Tokyo, Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. said it plans to begin testing its new online game service for users of its Xbox video-game console in Japan by the middle of November.
The world's largest software maker will begin taking applications next week, the company said in a news release. The trial version of the Xbox Live service will be available initially for 5,000 Xbox owners, the company said.
Using Xbox Live, subscribers will be able to communicate with each other using the ``Xbox Voice Communicator'' headset.
Users will need to own the Xbox console and have a high-speed connection to the Internet.
Microsoft in May said it will spend $2 billion on the Xbox Live service and upgrades to the game console.
Those chosen to test Xbox Live will need to pay 6,800 yen ($58 ) for a user kit, which will include a one-year subscription to the service.
In June, Microsoft's Japan unit said the first game available over the Internet in Japan is likely to be Sega Corp.'s ``Phantasy Star Online'' adventure game, which is also available for Nintendo Co.'s GameCube console.
Including ``Phantasy Star Online,'' 39 game software developers are making a total of 47 games for the Japanese version of the Xbox Live service, the company has said.
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dit klinkt niet goed ... dit kan betekenen dat wij ook pas in juni live gaan
Laatst bewerkt: 9 sep 2002
