Game wars
SP Times | at | by Mike
The video game industry is setting its sights online after a flurry of console price cuts that will put the focus less on the hardware and more on giving consumers reason to get hooked. Microsoft Corp. outlined plans Monday to launch an Internet gaming service for its Xbox game console. Starting this fall -- the company didn't specify a date -- Xbox owners who also have a high-speed Internet connection will be able to play each other through an online service called Xbox Live. For $49.95, Xbox owners in North America, Europe and Japan will be able to purchase a year's worth of access to the service and a headset-style communicator device that connects with the Xbox.