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Broadband and Gaming
As you round the bend at Jerez motor circuit, you brake late and come flying off you bike.
The rider chasing your tail roars past and throws a curse my way. It’s a typical game of Moto GP on
the Xbox, except you are playing online and the rider who just passed is thousands of miles away in
Pennsylvania. The 15 other riders are also dotted around the Western world.
Xbox Live is up and running in the US and on test drive in Europe.
It allows gamers to compete and talk to each other at the same time. A microphone and headset lets
you talk – or, more usually, insult – the players who stand in your way of virtual glory.
The quality is good, on a par with mobile phones, and, although the range of games is limited,
it’s set to expand. You can race 500cc bikes, play American football, engage in hostage rescue
situations and command giant walking weapons arsenals.
It is relatively easy to set up. You’ll need a broadband Internet connection, and within minutes
you will be online.
At the moment, the market for online gaming is small, limited by the spread of broadband connection
and cost.
If you can afford it, Xbox Live offers a glimpse of gaming in the future. PlayStation 2 owners can look
forward to similar delights from March this year. Hooking up with gamers around the world might also
help breakdown the stereotype of the friend-free gamer.
useful links
www.xbox.com
ps2 official site: online gaming
gamecube official site: phantasy star online
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