25 years ago Sega figured out the internet with Phantasy Star Online

11 hours ago

Sega's early interest in online gaming stemmed from a desire to gain a competitive edge and leverage new technologies, beginning with the Sega MegaNet in 1990, which used dial-up with a modem.
The Sega Channel, launched in the mid-90s, used cable TV connections to deliver downloadable games and had a quarter-million subscribers but faced challenges due to cost and timing.
Sega Saturn's online efforts, like the Net Link, struggled due to high hardware costs, limited games, and a small user base, despite more support in Japan.
The Dreamcast was the first console with a built-in modem, addressing past barriers to online play, with ChuChu Rocket! serving as a key test for online multiplayer before Phantasy Star Online.
Phantasy Star Online (2000) was the culmination of Sega's decade-long online efforts, laying foundations for online console gaming and proving the viability of online multiplayer experiences.

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