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PlayOnline Network To Use Dreamcast Technology

Posted by timothy on from the if-you-have-a-yen-for-gaming dept.

Iron Chef Japan writes: "Squaresoft announced that they have teamed up with ACCESS to develop middleware for their upcoming PlayOnline network, set to debut in Japan soon. The PlayOnline network is the service that Square has setup for such games as Final Fantasy XI, and will be used for future games. Well the software that ACCESS is sharing with Square, is all built on the same technology that the Sega Dreamcast used (called NetFront). Full details here."

3 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Fist Sport! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Under 5000 XBoxes sold last week. This is compared to 100k Playstation2s and 25k Gamecubes. Since its launch, the Xbox has sold 190k units in Japan versus the Playstation's 980k units sold in the first 3 days.

    Face facts. Xbox is dying

  2. I claim it... by ringbarer · · Score: 1, Interesting

    In the name of logged in trolls who are being surprisingly coherent today! In order to fill out these two minutes, I'd just like to state that the Dreamcast was an EXCELLENT piece of hardware, years in advance of it's time. The major innovation? Online connectivity out of the box.

    On-line gaming, as evidenced on the PC, is the next stage of the console revolution. Any console which refuses to support it OUT OF THE BOX will fail. Gamers don't want to buy additional peripherals.

    So why did the Dreamcast fail? Simple. Marketing. Sega chose to throw their money into online game development and superior software. Sony threw all their money into advertising. Spreading FUD about the Dreamcast. In the end, people are stupid, and went for the blocky, poorly textured, movies-instead-of-gameplay embarassment of the Playstation, instead of the smooth, photo-realistic, gameplay enhanced qualities of the Dreamcast.

    It is no co-incidence that the Dreamcast was responsible for one of the best console games ever - Phantasy Star Online. Groundbreaking in its short tenure, this game provided global online play. But of course, the gaming community, not willing to accept innovation, would have rather chose the myriad of cloned 'Rhythm Games' on the Playstation.

    So, gamers have another choice. The PS2 WILL win, due to superior marketing. That leaves the X-Box, somewhat derivative, but capable of breathtaking gameplay. And the Gamecube, with arguably the best 'franchises' in the home console market.

    However, the Gamecube's online plans are feeble to say the least. Does the consumer choose Broadband or Dial-up, and can gamers on one choice play with gamers on the other?

    And don't even get me started on the Playstation 2's 'online' plans. A hard disk and Broadband connection, pushing the price of a combined PS2/Online setup BEYOND that of the X-Box.

    The choice, dear consumer, is yours...

    --
    "Why did they cancel my favorite Sci-Fi show? I downloaded ALL the episodes!"
  3. Interesting. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
    This is a good move. Nintendo, PS2, and MS all have modem&broadband add-ons to allow access to the net for multiplayer, but they are all scratching their heads on how to implement it. Now that Square has taken the initiative, maybe Sony and Nintendo will jump on board the same service (They are both getting FFXI & Other Squaresoft games) .. I am unsure what Microsoft plans to do, but from their past track record, they will most likely try and start their own MSN type of deal instead of going with the flow. (Not bad mouthing, it's just reality.)

    Now, the question is, since all these adaptors exist in Japan, how long until we see this stuff in the USA? This is where I think Microsoft will get a step ahead, since their marketshare here is pretty decent.

    Well, i'll be glad to be playing Phantasy Star 2 and FFXI on my Gamecube thats for sure, the question is when. And Gran Turismo 4 on my PS2 will rock as well. Long as they find a decent service that my Cable modem can connect to..