TOKYO--Sega, Sammy, and Namco announced today that they will be working in conjunction to adopt and promote a network system board for arcade machines in Japan named "ALL.net" (Amusement Linkage Live Network). ALL.net will run on high-speed fiber-optic technology, making it a versatile and expandable system board that can be applied to many different products and uses in the arcade.

Sega, Sammy, and Namco explain that unifying the online system board for arcades will benefit all three of the companies in terms of development costs and market expansion. Many recent arcade games use an online connection for head-to-head play or Internet ranking. A unified network system also helps out arcade operators since they won't have to install different systems for each company’s products.

Games that are set to use the ALL.net system are:

Sega

• Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
• Sega Four Players Mahjong MJ Network version
• Sega Network Taisen Mahjong MJ 2
• Virtua Fighter 4: Final Tuned (July 2004)
• Quest of D (summer 2004)
• Virtua Striker 4 (fall 2004)
• Sega Golf Pro Network Tour (fall 2004)

Sammy

• To be announced

Namco

• Tekken 5 (fall 2004)

The three companies are also planning to adopt the Edy electronic payment system, allowing gamers to charge an electronic account before heading to the arcades. Players will pay with a card or mobile phone at the machine rather than inserting coins.