The idea of ??in-game concerts is nothing new, as many games have hosted concerts, and Phantasy Star Online 2 has had them since around 2013. Now PSO2: New Genesis continues that tradition, adding concerts in its big update in February. However, PSO2 and PSO2: New Genesis' concerts are different from games like Roblox and PSO2 NGS Meseta Fortnite that online players may be more familiar with. Instead of hiring real-world artists to perform, they use in-game characters to support the lore and engage players to make it even better.

PSO2 is an older game than one might think, as it was first released in Japan in 2012, with nearly 10 years of content finally making its way to the West in 2020. These aren't technically the oldest in-game concerts, though, as World of Warcraft's Tauren Chieftain has been playing in-game for several years. Only in the last few years have real artists stepped onto the gaming scene, but they didn't always fit in with the game's player base.

When games use real-world artists for in-game concerts, it's really just for monetization, encouraging more players to log in and attracting new players to the game and hopefully keep them. An increase in players may lead to spending on paid items and keep the in-game volume increasing. While it's a great event for those interested, most players don't play online games to watch popular artists perform, and these types of concerts don't contribute anything to the gameplay or storyline. They are more of a gimmick and a way for artists to reach people without an expensive venue.

Concerts for PSO2 and NGS operate more in the game world. Artists are characters in the storyline, mostly Quna in PSO2 and Nadereh in NGS, who have the power of songs. It's a bit tacky, but the performance is as good as Fortnite and Roblox, but the content is more related to the game. Songs are associated with world lore, and performances actually provide bonuses for players who take part in the competition. These rewards can be experience buffs, increased rare drop rates, and more, helping players get out of trouble and go beyond just being a spectacle. There are even concerts where players can dance or stand on stage while watching the show.

For players, an in-game concert related to the game is a better option than just having a big-name concert related to it. Another game that used concerts, Final Fantasy XIV Online, proved that content resonated more with players. The game's real-world band, The Primals, plays the in-game music live, complete with a music video, which players seem to love. They attract a crowd and their online views are high.

It's a good idea to step a real artist into the game, but it's not used or used as often as it should be. Obviously, players prefer events in online games that are related to the game itself. That's why PSO2 and PSO2: NGS concerts are accepted by the community as a fun part of the game and allow players to benefit and improve. This is a better way to integrate online performances than trying to assimilate real-world performances.