Sega Nerds

Find texting too slow in PSU? Worry no more

by Graham on May 30th, 2007

Are you tired of having to painstakingly type out messages to other people in Phantasy Star Universe? Then get a keyboard, damn it! However, if that’s not an option, Sega’s got your back.

Sega has released a new gizmo that allows typing messages to become much simpler and quicker.  Simply called the Texter, the device connects to your Xbox 360 controller, or to your PS2 memory card slot and changes the function of your control pad, when typing messages.  Note: You will need to specify which version you have, 360 or PS2 as the Texter is physically different for both (though does the same thing)

On the site for the product, Sega has posted up a small video/advert showing how it works … only trouble is they don’t exactly explain it too well.  As far as I can tell, once connected, the device changes each button or direction pressed on your control pad into a letter on your keyboard.

So rather than having to move a cursor around the virtual keyboard in the game, you now just press the analogue sticks and buttons to put up the letters directly.  Again I state that the video doesn’t explain very well, and the information on the site is even sketchier.

The one warning they give you is that the device does not work with wireless controllers… yet.  So we can probably assume they will either send out an update that will somehow make it possible with wireless, or they will do the mean thing and make another model that costs more, specifically for wireless controllers.

But all is not bad, I’ll let Sega explain what else you get;

“Inside the collector’s metal box you’ll find posters, stickers and a special Guardians Code that will get you a FREE T-Shirt. You pick your size and we send you the shirt at no extra charge. With the Texter, messaging, creating shortcut phrases, and sending e-mails are a snap. It’s the perfect messaging tool whether you’re in the lobbies or out on a mission. Any game that takes text input from a USB keyboard will work with the Texter. The Texter is also great for messaging on Xbox LIVE®—you can even use your plug-in headset for voice and text chat from your controller.“

While this is very interesting, and certainly a handy tool, for those that like to type a lot in PSU, I think I will have to ruin the party and just say - use a USB keyboard.  Certainly for the Xbox 360 version of the game, you can simply plug in any USB (including wireless) keyboard, and it will work automatically, it will save you a bit of money and it’s probably easier to use.

Anyway if you want to purchase the little box and get the free PSU goodies, and also have a look at the video, check out the site here.

[Source: phantasystaruniverse.com]

[Special Thanks: Fruitsofthewomb]

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POSTED IN: G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, PC, Sony PlayStation 2