Square Millennium update: "Play Online" network

[01.29.00] » Square outlines plans for a broadband, comprehensive online network for gaming, the Internet, and more.

   In addition to the three Final Fantasy titles introduced at Japan's Square Millennium conference, further information has surfaced concerning Square's push towards broadband, online gaming. Final Fantasy X's multiplayer online gaming component (and Final Fantasy XI in its entirety) will take advantage of Play Online, Square's planned online portal. The company is partnering with telecommunications giant NTT Communications to offer the service, which includes Internet browsing, email, online games, chat rooms, online comics, sports, instant messaging, and electronic shopping. Software for the service will first be included with Final Fantasy X, and will also be available to PC users. Play Online is slated for launch in Spring 2001.

   Furthermore, if the online venture proves successful, it's likely Square will create a new round of online games -- at the Millennium show, famed producer Hironobu Sakaguchi stated he is pondering development of two non-Final Fantasy titles for the PlayStation 2.