25 years ago Sega figured out the internet with Phantasy Star Online
Sega's journey into online gaming culminated in the release of Phantasy Star Online in December 2000. This game marked a significant milestone in the evolution of online console gaming, following years of experimentation with internet connectivity. Despite earlier failures, Sega's dedication to leveraging the internet ultimately led to a successful online RPG that influenced future gaming.
- ▪Sega attempted to integrate online gaming into its consoles for over a decade before Phantasy Star Online's release.
- ▪The Sega MegaNet was the company's first online service, launched in 1990, but struggled to gain traction.
- ▪Phantasy Star Online became a foundational title for online console gaming, showcasing Sega's commitment to internet connectivity.
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25 years ago Sega finally figured out the internet with Phantasy Star Online 2000's online RPG followed a decade of Sega trying to make online gaming work on its consoles. By Marc Normandin | December 31, 2025 | 3:00pm Image: Sega Games Features Sega Copy to clipboard × Copy Link Facebook X Reddit Bluesky 0 For almost the entire time that Sega was in the console business, they were trying to make the internet work for them. A search for some kind of advantage over the competition combined with a desire to leverage new, more powerful technologies—a trait the company had developed in the arcades, where they first found prominence—led them to the online world.
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