On top of this, Dreamcast has one thing the PlayStation 2 would appear to be missing: a built-in modem. Multiplayer gaming has become hugely popular and profitable on the PC - so profitable and popular that Id are designing Quake III almost exclusively with the network mode in mind. If Sega build a user-friendly online gaming service, it could attract millions of gamers to the machine who have heard about addictive Quake deathmatch sessions but can't afford a PC. Multiplayer gaming could well represent the future of videogaming, full stop. And Dreamcast is in the perfect position to clean up.

But Sony could well be in for a rough ride without Sega's help. Considering all the advanced technology on board, can the company really put PlayStation 2 out at a competitive price? And even if it can, won't the incredible visual and mathematical depth of its games push up development times and costs, elbowing out small, innovative developers?

No-one likes a monopoly. Microsoft are currently engaged in a bitter legal fight with the US government over Windows 98, and there are huge factions of the industry that want to see Mr. Gates and his sinister Redmond cronies go down in flames. Monopolies are not cool - they are conservative and cautious. Videogames are brash and exciting, they demand constant technological overhaul. If Sony were to completely dominate the console industry, would it really be healthy?

At the moment, though, it is difficult to see the next generation PlayStation failing. As long as Sony don't confuse consumers (it's a DVD movie player! No, it's a games machine! No, it's a computer! No, it's... oh, forget it), and as long as there are a couple of good games available at the outset, people will buy it. In their millions. Don't forget though: there are other players in this game. Remember Nintendo?