Welcome to a simple resource to getting yourself into PSO (and other titles) online. While it's obvious that most of the official servers were shut down long ago and the consoles versions have offline/single-player mode, it's possible to connect to private servers for online mode.
I will only be listing the name of the server, website, and their forum/discord server (if there is any.)
I will not, tell you how active the servers are. You'll have to seek it yourself in order to see if the server is your type in regards of gameplay and the community.
Versions guide:
PSOv1, Phantasy Star Online for Dreamcast (original release, basically version 1)
PSOv2, Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 for Dreamcast
PSOv2PC, Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 for PC (not to be confused with Blue Burst)
PSOGC, Phantasy Star Online Ep. 1 & 2 for Gamecube
PSOEP3, Phantasy Star Online C.A.R.D. Revolution for Gamecube
PSOBB, Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst for PC
Alphabetical order:
Name: Destiny
Website: https://playpso.net/
Forum: https://playpso.net/forums/
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/AucV8Xtc?utm_source=Discord%20Widget&utm_medium=Connect
Version it supports: PSOBB
Name: Ephinea
Website: https://ephinea.pioneer2.net/
Forum: https://www.pioneer2.net/community/
Discord: https://discord.gg/3cWDyd9
Version it supports: PSOBB
Name: Schtserv
Website: https://schtserv.com
Forum: https://schtserv.com/forums/
Discord: https://discord.gg/J2VFPR4
Version it supports: PSOv2PC, PSOGC, PSOEP3, PSOBB
Name: Sylverant
Website: https://sylverant.net/
Fourm: https://dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=75
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/R2ATFFm
Version it supports: PSOv1, PSOv2, PSOv2PC, PSOGC
Name: Ultima
Website: https://www.phantasystaronline.net/
Forum: https://www.phantasystaronline.net/forum/
Discord: https://discord.gg/j3xeD34ZHN
Version it supports: PSOBB
Other servers:
Eden: PSOBB server (http://www.edenserv.net/)
No_name: Japanese server, seems to support DC, GC, BB ( http://www.noname-serv.org/ )
iYo: Japanese BB server, no longer active?
Kazuha: Japanese GC server ( https://kazuhapso.wixsite.com/mysite )
Unseen: Invite-only BB and GC Time-Attacking server ( https://unseenserver.web.fc2.com/ )
Selurlatem: BB server, contact dethmetldon@hotmail.com , if possible.
Gal Da Val and L33tserv are GC servers might no longer be active right now
Note-worthy mentions:
The Hunter Guild is a central PSOGC community that focuses on gathering together while providing excellent guides on how to connect most of the PSOGC servers. Discord link: https://discord.gg/psogc
Q&A
Q: How are these servers able to be online for so long and why Sega has not taken down these servers?
A: While it was rather impressive for Schthack to actually have the servers online while the official servers used to be still online for DC, GC, and BB–it might be that Sega could not bother due to money, time, and legal reasons. For the legal side, I believe that Schthack and his team managed to create the server all by hand without needing to take any Sega’s code. Now-a-days we call this “Clean-room design.”
However the next question –
Q: What about the original Xbox version?
A: While Sega doesn’t have the money, Microsoft does have the money and legal team to stop any homebrew servers. Also the other issue is that two servers are needed for this to be a reality, Xbox Live server and of course, PSO server. MVG has made a video about recent updates regarding homebrew Xbox Live server for OG Xbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DVKwTtJtS8
Q: Why do all of the PSO BlueBurst clients have some form of malware or virus etc?
A: Because obviously all PSO games are closed-source, there is no easy way to modify the game’s client without having to inject the code externally. Depending on who you ask, each developer of the project will tell you why it’s harmless. For example Tofuman (from Ephinea) was disproving about how it “steal information” : https://www.reddit.com/r/PSO/comments/f5adiu/comment/fi9vwup/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Without this modification, we wouldn’t have a lot of major improvements such as fast loading times (very recent addition), wide-screen support, item dots on minimaps, more characters slots, shared bank, and so on.
But let’s just say you still don’t believe any of it, then you have two options. One, would be to use virtualization (you’ll be hearing the term “Virtual Machines” a lot now and later), and two, just play the console version with a legal physical copy of the game. Sure, the latter option doesn’t have Ep4 with additional content but it's a whole lot better than being worried about, I don’t know, security issues? Next you’ll be asking me if connecting to any of these servers are “safe” then I can’t help you anymore.
Q: Why is XYZ server being mentioned?
A: If you are concerned about the controversies whenever it’s recent or old, I’ll say it, most if-not-all servers have a bad history. It can’t be helped that no matter what, no server is “perfect.” Trust me, I always have mixed feelings playing on any of these servers.
If somehow you’ve gained enough information about the server you play on and it’s enough to make you feel uncomfortable, you have the clear rights to not play on that server then.
You or your friends can always run your own server instead if that makes it any better.