


Previously, we've posted a guide on how users anywhere can access Phantasy Star Online. This time around we're going to show you how to get on the free-to-play CoDOL, a good game full of nostalgia that's only available in the People's Republic of China.

So, before we start, I'm just going to throw out two caveats regarding playing CoDOL outside of China.

1) You may need a virtual private network to spoof your location to China. Some of these may cost you money. I know it sounds crazy, who wants to link to China, where the internet is heavily censored?

2) CoDOL is PC only right now. Sorry Mac users. (I get by because I put my lungs through hell at a Chinese net cafe.)


Okay, let's begin.

Step 1: Download Tencent's QQ messenger in Chinese. (International might work too but just download the Chinese to be safe).


Step 2: Pick the version of QQ you want - you can use Mac or PC - it doesn't matter, though since CoDOL is PC only at the moment, you're probably on a PC right now. Though, right now we're just getting a QQ number.

Step 3: When you install QQ, be sure to uncheck all the boxes during the installation prompt. Just look at the following image as reference. Tencent wants you to install a bevy of their software. Don't.


Step 4: This part might be the most important one, you're going to need a QQ number. You can register here for a QQ Number. Follow the images below to fill out the form.


Step 5: This part's a bit tricky, it's phone number verification. Luckily, you can activate a QQ number with a foreign phone number! Where it says country code, scroll down and look for 美国 for America. If you're in other countries, here's a quick breakdown for you:

日本: Japan

英国: England

韩国: Korea

澳大利亚: Australia

You can also visit Wikipedia, type in your country's name and under languages hit 中文, and it'll give you your country name in Chinese. That or Google.


After all that is done, you've got a shiny new QQ number! You can use the QQ number for all sorts of things, most of which will be China only. You can access WeChat, Tencent Video, Tencent Banking, and most of all... TENCENT GAMES! That's right, with this nifty new Tencent number, you can access the Chinese League of Legends servers (you'll need a VPN), Monster Hunter Online when it comes out, and various other games.


Step 6: We're almost done. We're now at the part where you get CoDOL. To download the CoDOL client, head to the landing page.

Step 7: Hit the middle button to download. Technically you can hit any of the three download options but the middle one is the full client.


Step 8: Once you've downloaded the 6 gigabyte package, it's time to install! It's pretty much the same as your average Windows Installer, just follow the image and deselect the excess baggage.


Step 9: After all this work, it's time to fire up CoDOL. However, once we log in, we'll be in the need of a Chinese ID Card number generator. You can Google one. There are quite a few online that help gamers secure ID numbers/Names/Cell numbers. All of this is for the Chinese government. I haven't heard of an issue with using fake numbers. My ex-girlfriend is able to play games even though I used her ID to sign up for them (when we were together). Though the danger of using a fake ID number is that your account might be deleted at any time, you get to cut in line and play games not released in Western markets! Hooray!


Step 10: I hope you listened to Step 9.


Step 11: This part is ridiculously straight forward. After you log in to the game, you pick a server and watch a trailer. After all of that you get to play a mission on a tanker that's ridiculously easy.

The only real prompt is picking a control scheme.


Oh yeah, there's also the daily login bonus, but you can exit out of that by hitting escape.

Step 12: There is no step 12, just some hints and tips to help you play the game. The first is how to exit games and how to exit trailers. At any point in the game, you can hit escape and it'll bring up the following message.


Click the outlined box to exit and then when the are you sure prompt shows up, hit 确定.


Now when you're in game, there really isn't much you need Chinese for. I figured the only things you really need to get to know right off the bat are the various game modes.

Training mode, Single Player, and Team Death Match are self-explanatory. The Apocalypse Zombie/Alien mode is more of a survivor mode where you also save NPC's, it's a lot of fun. Rescue mode is similar to the survivor mode just minus the Aliens and Zombies.

The Zombie/Alien Mode Boss Mode is another player versus environment mode. Like survivor, it's a whole lot of fun.


Best of luck out there soldiers. If you're in game and you see my handle, MajorPooper, give me a shoutout. Oh and don't destroy me too badly...

