes two other styles, one with a more ‘fit’ design like Zelsius and Zamlord, while “Najin Series” and “Beluga Series” take on a mines inspired approach. 

レディバトラーコート Lady Butler Coat

.

ピュアメイドドレス Pure Maid Dress

バトラーテイルコート Butler Tail Coat

PSO2 : Code : Episode 2 Teaser

Here’s the higher quality teaser video that was shown in the Nico Nico Livestream. The BGM sounds like a national anthem, maybe it’s an anthem for the _____.

Vita Guides

The long overdue Vita Menu Guides are slowly adding up. This week’s focus is getting the Options Menu translated for yesterday’s update. You can comment below to request other menus for translations.

So yesterday there was an announcement that Fury Stance will be getting an R-ATK nerf. This happened because players discovered certain combinations of classes and skills which would have ultimately affected the game’s balance in the future. The Fury Stance nerf coming up in the next maintenance will only affect the R-ATK modifiers. This was very embarrassing for the development team, but they hope you understand that such changes have to occur to keep the game’s balance. So as an apology they will once again distribute an item that resets all skill trees.

As for PC players, you may have noticed your characters were showing up with the wrong stats. If this happens to you, please perform a file check at the launcher. In fact…

Launcher Update

• PC Launcher: Version 01.07.03

All PC players should update their launcher since a new version was released today.

The new time attack quest on the 24th will introduce a new gimmick called the “Wait-On Switch.” You can activate it by standing on top of the switch for a certain amount of time.

The Goronzoran and Vol Dragon appear in the time attack quest too.

And that’s not all, things will get pretty chaotic when three Dragonkin bosses appear further into the quest.

PSO2 Episode 2 plans to release this summer with new weapons, races, classes, fields, and many other new elements. Episode 2 news will start in June at the Thanks Festa.

At the Nico Nico Livestream, Sakai announced the Sympathy Concert CD will be released in September. It comes with a set of promotional items that were released at the event. As for those highly popular musical instruments,  they’re going to be available in a “FUN Shop” that’s coming in a future update.

Porori

As for today’s porori (which previously I would have thought to be a new field) is actually another Team Room Base. This is the Forest Base, which gives you a taste of some basic platforming.

This maintenance plans to fix Fury Stance and Guard Stance, everything else is up in the air at this point.

Game Versions

• PC Launcher: Version 01.07.03
• PC/Vita Client: ver. 1.0401.1
• Vita Application: ver.1.05

Patch Size

• PC:  28MB
• Vita: 21MB

Future Support List

The Extend Assist skill effects stop working.

The Extend Assist skill gets overwritten when other players (or mag trigger actions) cast shifta or deband. We plan to address this bug in the future.

The Launcher is not working properly.

After the Launcher update on 4/12, players have reported a bug where an error message pops up during the File Check operation. We recommend rebooting your PC and launching the game as administrator.

I’m unable to clear the Time Attack Quest “Marathon Practice: Lillipa” even after I defeat the Tranmizer enemy.

As a result of our investigation, we have found this bug shows up if you do not defeat a certain enemy during the quest. We plan to address this problem, but in the meantime, when you are in Area 1 B-3, you should try to defeat all enemies within the vicinity before moving on.

Everyone who clears the following client orders from Hans or Revelle during the campaign period will receive several items.

Campaign Period

• April 17th through April 24th, 2013

Target Client Orders

(1) Clear Revelle’s client order ブラック・スローター・II “Black Slaughter II” by defeating 12 Kartagot

• EXP+50% (x2)
• Rare Drop Boost+50% (x2)

(2) Clear Hans client order 天を覆いし青き王 ‘The Blue King Covers the Sky’ by defeating Quartz Dragon 5 times.

• Rare Drop Boost + 50% (x2)
• Grind Risk Reduction (+1) (x4)
• Grinder (x50)

Prize Distribution Date

• May 8th, 2013
• Delivered to your Special Storage

Add Friends and Play in a Party Campaign

Add three friends, form a party, and clear a quest to receive several items.

Campaign Period

• April 17th, through May 8th.

Qualifying Conditions

Players must qualify for all of the following conditions:

• (1) Have three or more friends on your friend list.
• (2) Form a party with two or more people and clear a quest.

Players who have added three or more friends before the campaign period will also qualify for the items.

You must form a party with two or more people, start the quest, then clear it to qualify.

If you form a party with players who are not registered as your friends, you will still qualify for this campaign. However, this does not apply to parties with only ‘Friend Partners’, or NPC ‘Partner Characters’.

Prize Distribution

• Three EXP+50%
• Can be picked up at the Visiphone early June.

