PlayStation 2 online functionality

Various logos used to denote online-capable gaming on PS2 games

The PlayStation 2 home video game console has had the ability for online gaming and other Internet capabilities. Games that were online-compatible could make use of the feature using a network adapter that plugged into the system's Expansion Bay (the adapter is integrated into the hardware on later "slimline" models) and an Internet connection, which connected to one of Sony Computer Entertainment's or a third-party's network, depending on region. The last official online game server was shut down in 2016 by Square Enix; some games continue to have online functionality via unofficial fan-made servers.

Overview

Instead of having a unified online service like Xbox Live, online multiplayer on the PS2 was the responsibility of the game publisher and was run on third-party servers. However, later PS2 online games required the console to be authorized through Sony's Dynamic Network Authentication System (DNAS) before connecting to the server. Unofficial servers also exist which could be connected by setting up the DNS settings to connect to an unofficial DNS server.

Some games also allowed online gameplay using a dial-up connection (not available on all models), or LAN play by connecting two network adapters/slimline consoles together directly with an Ethernet cable or through the same router network. Most games, especially later ones, require the use of a broadband internet connection. The company also attempted in Japan to market the console as a set-top box for other forms of entertainment using its PlayStation BB service.

Adapter

See also: PlayStation 2 Expansion Bay

A PS2 Network Adaptor shown by itself (top) and inserted to a console (North American Dial-up/LAN/broadband version; bottom)

For the original models (non-"Slimline") of the PlayStation 2 console, a network adapter was needed to play online and use a hard drive. All versions of the Network Adaptor provide an Ethernet port, while some North American versions also featured a phone-line port for dial-up connection. The newer slimline versions, however, have an Ethernet port (and in some early North American models, a phone-line port) built into them, making the Network Adaptor unnecessary and hard drive use nearly impossible, as well as ruling out any need to keep the network adapter in production. In Japan, the network adapter was originally built for the PCMCIA slot that appeared in early Japanese revisions of the PlayStation 2 hardware.

Slim model with network adapter embedded

Playing online games requires that users set up the system's network connection configuration, which is saved to a memory card. This can be done with the Network Startup Disc that came with the network adapter or using one of the many games that had the utility built into them, such as Resident Evil Outbreak, to set up the network settings. The new slimline PlayStation 2 came with a disc in the box by default. The last version of the disc was Network Startup Disc 5.0, which was included with the newer SCPH-90004 model released in 2009.

Services and lifetime

In Japan, online functionalities were already rolled out in its first year in the form of third-party 56k modems. Sun Corporation for example released the OnlineStation, a USB external modem with its EnjoyMagic software providing web and email to customers.^[1] EGBrowser was another third-party web browser for the PlayStation 2 released in 2001 for use with any compatible modem.^[2] SquareSoft also released a modem called PS2GATE around September 2001, to connect to its PlayOnline service.^[3] Aiwa also released a modem preloaded with software called NetFront.^[4] Some games such as Age of Empires II (originally a PC game) could be played online using a USB modem, and this title specifically could also make use of USB keyboard and mice on a PlayStation 2.^[5] The official network adapter featuring both broadband Ethernet and a 56k modem was released in Japan on July 19, 2001, on the same day as Final Fantasy X.^[6]

Sony Computer Entertainment itself launched the PlayStation BB service in Japan in April 2002 using a broadband internet connection. It also included a software service called Broadband Navigator which users to download PlayStation 2 software titles, download media and play music and video using RealPlayer software, and instant messaging.^[7] The broadband adapter was initially rented and included a hard disk, but it was later available to buy in retail stores.^[8]

In North America, the online services launched on August 27, 2002.^[9] The initial online games at launch were SCE's SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs, Twisted Metal: Black Online, NFL GameDay 2003 and FreQuency Online, Sega's NFL 2K3, EA Sports's Madden NFL 2003, and Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.^[10] The adapter costed initially US$40 and included a start-up disc and a demo disc with two playable games, Madden NFL 2003, and FreQuency Online. It launched ahead of competitor Xbox Live, which wouldn't launch until November 15 that year.^[11] SCEA had also partnered with AOL (to include Netscape web, AIM chat, email and other Internet services), RealNetworks, Macromedia (to include Flash) and Cisco.^[12] Despite the advanced take-up of broadband in the United States compared to Japan, Sony decided to still include a 56k modem for narrowband dial-up customers.^[12]

Testing for online services in Europe rolled out in the spring of 2003. SCEE provided a service named Central Station with the setup discs that contained regular news of online services and provided a single sign-in username.^[13][14] Testing in Germany began on April 24; the test package included a network adapter, a hard disk drive, the Network Access Disc, a copy of SOCOM: US Navy SEALs and a USB headset.^[15] Central Station or "Network Gaming" launched on June 11 in Britain, July 2 in France,^[16] August 13 in Sweden,^[17] September in the Netherlands.^[18] In Europe, online services on the PlayStation 2 required DSL broadband internet like Xbox Live required.^[19] Hardware: Online Arena was developed and released as an exclusive online-only game in Europe in 2003.

