Sega in cahoots with the government? Apparently so, according to Minaduki, a Japanese games site, who suggest that Sega may be involved in a government funded project to create a multipurpose home terminal. The terminal is alleged to incorporate a video camera, voice recognition and a game console and will enable users to send email and make video-phone calls. Toshiba, NEC and Hitachi are all said to be involved in the project, which should surface this summer, if all goes to plan. Does it ever all go to plan?

Nintendo have been keeping themselves busy of late creating fantastic new websites for Zelda, Pokemon and Mario Party. Future Gamer’s favourite has to be the Zelda site, where you can even play an Ocarina. All you need to do is download the ThingViewer plug-in and you’re away. Heck, you can have a go at playing Zelda’s Lullaby - nothing will happen but it’s great fun. Be sure to type www.zelda64.com and not www.zelda.com

Sources within Sega have revealed plans to constantly upgrade the Dreamcast over the next five years. On the cards already are microchip implants, ISDN, RAM upgrades and a DVD drive. With this level of flexibility we really could be seeing an alternative to the PC at a fraction of the price.

Don’t get mad… cheat! Well only if you really have to. Latest additions to the Future Gamer Hints and Tips database include Thief: The Dark Project and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil on the PC.

Console craziness is afoot with the news of Koei’s horror adventure game, The Seven Secret Chambers: Frightening Smile. The Dreamcast title is actually the sequel to a popular Saturn and PlayStation game of yesteryear. This time around, a doctor has gone missing from his secret island laboratory and it’s up to his daughter and her boyfriend to investigate. The action takes place in realtime, and can be played by two players simultaneously. Let’s hope the game is as good as the name.