Phantasy Star Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Dreamcast in 2000 in Japan and 2001 worldwide. Unlike previous turn-based games in the Phantasy Star series, Phantasy Star Online features real-time hack and slash combat. The game was a critical and commercial success, and was followed by expansions and sequels including Phantasy Star Online Episode III (2003), Phantasy Star Universe (2006) and Phantasy Star Online 2 (2012). Phantasy Star Online can still be played online through private servers.