Global link a boost for online gamers
A new feature offers online gamers a chance to link up with people from around the world.
The video-game platform Xbox will launch Live Video Chat, which connects people from different cultural backgrounds and who speak different languages, in Japan later this month. But no date has been scheduled for its Hong Kong debut.
Live Video Chat is one of the new features of the Xbox Live online gaming service.
The service, which was launched in the United States two years ago, was introduced in Hong Kong in April this year.
At present, there are about one million registered users from 24 countries, including Hong Kong, who use the service.
With a broadband connection, Live Video Chat allow gamers to play as well as talk directly with their counterparts by using a headset.
With this latest offering, gamers can also download classic games such as Pac-man and Bejewelled.
They will also be able to play mahjong games through another new feature, Xbox Live Arcade.
One of the new games to be released under the XBox Live online series is the popular soccer game FIFA Football 2005.
Players form a team and challenge others. The feature comprises 350 teams and league licences, and players can choose the advance career mode.
They can also customise their own teams and tournaments.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management and video game developer Microsoft will launch a competition to nurture talent for the fast-growing digital entertainment industry.
All programmers and developers are welcome to submit proposals of original gaming projects.
Outstanding entrants will be offered a chance to produce their own games at Xbox Games Incubation Centre - a gaming studio to be opened at Hong Kong Cyberport.
For more details, go to xbox.cyberport.hk
