EA & Microsoft Finally Get It On-line

Microsoft's Pre-E3 Conference revealed that the stubbornly contested dispute over Electronics Arts' use of Xbox Live has finally been resolved, with the two companies agreeing to play like nice children from now on. Indeed, most of EA's future Xbox titles will now incorporate online play - it's just surprising that two of the industry's biggest players took so long to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Now that it's all sorted, Live subscribers will be able to indulge in all the usual licensed sports simulations, as well as games like Battlefield, Burnout 3, Goldeneye: Rogue Agent, Need For Speed: Underground 2 and, of course, Timesplitters: Future Perfect.

Quite how this will reflect on the success of Microsoft's own Xbox-exclusive range of sports titles remains to be seen. Up until now, the lack of any online functionality in EA's all-encompassing EA Sports range has enabled Microsoft to ensure a clear path for the introduction of new franchises like NFL Fever Pitch and NBA Inside Drive. Now that the two sports brands are on an equal footing, there's definitely all to play for.

Also revealed at the conference was Xbox Live video-phone functionality (similar to Sony's EyeToy: Chat) and a service dubbed Xbox Live Arcade. Aimed at the more casual/time-deprived gamer, Xbox Live Arcade intends to offer a range of low-priced classic arcade, puzzle and card games for download, from the likes of Atari and Namco - a couple mentioned being Dig Dug and Pole Position.

More from the mighty Microsoft when the show kicks off proper.