Atlus has released specifics regarding the upcoming closed beta testing phase of Shin Megami Tensei Online Imagine. The application period for the first beta of the PC-based network RPG will run from September 1st through September 16th. A total of 2000 beta testers will be selected among all applicants. Since the beta test's aim is testing the game's various systems and server load as well as adjusting its balance, the featured content will be limited. Players won't be able to take their character data from this beta build to the commerical release, the server setup will be on a much smaller scale than the setup available at launch and long downtimes can occur. To make sure thst beta testers won't complain about such inconveniences, Atlus already mentioned that the beta was not aimed at entertaining users. As far as hardware specifications are concerned, the company recommends the following configuration: an Intel Pentium 4 2GHz or higher CPU, at least 512MB of main memory, a 3D graphics accelerator with at least 128MB of video memory, at least 3GB of available harddisk space, Windows 2000 or XP as well as DirectX 9.0 and above. These specifications only apply for the upcoming beta test and might change before the game's commerical release.

The closed beta test of Shin Megami Tensei Online Imagine will commence on October 1st.

• GameWatch

• Official Shin Megami Tensei Online Imagine Website