Yu-Gi-Oh! to deal online

Konami today announced that an online version of the card game Yu-Gi-Oh! is headed online in spring of 2005. The online service will let players compete head-to-head, chat, and trade cards across the Web. Special installation discs will be distributed through periodicals V Jump in Japan, Shonen Jump in the United States, Banzai in Germany (in January), and Shonen Jump in Sweden (in February).

The game, based on Kazuki Takahashi's comic first published in Shonen Jump in 1996, lets gamers duel each other using monster, spell, and effect cards.

The beta period launches December 18 and will be free of charge.

The franchise has spawned a multitude of branded products, including a television series and fast-food kid's meals, as well as several games across numerous platforms.