Microsoft, Sony set for European online gaming war
Reuters | at | by Mike
Sony and Microsoft will open a new front in their computer games battles in Europe later this month, trying to win over trigger-happy recruits to the online gaming platforms they view as the next big growth segment in the industry. Though small now, online gaming is seen as an important emerging market for video game console makers. It enables them to charge players subscriptions to engage fellow gamers anywhere in the world in a dark alley shoot-'em-up or simulated bombing run on enemy camps.
Market research firm ScreenDigest predicts online gaming will surpass $1 billion in Europe by 2006. Sales of online gaming kits in the U.S. have exceeded expectations with Sony selling more than 500,000 and Microsoft more than 350,000, the companies said.