PS0 DS Wi-Fi Multiplayer Visual Chat options

Due to myself being a major doodler as well as an avid gamer, I pretty much squealed in delight when I first read about the use of Visual Chat as a main form of communication in the latest Phantasy Star online game series.

Considering the popularity of the Nintendo DS (NDS) console and the recent surge of interest in Japanese Role-playing games (JRPGs), it would only be inevitable for game companies to utilize the Wi-Fi capabilities of the NDS to create games with online multiplayer options. SEGA, developer and publisher of the upcoming game Phantasy Star Zero (PS0), uses the Visual Chat technology of the NDS console to push the level of online communication within their game beyond text-only by allowing players to communicate using hand-drawn messages. At no extra cost outside of the console hardware price, players can talk to each other through the Nintendo Wi-Fi network by either typing or drawing using their stylus on their bottom NDS screen while enjoying the game. Their message will appear via pop-up bubbles on their character on the top screen in which all players currently in their party can see and reply to. Compared to previous online games on the NDS where the only form of communication utilized text only, the PS0 system of picture and text chat brings a bit more personalization and fun for the players when chatting through the game.


Nintendo DS, being one of the best-selling and easily affordable hand-held game console of all time, reigns high in terms of accessibility for game consoles. The NDS is also targeted for a much wider range of audience, so the console itself is designed to be simple with a large focus on the "touch" aspect of the stylus and drawing screen. PS0's visual chat communication system also sticks to the basic concept of "talking with pictures", and does not overcrowd the concept with more elaborate or redundant options.

Of course, the target market for this system is fairly limited, being mostly of interest to video game fans of the Phantasy Star game series. However, this may perhaps be the start of a new form of free communication between people who do not want to be limited only to text and voice as a means of interaction.

News article: http://ds.ign.com/articles/908/908999p1.html
Images courtesy of: http://www.rpgamer.com/