This maintenance plans to add a new Dragon Altar Time Attack Quest with the “Wait On Switch” (or ‘weight on switch’ if we’re going by the scan..), and the Butler Maid Tea Time Scratch.

Game Versions

• PC Launcher: Version 01.07.03
• PC/Vita Client: ver. 1.0401.2
• Vita Application: ver.1.06

Patch Size

• PC:  35MB
• Vita: 24MB

An Unexpected Error Occurred

Around April 22nd at 16:30 JST, some players received,  “An unexpected error occurred” 想定外のエラーが発生しました message after launching the game. This error message went away around 20:15 JST. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you but this was a result of an nProtect GameGuard update. For everyone affected by this error message, please kindly send us your gameguard log files which are located within the “GameGuard” folder inside the PSO2 installation directory.

Email pso2log@sega.co.jp with the following information:

• All “.erl” files located within the GameGuard directory
• DirectX dxdiag log file
• The name of the Anti-Virus Software
• A description of the bug (in Japanese)

Please update gameguard to the latest version prior to sending your log files.  Attach all applicable files into a zip file no greater than 5MBs.

Arks Museum Character Portrait

It’s time for another round of the Arks Museum, and this time they’re collecting screenshots from Playstation Vita players. Screenshot entries chosen to appear in the Arks Museum Character Portrait Report will receive 1000 FUN, a thanks medal, and a 3 day my room pass. These will be sent to your special storage box at a later date.

Arks Museum [Character Portrait]

Entry Period

• April 24th through May 15th, 2013 @ 16:00 JST

Character Portrait Report

• Late June

What’s Character Portrait?

• Character Portrait is a Vita exclusive feature that allows you to take real life photographs with your Phantasy Star Online 2 character. Head to the Visiphone and select the last option ポートレート用データ保存 to save your current character into the Character Portrait feature.

1st Screenshot Criteria

• The first screenshot is the main entry for this event.
• You may use characters or NPC Partner characters saved to the Character Portrait feature.
• If a person is included within the photograph, avoid taking a picture where most of the person’s face and body can be seen.
• Since Sega can not bear the responsibility of a person who refuses their likeness to be photographed, one must gain consent from the individual themselves before submitting the photo for this event.
• You may opt to use chat bubbles or character poses within the screenshot itself.

2nd Screenshot Criteria

• The second screenshot must include the Player ID Name above your in-game character.

An example entry

Other Criteria

• Screenshot submitted must be original and not released to the public.
• Please avoid cropping the screenshot.
• The screenshot must be submitted as a JPG up to 1 MB in size.
• The image should be taken in landscape orientation.

You can submit your photographs here.

Spend that AC Campaign

Everyone who spends 100 AC during the campaign period will receive several prizes. In addition, everyone who spends 3000+ or 5000+ AC will get even more prizes.

Campaign Period

• April 24th through May 15th, 2013

Qualifying Conditions

(1) Spend 100 AC or more during the campaign period and receive:

• EXP+50% (x2)

(2) Spend 3000 AC or more during the campaign period and receive:

• Advance Capsule B (x10)
• Grind Success + 20% (x1)

(3) Spend 5000 AC or more during the campaign period and receive:

• Advance Capsule C (x20)
• Rare Drop Boost + 250% (x1)

Prize Distribution

• Mid-June
• Can be picked up at the Visiphone

Qualifying AC Conditions

Players can qualify for this campaign by spending AC in any of the following ways:

• Playing AC Scratch
• Purchasing an AC Scratch Ticket Bundle (11 AC Scratch)
• Purchasing an item in the AC Shop
• Purchasing a Scape Doll upon death
• Using the AC features in the Makeup Counter
• Using AC to buy extra skill trees
• Using AC to reset skill trees
• Purchasing a new character (2nd+)
• Transferring Ships

Deleting characters who have met the conditions for this campaign will not receive the prizes.

Emergency Quest Campaign -9-

Everyone who clears the emergency quest “Approaching Dark Arms” will receive several items.

Campaign Period

• April 24th through May 8th’s Maintenance

Campaign Qualifications

The emergency quest must be completed at least once on any difficulty to receive the following:

• Advance capsule c (x4)
• Grind Risk Reduction (+1) (x2)
• Grinder (x99)

Advance Notice

To give you a head start, each emergency quest will appear on all ships at the following times and dates.

