Sega confirms cable modem for U.S. release

[03.01.00] » College students, broadband users welcome Sega to 21st century.

   In a recent interview with Games Business about Sega of America's plans for this May's E3 show, VP of Marketing Peter Moore dropped an interesting, yet easily missed detail. Moore said, "Our focus at E3 will be online games ... We'll show a number of compelling peripherals ... ranging from a cable modem to an MP3 player." Moore went on to add, "Gamers can look for 3D and persistent-world online games and additional downloadable features. Working toward that future, as of March 2, we will have just hit phase four of our five stage online strategy."

   The announcement (however obliquely) of cable modem support in the U.S. is extremely welcome. Two of Sega's strongest demographics, college students and broadband cable modem users, have been left out of the Dreamcast revolution; users who had taken steps to have the best Internet experience possible were locked out of console online gaming. With this new solution announced, Dreamcast online gaming has greatly increased its audience--and its respectability.

   And GIA readers watch out! We play a mean game of Chu-Chu Rocket.