Gamers in North America will be able to play online games on the Xbox from 15 November, a year after the launch of the Microsoft games console.

The Xbox Live service requires a $50 starter kit that includes software, a headset microphone and a 12-month subscription.

Online gaming is widely considered as the next big thing, as it will enable gamers to talk and interact with other players, no matter where they are.

As many as a third of frequent game players already play online, according to industry figures.

Different strokes

Microsoft is hoping that online gaming will help distinguish the Xbox from Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube.

But the 15 November launch date gives a two-month head start to Sony. It is releasing an internet adapter for the PlayStation and related games later this month.

PlayStation2 also has online ambitions

Nintendo has not set a date for the adapters for its GameCube console.

There are significant differences between the type of online gaming offered by the three consoles. The Xbox will only work with broadband, while the other two consoles will support traditional dial-up connections.

In addition, the Xbox Live will be a closed network, with gamers able to connect to each other only through the Microsoft-maintained network.

Gamers can already go online with a program called XBConnect that allows you to play Xbox games over the internet.

Sony will leave others to set up and maintain the game networks.

Video game hardware and software sales exceeded $9bn in the United States in 2001.

Sales are expected to break that record this year, driven by competition among the three consoles and growing mainstream popularity of games.

Few analysts expect online gaming via consoles to attract a large following until the next generation of internet-ready consoles become available.