Online game strategies announced by Big Three
By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service
The video game "console wars" among Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are heating up.
The three companies announced their strategies for online gaming at last week's E3 Electronics Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, on the heels of price cuts — the Xbox and PlayStation 2 by $100, to $199, and Nintendo's GameCube by $50, to $149. Here are highlights of what each of the companies had announced at E3:
Microsoft
The company unveiled "Xbox Live," an online strategy that takes advantage of Xbox's built-in broadband network connector.
Scheduled to roll out in the fall for $9.99 per month, "Xbox Live" requires a high-speed Internet connection, which generally costs $40 to $50 a month.
The service also will be available for $49.99 for a full year as part of an introductory promotion that includes a hands-free "Xbox Communicator" headset and microphone.
Nintendo
This fall, the company will offer a $34.95 communications adapter compatible with dial-up and high-speed Internet service. Nintendo didn't announce pricing for its online gaming service, though it's expected to be competitive with Microsoft and Sony's offerings.
"Phantasy Star Online" will be the first online game available for GameCube. The price was not available at press time.
Nintendo also focused on its offline content. More than 150 games will be available for the GameCube by the holiday season, in addition to more than 300 titles for the Game Boy Advance handheld machine.
WaveBird, a wireless game controller, will go on sale June 10.
Sony
Beginning Aug. 27, Sony will offer a $39.99 Network Adapter for dial-up and broadband Internet connections. Online play will carry a monthly charge. The subscription fee was not available at press time.
Coinciding with the launch of the Network Adapter is the release of "SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs," Sony's first Internet-ready action thriller. In this title, players strap into the boots of an elite Navy SEAL operative and dismantle terrorist infrastructures around the globe. Other online-ready games for the PlayStation 2 include Activision's "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3."
