Dreamcast online functionality
Sega also predated Microsoft in pioneering the concept of downloadable content for games released on a console, though it was hampered by the small memory of the VMU.
[6][7] In Brazil, where the adapter was excluded due to the high price of the console there, it was sold separately for R$49.99 as the Dreamcast Link.
[14] To produce the modem, Sega partnered with Rockwell International through its semiconductor division, which was spun off as Conexant on January 4, 1999.
[23] However, it also had an unintended consequence of much faster Dreamcast GD-ROM copying, leading to a dramatic increase in game piracy towards the end of the console's North American lifespan.
[34] Its accompanying web browser, Dream Passport, provided the ability to connect via dial-up, browse the Internet, receive and send e-mail, chat with other users, and so on.
[36][37] On March 30, 2000, Sega announced that Dream Passport 3, which was due for release on April 29, would include an online rental service called Dream Library, where users could download and play emulated Mega Drive and PC Engine games; a small fee was charged daily throughout the rental period of each title.
[42] The service was temporarily suspended from January 27, 2001, to March 2001 due to Sega implementing compatibility with the Broadband Adapter through server modifications.
[45] Sega ultimately terminated the Dreamcast-dedicated portion of the isao.net service on September 28, 2007, officially eliminating the last remaining vestige of its ambitious plan for online gaming with the Dreamcast.
[50][51] Sega also announced a partnership with AT&T on August 4, 1999, making the AT&T WorldNet service the preferred ISP to connect the Dreamcast online in the United States.
[59] As a replacement for Sega's original PC-only online gaming service, Heat.net,[60] SegaNet was initially quite popular when it launched on September 7, 2000.
[61] Just over a month after launch, by October 27, 2000, SegaNet had 1.55 million Dreamcast consoles registered online, including 750,000 in Japan, 400,000 in North America, and 400,000 in Europe.
[62] This was somewhat surprising given that Sega initially set a monthly subscription fee of $21.95, relatively expensive compared to other Internet service providers (ISPs) of the time.
[67][68] Sega continued to operate the online game servers, initially removing the subscription fee for accessing them before reinstating it, albeit reduced to $9.95 per month, on November 1 of that year.
[74] The service was created and operated for Sega Europe by a partnership between ICL, BT and various ISPs; ICL developed the web sites and software, with BT providing the dial-up capabilities and network infrastructure,[74][75] and the ISPs (one for each country) providing the Internet dial-up connection and telephone service.
The service was initially available in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom; it was expanded in December 2000 to include Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
[81] On November 2, 1999, Sega announced its partnership with Telstra to develop an online service for the Dreamcast in Australia through regional distributor Ozisoft.
However, it was an ironic inconvenience as the consoles initially did not ship with Internet access discs; they were detained the previous week along with much of the other supplied launch software by customs officers for lack of information about the country of origin on the packaging.
[84][85] The network finally went live in mid-March 2000, with Internet access discs sent to registered Australian Dreamcast users that filled out a reply paid card shipped with the console.
[10][90] This caused much ire among consumers such that complaints were filed to the BBC's Watchdog programme and the Independent Television Commission (ITC) in the United Kingdom, accusing Sega of misleading advertising.
2, Sega Swirl, 4x4 Evolution, Quake III Arena, Maximum Pool, Planet Ring, Toy Racer, Starlancer, ChuChu Rocket!, The Next Tetris On-line Edition, PBA Tour Bowling 2001, Sonic Adventure, Alien Front Online, Worms World Party, Racing Simulation 2 On-line: Monaco Grand Prix, POD: Speedzone, Ooga Booga, World Series Baseball 2K2, Jet Set Radio, NCAA College Football 2K2: Road to the Rose Bowl, NFL 2K1, NFL 2K2, NBA 2K1, NBA 2K2, Internet Game Pack and Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon DX, with more games upcoming.
