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PuPPeT · 04-09-2003, 11:51 AM

Sony gets started
So the first, faltering steps in Sony's online plans were taken. Yes, adoption was, and still is, slow, with a market hobbled by cost and hardware availability. But it was a start, nonetheless.

Another E3, another proud pointy finger from Hirai and – shazam – America launches its Dualband Modem in August 2002. An altogether more orchestrated affair, it displayed a greater confidence on the part of Sony and, importantly, a selection of HDD-free launch titles – NFL2K3, NFL GameDay 2003, Madden NFL 2003, SOCOM: US Navy Seals and Twisted Metal Black Online. All of which were quickly followed by ATV Offroad Fury 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, NBA Live 2003, Tribes Aerial Assault and, most recently, EverQuest Online Adventures. It was a prestigious output in such a short period, certainly, but how have US gamers adapted to the new online world streaming into the back of their PS2s? Equip catches up with leading US PlayStation2 journo Eric Bratcher to find out if the same teething problems that plagued Japanese users had been duplicated Stateside.

"Things are definitely coming on strong in the US, despite a few notable hiccups," he explains. "The Dualband Modem is selling well – approximately 650,000 units so far – although it was hampered early on by short supplies and the need for a few extra solid games. As for actual connection issues, the device is working surprisingly well out of the box, although a number of gamers are being forced to buy routers so that they can connect both PS2 and PCs simultaneously. Also, the inclusion of narrowband has led to a few gamers dragging the odd deathmatch to a grinding halt. For the most part, though, it's clear that PlayStation2 is ready and able to embrace online gaming."

A powerful start, then, for the US model, and one soon to be bolstered by the arrival of online party title My Street and the musical head-to-head licks of Sony's Amplitude. Even Square is in the process of beta testing FFXI on PC, which has again renewed speculation about an imminent announcement concerning the US version of the HDD. So, for UK gamers with import machines and an existing broadband connection, the revolution has already started. But what of the rest of those out there with their PAL PS2s?

04-09-2003, 11:51 AM	#2
PuPPeT Duke PuPPeT is offline Now Playing: Posts: 230	Sony gets started So the first, faltering steps in Sony's online plans were taken. Yes, adoption was, and still is, slow, with a market hobbled by cost and hardware availability. But it was a start, nonetheless. Another E3, another proud pointy finger from Hirai and – shazam – America launches its Dualband Modem in August 2002. An altogether more orchestrated affair, it displayed a greater confidence on the part of Sony and, importantly, a selection of HDD-free launch titles – NFL2K3, NFL GameDay 2003, Madden NFL 2003, SOCOM: US Navy Seals and Twisted Metal Black Online. All of which were quickly followed by ATV Offroad Fury 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, NBA Live 2003, Tribes Aerial Assault and, most recently, EverQuest Online Adventures. It was a prestigious output in such a short period, certainly, but how have US gamers adapted to the new online world streaming into the back of their PS2s? Equip catches up with leading US PlayStation2 journo Eric Bratcher to find out if the same teething problems that plagued Japanese users had been duplicated Stateside. "Things are definitely coming on strong in the US, despite a few notable hiccups," he explains. "The Dualband Modem is selling well – approximately 650,000 units so far – although it was hampered early on by short supplies and the need for a few extra solid games. As for actual connection issues, the device is working surprisingly well out of the box, although a number of gamers are being forced to buy routers so that they can connect both PS2 and PCs simultaneously. Also, the inclusion of narrowband has led to a few gamers dragging the odd deathmatch to a grinding halt. For the most part, though, it's clear that PlayStation2 is ready and able to embrace online gaming." A powerful start, then, for the US model, and one soon to be bolstered by the arrival of online party title My Street and the musical head-to-head licks of Sony's Amplitude. Even Square is in the process of beta testing FFXI on PC, which has again renewed speculation about an imminent announcement concerning the US version of the HDD. So, for UK gamers with import machines and an existing broadband connection, the revolution has already started. But what of the rest of those out there with their PAL PS2s? __________________ It's true what they say "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance".