Putting Dreamcast Online in Japan

TOKYO - One of the biggest components of Sega's Dreamcast is its built-in 33.6kbps modem. Capitalizing on that fact, Sega unveiled its plans for the Japanese market and Dreamcast's modem at today's New Challenge Conference II.

First off was the announcement of Sega's main online software, called Dream Passport. Passport gives Dreamcast users instant access to Sega's Dricas (that's Dreamcast, shortened) home page. Basically, Sega is offering almost every possible online component in one package, including access to WebTV beginning in spring 1999 through a partnership with WebTV Networks (a subscription offer to WebTV will be included with the Dreamcast hardware). Sega also announced a partnership with online gaming network DWANGO, which will provide online gaming services to Japanese gamers (no additional details were given at this time).

Sega Rally 2 will be the first game to utilize the DC's multiplayer capabilities, with a day and date release with the system. There is a flat rate charge using Sega's service to play opponents anywhere in Japan and each player must have their own copy of the game to play.

Sega will be offering DC users an as-yet-undetermined amount of free access to Sega's own online service, and users will also be able to purchase pre-paid access cards to gain access on an hourly basis. Sega will offer different contests through its service, including Collect Godzilla and an e-mail contest tentatively called Handkerchief Mail-Dropping Campaign. In this one (named after a kid's game similar to Duck Duck Goose in the U.S.) Sega will send special e-mail messages to selected members for the chance to win prizes.

The official Dricas site will have everything a player could want, including a member profile search so you can find other DC players in your area to play head-to-head against (although it's not mandatory to upload your information for everyone to see). In addition, Sega will be posting the latest Dreamcast news and gossip along with daily comics drawn by renowned manga artists.

Sega outlined four other network services it is planning to add to the Dreamcast home page:

Dream Map (by ZENRIN Co. Ltd.) - With this, you can locate DC users in your area for multiplayer games. You can upload your information or just see how many users there are in your area.

MailChum! (by RPA Corporation) - This provides you with an instant e-mail pen pal, from a variety of characters ranging from beautiful girls to mythical animals.

Daily DC News - Sega will e-mail a virtual newspaper to Dreamcast users including news as it happens.

Dream Flyer - Dreamcast's e-mail software. This is an original e-mail client that allows users to create a graphical or visual message to send to friends or family. Choose from different designs, postcards, or envelopes, corresponding to the tone of your message.

But if you have a Dreamcast, you do not have to be a member of Sega's service to get the advantages its offering. If you so choose, you can alternatively connect using your own outside Internet service provider (ISP).