TEN Unveils Game Lineup

Total Entertainment Network (TEN) just unveiled the first four titles in its new slate of what it calls "online-only" games, three of which are exclusive to TEN. These games, which can't be purchased at retail outlets and can't be played as stand-alone games, will be added to the gaming service over the course of the year. The first of these, an RPG called Twilight Lands, will be out in June, with an open beta test starting late this month. Eidos' flight sim Confirmed Kill will also join TEN, along with two as yet unnamed games - a hover-tank simulation and a space exploration combat game - later in the year.

All of these will also have open beta tests before they're added to TEN's paid service, which will allow non-subscribers to play the game while TEN fixes the final bugs. According to TEN spokesman Garth Chouteau, this method will help to make the outside world aware of the games. "None of these online-only titles will have a retail presence, except maybe on the TEN CD," said Chouteau. "This is a way to generate awareness and show off our top-notch content." He added that a game like Blood would attract new subscribers, but the online-only games would need exposure to give people reasons to join TEN.

Twilight Lands, which joins Dark Sun Online and Diablo, RPGs currently available at TEN, was developed by ICE Online as a first-person game with a persistent environment and support for hundreds of players. It was designed as a sequel to ICE's Majic Realm MUD.