• April 26 @ 20:00 JST
• April 27 @ 23:00 JST
• April 28 @ 14:00 JST
• April 29 @ 20:00 JST
• April 30 @ 23:00 JST
• May 2 @ 14:00 JST
• May 3 @ 20:00 JST
• May 4 @ 23:00 JST
• May 5 @ 14:00 JST
• May 6 @ 20:00 JST
• May 7 @ 23:00 JST

Item Distribution

• May 15th Maintenance
• Delivered to your Special Storage

Emergency Quest Campaign -8-

Everyone who clears the emergency quests, “Huge Mech Awakening (Big Vardha)” or “Subdue Fang Banther” will receive several rewards.

Campaign Period

• April 24th through May 8th’s Maintenance

Campaign Qualifications

The emergency quest must be completed at least once on any difficulty to receive the following:

• Advance capsule b (x10)
• Grind Success +10% (x2)
• Grinder (x99)

Advance Notice

To give you a head start, each emergency quest will appear on all ships at the following times and dates.

Big Vardha EQ -Advance Notice-

• April 24 @ 20:00 JST
• April 26 @ 23:00 JST
• April 27 @ 14:00 JST
• April 28 @ 20:00 JST
• April 29 @ 23:00 JST
• April 30 @ 14:00 JST
• May 2 @ 20:00 JST
• May 3 @ 23:00 JST
• May 4 @ 14:00 JST
• May 5 @ 20:00 JST
• May 6 @ 23:00 JST
• May 7 @ 14:00 JST

Fang Banther EQ -Advance Notice-

• April 24 @ 23:00 JST
• April 26 @ 14:00 JST
• April 27 @ 20:00 JST
• April 28 @ 23:00 JST
• April 29 @ 14:00 JST
• April 30 @ 20:00 JST
• May 2 @ 23:00 JST
• May 3 @ 14:00 JST
• May 4 @ 20:00 JST
• May 5 @ 23:00 JST
• May 6 @ 14:00 JST
• May 7 @ 20:00 JST

Item Distribution

• May 15th Maintenance
• Delivered to your Special Storage

Client Order Campaign 6

During the campaign period, clear the following client orders from Klotho or Franka to receive special items!

Campaign Period

• April 24th through May 8th, 2013 @ 11:00 JST

Target Client Orders

(1) or (2) or (3) Clear any of Klotho’s client order まずは気軽に力試しIV・V・VI A Carefree Quiz IV, V, or VI to receive:

• Advance Capsule a (x5)
• EXP+50% (x2)

(4) Clear Franka’s client order ソル・ディランダールの肉の調達 Acquire Sol Dirandal Meat by picking up 20 yellow box drops from Sol Dirandal in Altar quests to receive:

• Advance Capsule a (x10)
• EXP+50% (x2)
• Grind Risk Reduction (+2)

Prize Distribution

• May 15th @ Maintenance
• Sent to your special storage box

Today’s update!

New Time Attack Quest

• 突破演習：龍祭壇 Breakthrough Practice : Dragon Altar

New Client Orders

New Fun Scratch Items

ロング三つ編み Long Braids

バレットベルト Bullet Belt

ゴシックレースポーチ Gothic Lace Pouch

These are only a small portion of the items contained within this update.

New AC Scratch

ゼルシウスヘッドギア Zelsius Headgear

シルクハット Silkhat

＊バヴ・ザ・タウラス Bav the Taurus (Knuckle Weapon Camo)*

These are only a small portion of the items contained within this update.

New Net Cafe Shop Lineup

Balance Adjustments

• Goron Zoran: Relaxed the balance by adjusting the HP and downtime after the crystals are destroyed. 
• Increased the set effect stats for Chrome type equipment.

On May 15tth, PSO2 will introduce new content intended for high level players called “Extreme Quests.”  Information provided by ShougaiPSO (a Japanese fansite)  as found in Dengeki and Famitsu magazines.

Extreme Quests

• Available to players LV50+
• You have to use an item called “Extreme Pass” to play the quest.
• You can obtain one pass a day for free at the quest counter.

Extreme Quest Setup

• As of 5/15, there’s 1 ~ 40 Floors.
• Each extreme pass lets you play 1~5 floors.
• When you clear the first five floors, you can play the next set of floors. (Floors 6 ~ 10)
• You can replay the floors you’ve previously cleared though this will still consume an Extreme Pass.

