EA's supporting PS2 online, but not XBOX
[link|http://news.globetechnology.com/|Globe Technology] had an article last week,
EA to support PS2 on-line launch, not Xbox(story is no longer online)
Los Angeles \ufffd No. 1 video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. said its franchise Madden NFL football series will support the launch of on-line play for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2 later this year, but will not do so for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox.
The two companies have touted on-line gameplay as the next key frontier for home video gaming because of the ongoing revenue potential as well as a way to turn the game console into an Internet gateway for the TV. Both are expected to heavily promote their services in the coming weeks.
Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts said Madden NFL 2003 will support the PS2's on-line functions, which will launch in August with the retail availability of a dual dial-up/broadband adapter for $39.99 (U.S.).
...
While Sony does not plan to charge for on-line play, leaving that choice to publishers, Microsoft reportedly plans to operate its own gaming network and charge a monthly fee.
So, EA could make additional money with PS2 online support, but they cannot on the XBOX because Microsoft will be making that money instead. I found more info in the [link|http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/technology/16GAME.html|New York Times](use iwethey * 2)
Each hardware maker has been eager to attract video game software publishers in the hopes that hit titles will draw large audiences. But there are strong concerns among some of the major publishers, echoing the concerns of independent software publishers in the personal computer industry.
Several people close to the negotiations said Microsoft had been trying to force software publishers to offer their online games on data-serving computers controlled by Microsoft, a move that could potentially give Microsoft access to information about customers.
"Any developer who accepts an agreement that doesn't respect their relationship with the customer is like a turkey accepting an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner," said Jeff Brown, a spokesman for Electronic Arts.
Seems people are aware of Microsoft's exploits in the PC world and are a little leery of them. And when you consider [link|http://www.eastsidejournal.com/sited/story/html/92308|this]
The latest is a doozy. Yesterday an irate reader tipped me off to the fact that Microsoft has changed the privacy settings for Hotmail.
What that means for subscribers to Microsoft's Internet service and millions more who use its free Hotmail e-mail service is that the company can share a Hotmail address with its partner Web sites.
In short, if you are already signed up for and use Hotmail, Microsoft has given itself the right to share your e-mail address and other data with outside companies -- even if you explicitly told Microsoft not to do so when you signed up.
you really can't blame them; after all, if Microsoft is so willing to do this to
their own customers, you can bet your last dollar they'll do it to EA's customers. If I were EA, I would not want to risk upsetting my customers over something I had no control over.
Darrell Spice, Jr.
[link|http://home.houston.rr.com/spiceware/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore