At the Xbox Conference 2002 Summer, Microsoft focused on its online strategy in Japan. The beta testing phase of Microsoft's online service Xbox Live will begin sometime this summer. As already announced at E3 last month, the official launch of the service is scheduled for Fall 2002. The starter kit, which will include a 12 month subscription to the service, will retail for 6,800yen ($54.52USD).Furthermore, Namco and Idea Factory were confirmed to develop an online game for Xbox each. While no details were available about Idea Factory's project, Namco's Xbox game was referred to as a new simulation online game.
By the end of the year, Microsoft hopes to have several high profile online games available through Xbox Live, among them Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei Nine, Sonic Team's Phantasy Star Online and Koei's Crimson Sea.