Enemy Condition

• Each floor applies certain conditions to enemies.
• Example conditions include “Increased Strength” and “Increased Resistance: (Lightning Techs)”

Floor Orders

• Each floor has set goals called “Floor Orders”
• For example: Defeat 10 enemies within 30 seconds / Defeat De Malmoth within 180 seconds / Destroy 24 parts of Big Vardha
• When you achieve this goal, you receive “bonuses” (details below)

Extreme Quest Rewards

• There are several rewards including new 11 star weapons.
• The quest has separate drop tables and drop items
• You can acquire brand new 11 star weapons here.
• Items you pick up are temporarily stored to a “rewards list”
• You can choose the items you wish to keep from the “rewards list,” once the quest is cleared. However, the items you can choose from is based on the score you received.
• For example, if you achieved a bad score, it could allow you to take only one “type” of item.
• You could take “99 grinders” as one “type” of item.
• Clearing floor orders increases the the number of items you can take back with you.

The Butler Maid Tea Time scratch is available until May 29th, 2013.

ピュアメイドドレス Pure Maid Dress
ピュアメイドドレス紅 Red Pure Maid Dress
ピュアメイドドレス桜 Pink Pure Maid Dress
ピュアメイドドレス空 Sky Pure Maid Dress
ピュアメイドドレス夜 Night Pure Maid Dress
ピュアメイドドレス陽 Sun Pure Maid Dress

レディバトラーコート Lady Butler Coat
レディバトラーコート紅 Red Lady Butler Coat
レディバトラーコート桜 Pink Lady Butler Coat
レディバトラーコート空 Sky Lady Butler Coat
レディバトラーコート月 Moon Lady Butler Coat
レディバトラーコート雪 White Lady Butler Coat
…
バトラーテイルコート Butler Tail Coat
バトラーテイルコート栗 Brown Butler Tail Coat
バトラーテイルコート紅 Red Butler Tail Coat
バトラーテイルコート空 Sky Butler Tail Coat
バトラーテイルコート葉 Green Butler Tail Coat
バトラーテイルコート雪 White Butler Tail Coat

ゼルシウス Zelsius

ザムロード Zamlord

ナジン・シリーズ Najin Series
ナジン・ボディ Najin Body
ナジン・アーム Najin Arms
ナジン・レッグ Najin Legs
ナジン・ヘッド Najin Head

ベルガ・シリーズ Beluga Series
ベルガ・ボディ Beluga Body
ベルガ・アーム Beluga Arms
ベルガ・レッグ Beluga Legs
ベルガ・ヘッド Beluga Head

Please suggest a better name for the Taurus weapon Camo. 

Eri Kitamura Extra Male Voice 12

• 男性追加ボイス１２
• 男性Ｃ追加ボイス１２

Kumiko Watanabe Extra Female Voice 14

• 女性追加ボイス１４
• 女性Ｃ追加ボイス１４

Kana Ueda Extra Female Voice 27

• 女性追加ボイス２７
• 女性Ｃ追加ボイス２７

Eri Kitamura Extra Female Voice  12

• 女性追加ボイス１２
• 女性Ｃ追加ボイス１２

追加ロビーアクション３３ Lobby Action 33 (Agony)

• Please confirm lobby actions in comments

Color Variations and Revivals

• ハートブレイカー夜 Night Heartbreaker
• ハートブレイカー紅 Red Heartbreaker
• フラメガッシュ雅 Elegant Flamegash
• フラメガッシュ鋼 Steel Flamegash
• タイガーピアス Tiger Pierce
• ハートブレイカー Heart Breaker
• ジャン・ドゥ Jyan Do

FUN Scratch

Lobby Action Revival

• 追加ロビーアクション１６ (Bed 1)

By The Way

Aside from Shining Hearts, we’re getting Crouch Mueller costumes May 15th.

Servers will be taken offline on April 26th for a few hours.

Special Maintenance

• April 26th @ 8:00 ~ 11:00 JST
• April 25th @ 7:00 PM ~ 10:00 PM EST
• PSO2 Calendar / (Convert)

Maintenance Contents

• Make Adjustments to the servers.

Support List

This section will be moved to a new post once it’s available.

I want to be able to read about campaigns from within the game.

• Regarding this, we’re going to implement an “announcements” feature that will display information when you log into the game. This will be added in a future update.

Concerning Photon Water…

• When receiving effects from the photon tree, a portion of the photon water is consumed by members who have left the team. We plan to correct this bug in the future.

I want to be able to search for weapons with unlocked latent abilities in My Shop

• As for this, we will add a checkbox that allows you to search if a weapon has a latent ability unlocked or not.

Did you know this update is no longer called “Phantasmal Tower”? Oh well!

Extreme Quests

Extreme Quests are VR simulations intended for advanced players to test their skills under harsh situations. Extreme Quests are available at level 50+ compromising of enemies starting from level 60+. Extreme quests feature a combination of bosses and enemies that won’t normally appear together in other quests.

