Nintendo Co will offer Internet access to GameCube video-game console owners later this year, giving the Kyoto-based gamemaker a jump on rival Sony Corp's bid to link its PlayStation 2 owners.
Sega Corp, the creator of the Sonic the Hedgehog video-game character, will release the online adventure game Phantasy Star Online Episode I&II this summer for the GameCube, spokesman Masato Suzuki, said in an interview. It's the first time a gamemaker or Nintendo have confirmed specific plans of games playable on the Internet for the console.
Internet games may be a way for Nintendo to spur sales of the GameCube, which is facing stiff competition from Sony's two-year-old PlayStation 2 console and Microsoft Corp's Xbox. Sony's efforts to provide online access for the PlayStation 2 were set back earlier this week when the company said the introduction of Internet games for the console had been delayed.
"If the game is attractive enough it will help GameCube sales," said Ken Toyoda, a Nintendo spokesman. "The Internet game would give GameCube users a different way to play."
Nintendo, which introduced the GameCube in September, planned to sell 4 million units in the US and Japan by the end of last month.
Most recent sales numbers weren't available. Sales commence in Europe next month, Nintendo said. Sony has sold more than 26.3 million PlayStation 2 consoles worldwide in the last two years.
Sega will sell a modem adapter to access the Internet as well as the game software, which was originally developed for its Dreamcast game console. Before the game's release, Sega plans to sell a trial version in May with a modem adaptor and an optional keyboard controller. Nintendo said it will supply modem adapters to Sega.
Sega, which expects its fifth straight year of losses for the 12 months ended March 31, scrapped its Dreamcast game machine a year ago to focus on making software for rivals.
The online game, which has more than 300,000 players, is also available for Sega's Dreamcast console and Microsoft Corp's Windows-based personal computers in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Sony's game unit, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, plans to offer a similar online-game service with Square Co for its PlayStation 2 console.
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