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DZNUTZ
04-29-2002, 02:54 PM
E3 2002 Preview: Xbox Online


Microsoft has been committed to online playability since day one and their dreams will finally materialize at this year's E3. Check out our predictions inside.

Introduction

Microsoft made damn sure early in the game that every living, breathing video game player knew that the Xbox would online. Not only did they make sure that people knew that the console would be online, but they also insured everyone that no additional hardware would need to be purchased for the Xbox. This E3 will mark the very first playable demo of the Xbox Network in all its glory. We take a look at what we know, what we don't know, and what we expect to see from Microsoft at this year's Electronics Entertainment Expo.



What We Know

First we'll start off with the small amount of information that we know about MS's online plans for the Xbox. We do know that 27 (possibly more by now) developers are developing Xbox titles for specific use with the upcoming online service. Games such as NFL Fever 2003, Whacked!, MechAssault, and Unreal Championship have been confirmed for release along side the Xbox network and other games such as Ghost Recon will be released shortly after the launch of the new service. Titles which may or may not be part of the online launch, bat are definitely coming include Phantasy Star Online, Tony Hawk 4, and Sega's 2K3 series of sports titles.



Microsoft has also recently stated that the Xbox communicator as well as the communicator service will be available as well. The service is said to perform similarly to the classic ICQ service in that a window pops up when a buddy wants to chat with you. Your pals will have the ability to reach you regardless of where you are in the network, whether you're in a lobby or playing one of your favorite games. The Xbox communicator could be a major selling point of the Xbox online scheme, pending on whether or not Microsoft can have a high ease of use level to go along with the hardware.

We also know that developers will be utilizing the Xbox network in the same vein as PC developers have been doing for years. The wonderful world of add-ons will be open to the gaming public the network. New levels, costumes, moves, and even entire games (Counterstrike anyone?) can be attained by merely pressing the A button on the controller. Updated rosters on sport games, new weapons for first person shooters, and new characters for your favorite fighting games could become available through the Xbox network. The possibilities are endless aren't they?

The last tidbit of information that we can pass on is that E3 will be a tell all, end all display of Microsoft's intentions for the Xbox network. A price will be announced and a final list of titles should be revealed as well as a demo of each to get a feel for what gamers can expect when the launch finally hits.

What We Don't Know



The list of things that we don't know about the Xbox's online network greatly outnumbers the list of things that we do know. For starters we have no idea how much it will cost. Whether it will be $29.99 per month or $9.99 per month still remains to be seen. Price will undoubtedly play a large part in the grand scheme of things, I just hope Microsoft has spent some long hours going over the average earnings of their target audience and has agreed a very low price so that everyone can enjoy some online gaming goodness.

Games are yet another question mark in the ensuing launch for the Xbox's online network. While we do have a list of online titles their ship dates have been moving around quite a bit as of late. Take Ghost Recon for instance, a game that was originally scheduled for a Spring release is now believed to have slipped back until September or October. The flagship title for the Xbox's online plan has also fallen into the public spotlight and many have questioned when the title will be released. It is feasible to say that if Unreal Championship is not ready for the launch of the online network that Microsoft could delay the entire launch of the network to suit the needs of the developers. Once again, release dates will surely be ironed out severely by the time E3 rolls around.



Quite possibly the foggiest point in all of this jibber jabber is the true release date of the service. While Microsoft has held on tight to their original statement of launching by the summer of 2002, some people believe that MS is slipping a bit. With talk of online games falling behind development schedules there may be too many variables for Microsoft to account for to make the scheduled launch. But if we know Microsoft (and we do) then they'll make their scheduled launch and stun their world with their new network.

What We Think Will Happen

Microsoft will make their scheduled release and will nail down a specific day at E3 this May. Not only will Microsoft set a release date for this Summer (and if my hunch is correct it will be sometime in June) they will also wow the world by announcing a monthly rate for their service. The cost will be cheap to allow for maximum usage by all ranges of financial earnings.

At E3 Microsoft will also announce specific dates for all of their upcoming games that will launch alongside the service. Unreal Championship will arrive on time and will be fully playable with the online network at E3. Ghost Recon will make an appearance along with Microsoft's first party offering for the online network. Another surprise that Microsoft could have in store is news on Halo 2. Don't expect to see anything concrete but don't be surprised if there are a few early screenshots and talk of online play.

Conclusion

Regardless what happens at E3 Microsoft is bound to make some serious noise. Online details will come in large quantities and XboxWeb will be there to cover the show every step of the way. It's going to be big and it's going to be awesome. Stay tuned…

Nate "GamerX" Ahearn
E3 is going to be a real *****in' time!
http://www.xboxweb.com/features/e3k2onlinepreview.html