After some hedging on the game's content and online compatibility, Sega has apparently managed to work out a timeframe for the release of Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 for North America. The cat was let out of the bag by online retailer Gamestop, whose online store is listing the game for a special October 15, 2002 pre-release in the US and Canada.

This revelation comes after Sega appeared hesitant on whether the game would support broadband connections. This confusion was resolved with the statement the game would not initially be broadband compatible due to Nintendo's decision to wait on releasing the broadband adaptor for the GameCube. PSO Episode 1 & 2 is set for release in Japan sometime this month.