In order for players to challenge this quest, they’ll need an Extreme Pass. Every 22 hours, you can receive 1 Extreme Pass at the Quest Counter. Extreme Quests are set up in 5 stage increments. Initially 40 stages will be available upon release, but they plan to add more stages in the future.

There are technical conditions to each stage called “Stage Orders”  allowing players to attempt various challenges.  For example, by “defeating the designated enemy within the time limit” makes the next stage slightly easier and raises the number of items you can bring back with you once the quest is cleared.

Items are stored in a “virtual state” and you can retrieve them once the quest is cleared. However, the number of items you can take with you is based upon the quest clear results. Only here can you receive brand new 11 star weapons and units. Even if a rare item did not drop for you, you’ll eventually be able to obtain one if you keep clearing the quests.

Limited Time Event

May 15th through June 12th

A high chance of showers are expected in the new forest Emergency Quest  titled “With Rain and Wind.” In this quest, you’ll have a much easier time encountering the mysterious Mr. Umblla.  Other bosses like Fang Banther and Chrome Dragon can also appear as well.

フログ・ラッピー Frog Rappy

バブラッピーガン BubbRappy Gun

During this time, the Frog Rappy will drop the BubbRappy Twin Machine Gun. And of course, Xie will be back giving out client orders for a limited time.

Team Features Expanded

森林拠点 Forest Base

Put your athletic skills to the test in the new Forest Team Room Base. Players can jump from stump to stump, carefully traverse the narrow bridge, and slide down a water slide to find meseta and items placed in various locations around the base.

Choose from a new selection of NPCs for your team room with more refined characters like the butler or maid, or take the comical route with NPCs in the Rappy or Lillipan suit.

Mag Level Cap

Now you can level up your mag to level 175.

Multiple Emergency Quests

In this update, several emergency quests in the same region have a chance to show up at the same time. For example, if the announcement is for city areas, the “City Mop-Up,” “City Recapture,” and Falz Hunar emergency quest can now appear at the same time.

FUN Shop

You can now use your FUN Points to purchase items directly at the FUN shop.

Shining Girls Festa Scratch

サクヤmodeN・レプカ / Sakuya ModeN Repca

Let’s celebrate even more female outfits (as usual) with the Shining Girls Festa Scratch. The Shining series collaborates with PSO2 with new costumes including the”Panis Repca,” “Sakuya ModeN Repca,” “Urayukihime Repca,” and “PhantomQ Repca” along with their hairstyles and accessories. Alternatively, players can dress up like Crouch from Phantasy Star Portable 2.

パニス・レプカ Panis Repca

裏雪姫・レプカ Urayukihime Repca

ファントムQ・レプカ Phantom Queen Repca

クラウチ・レプカ  Crouch Repca

 Other Updates

• You can read the latest announcements (campaigns, etc.,) when you log into the game.
• A checkbox will be added to My Shop search to see whether an item has a latent ability unlocked.
• Time attack ranking targeted quests will have increased EXP and clear rewards.
• Decreased Symbol Art Load
• Friend List, Team Command, Mail in the community menu will have notification symbols for new entries.
• A fix to the photon water bug from members who dropped out of the team.

Players can now download a portion of the May 15th update ahead of schedule. This update is split up into several parts and will be distributed on the following days.

May 15th Pre-Patch Schedule

• May 8th @ 11:00 JST (724MBs)
• May 10th @ 15:00 JST (563MBs)
• May 13th @ 15:00 JST (678Mbs)

Weekly Maintenance

• 11:00 ~ 17:00 JST
• 10:00 PM ~ 4:00 AM EST

Everyone who clears the Desert Advance Quest during the campaign period will receive various prizes.

Campaign Period

• May 8th through May 15, 2013

Campaign Prizes

• Advance Capsule c (×10)
• EXP+50% (×2)
• Rare drop boost+50% (×3)

Prize Distribution Date

• May 22nd @ Maintenance
• Delivered to the special storage box

Client Order Campaign 7

Everyone who clears the following client orders during the campaign period will receive several prizes.

Campaign Period

• May 8th through May 15th, 2013

Campaign Qualifications

(1) By clearing Revelle’s ブラック・スローター・IV | Black Slaughter 4 client order you will receive:

• Rare Drop Boost+50% (×2)
• Grind Risk Reduction (+1) (×4)
• Grinders (×30)

(2) By clearing Hans’ 黒き鋏音打ち鳴りて | Sound of Scissors client order you will receive:

• Photon Sphere (×2)
• Grind Risk Reduction (+1) (×2)
• Grinders (×20)

Campaign Prizes

• May 22nd, 2013 @ Maintenance
• Delivered to your special storage box