Xbox and PS2 in online combat

Sony has looked to steal a march on Microsoft's plans for online gaming with its Xbox console, to be launched next Thursday [14 March].

Sony has said it will launch its own online services in the US this August. It is currently trialling UK versions of the service with cable operator Telewest, with additional trials due to start shortly.

Sony will start selling a network adapter for $39.99 in August.

Microsoft's Xbox has a built-in Ethernet port and the software giant has said it would begin to roll out online services later this year.

Microsoft has pitched its Xbox console, which has the advantage of a hard drive, as best positioned to take advantage of the online gaming capabilities that broadband high-speed internet access offers.

"The goal is definitely [to launch the online service] this year... we have about 27 publishers now committed to doing online titles and over 20 games in development. The servers are up and running," J Allard, Xbox general manager, told UK reporters.

"There's a lot of magic that has to go on behind the scenes. We've been actively developing for over 18 months."