Discontinuation

On August 31, 2012, SCEA shut down the servers for the SOCOM games after ten years.^[20]

The last official online server, which was for Final Fantasy XI, was ultimately shut down on March 31, 2016,^[21] with the DNAS following it a couple of days later on April 4, indirectly shutting down several remaining unofficial servers, with the exception of ones that support non-DNAS PS2 titles such as Tribes: Aerial Assault and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Despite the DNAS shutdown, several fan created servers still exist; most require a DNAS workaround to connect, with some exceptions such as Call of Duty 3 and Need For Speed: Underground.^[22]

Compatible games

Main article: List of PlayStation 2 online games

This logo was shown on the covers of the early online PS2 games in North America that supported a dial-up connection

Logo shown on early HDD-supporting games in Japan

Capcom vs. SNK 2 was the first ever video game to offer cross-platform play between two competing video game consoles, followed in 2002 by Final Fantasy XI which allowed connections between the Playstation 2 and personal computers.^[23] SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs, released in August of the same year, was one of the first video games that allowed voice chat on a console.

'With Net Play' on PAL covers

PAL games that supported online gaming display a banner on the cover near the top stating (in English-language releases): WITH NETWORK PLAY (later WITH NET PLAY). North American games feature an "Online" icon in the lower right corner of the cover; on games that do not support dial-up connectivity, "broadband only" is also found on the logo.

LAN tunneling

Over time, most game servers have been shut down. However, computer programs such as XBSlink, SVDL and XLink Kai allow users to achieve online play for some PS2 games by using a network configuration that simulates a worldwide LAN.

See also

• PlayStation Network
• List of PlayStation 2 online games

References

1. Ahmed, Shahed (November 8, 2000). "Sun-Denshi Discusses PS2 Modem". GameSpot. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
2. I. G. N. Staff (April 12, 2001). "Planetweb and Ergosoft Release PS2 Web Browser". IGN. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
3. "PS2 Modem von Squaresoft: USB-Modem für Playstation 2 im September ..." Gameswelt (in German). July 22, 2001. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
4. "アイワ、PS2用USBモデム「PV-PS200」を7月に発売". game.watch.impress.co.jp. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
5. ASCII. "東京ゲームショウ2001春 Vol.2 (1/2)". ASCII.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 23, 2024.
6. Editor-in-Chief, Tom Bramwell Former (July 4, 2001). "PS2 HDD out in July?". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved October 23, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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8. "PlayStation looks to the future". February 14, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
9. "Sony confirms PS2 online plans". theregister.co.uk. August 15, 2002. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
10. Perry, Douglass C. (August 16, 2002). "The PS2 Gets Wired". IGN. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
11. "Sony's PlayStation 2 Joins the Internet". Retrieved November 14, 2024.
12. "Electronic Entertainment Expo 2001現地レポート". game.watch.impress.co.jp. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
13. Hermida, Alfred (June 13, 2003). "Taking the PlayStation online". BBC News. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
14. Bordam, Serge (October 1, 2003). "Eindelijk online gamen met PS2 | DISKIDEE". www.diskidee.be (in Dutch). Retrieved October 23, 2024.
15. "Golem.de: IT-News für Profis". www.golem.de. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
16. "La PlayStation 2 se prend au jeu en réseau". Retrieved November 14, 2024.
17. "Lanseringsdatum klart för PS2-Online". PCforAlla (in Swedish). July 8, 2003. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
18. "AMSTERDAM - Playstation, onderdeel van Sony, introduceert Network Gaming in september op deNederlandse markt. Network Gaming maakt het mogelijk om videogames te spelentegen andere personen over de hele wereld". Retrieved November 14, 2024.
19. "Sony unveils UK PS2 online gaming beta plans". Retrieved November 14, 2024.
20. Contributor, Johnny Cullen (May 30, 2012). "Sony to shut down SOCOM PS2-PSP servers". VG247. Retrieved October 23, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
21. Frank, Allegra (March 31, 2016). "Final Fantasy 11 shut down on consoles today after 14 years". Polygon. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
22. "URGENT! DNAS SHUTDOWN – PS2 Online Gaming". ps2onlinegaming.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
23. "Square Enix U.S.A. announces details for Final Fantasy XI". Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2003.