US developers VR-1 believe online gaming for console owners is the future

Although Sony have announced the hardware specifications for the next PlayStation, they’ve been noticeably tight-lipped on the machine’s online capabilities. However, it is likely that PlayStation 2 will have the facility for online, multiplayer gaming.

Significantly, American online game developer VR-1 have just acquired two console game developers with a view to producing online games for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. The developers are California-based Devil’s Thumb and POW Games in Japan.

“The acquisition of Devil’s Thumb and POW is the first step in our bold strategy to become a leading player in the convergence of online and console gaming,” said Mike Moniz, president of VR-1. “We strongly believe that this convergence will transform online gaming into a mainstream entertainment by reaching a vast, previously untapped audience. We plan to be there at the outset by acquiring the talent, skill and expertise that otherwise would have taken us several years and many millions of dollars to develop internally.”