Fra og med d. 11 juni vil PS2 være online i England - sådan lyder den klare udmelding fra Sony. Firmaet kan endvidere fortælle at både SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals og Twisted Metal Black Online vil være at finde på hylderne.
Det lader dog til at Danmark må vente lidt endnu, men ifølge GameReactors kilder, så kommer det ikke til at vare længe, før det samme sker her. Faktisk peger kilden på en mulighed annoncering engang i August. Ray Maguire, Chef for SCE UK sagde følgende ved annonceringen:
"Our ethos remains one of having a very diverse and inclusive platform, that will enable content companies, games publishers and ISPs to provide consumers with the broadest selection of new network experiences and entertainment from a variety of sources."
I det kommende nummer af Gamez.dk kan du læse alt om de spil og oplevelser der venter dig online med PS2. Vi har bl.a. anmeldt SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals og Midnight Club 2 i online form, mens vi har kigget fremad mod de mange spil der forventes på markedet indenfor det næste stykke tid. Så kig efter magasinet i butikkerne fra mandag.
Her er pressemeddelelsen i sin helhed:
London, June 2003 - Sony Computer Entertainment UK (SCE UK) today announced the launch date for its PlayStation 2 broadband network gaming service. The commercial offering of the service will take place on June 11th 2003 after successful completion of the consumer trials for the service.
To enjoy PlayStation 2 network gaming, consumers must have a PlayStation 2 and a broadband connection. They can then purchase a Network Adaptor kit comprising: PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor and the Network Adaptor Disk which will enable them to play Network gaming compatible games. Two games are currently available including SOCOM: US Navy SEALs and Twisted Metal Black Online. SOCOM: US Navy SEALs features both online voice communication between players and also voice recognition for single player gaming via the SOCOM voice communication headset.
The PlayStation Network starter pack will be priced at £24.99 SRP. SOCOM: US Navy SEALs including SOCOM voice communication headset will retail for £49.99. Twisted Metal Black Online will be available for £24.99, or else in a bundle with the PlayStation Network Adaptor kit for £39.99.
SOCOM: US Navy SEALs was the world's first network console game with voice communication between players. It has sold over 1 million copies in North America since it debuted in August 2002. Based upon the exploits of the US Navy SEALs (Sea-Air-Land), an elite squad of the most versatile combat troops, SOCOM (Special Operations Command) puts the player in charge of a team of SEALs as they engage terrorists in twelve of the most deadly missions. Play either in single player mode, commanding your team with voice commands issued through the SOCOM voice communication headset, or else take on up to 16 players in separate multiplayer missions. Developed in association with US Navy Special Warfare command for ultimate realism, SOCOM: US Navy SEALs offers exhilarating gameplay with players communicating and planning strategies with fellow SEALs in both single player and network modes.
The PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor enables PlayStation 2 owners to access network multiplayer games through a participating broadband network. It plugs into a dedicated bay at the back of the PlayStation 2 designed specifically for this purpose, then links via an ethernet cable (supplied) to a broadband connection.
Broadband partners include Telewest Broadband, BT Openworld and BT Retail, NTL and Freeserve, each offering competitive packages specifically tailored to PlayStation 2 network gaming.
Commenting on SCE UK's plans for the launch of PlayStation network gaming, Ray Maguire, Managing Director of SCE UK said, "The feedback from the broadband network gaming consumer trials was very positive. From June 11th, PlayStation 2 owners with broadband connection can purchase a Network Adaptor and immediately start enjoying multiplayer network gaming with the market leading PlayStation 2.
"Starting with the groundbreaking experience of 16 player SOCOM with voice communication, and the frenetic car combat action of Twisted Metal Black OnLine, there will be an excellent diversity of online gaming, including titles such as TIF 2004 and Destruction Derby Arenas. PlayStation Network gaming will be exciting and simple to play, as well as affordable.
"Our ethos remains one of having a very diverse and inclusive platform that will enable content companies, games publishers and ISPs to provide consumers with the broadest selection of new network experiences and entertainment from a variety of sources."
The PlayStation 2 network gaming experience will be accessible through a wide range of broadband network partners and will be available through both cable and ADSL connections.
The SCE UK announcement follows the highly successful launch of PlayStation 2 network gaming last year in North America and Japan. In both regions, PlayStation 2 has become the leading network console gaming platform.