Microsoft unveils new version of gaming network

By Marc Saltzman

April 27, 1998
Web posted at: 1:32 PM EDT (1332 GMT)

One of the world’s largest multiplayer gaming networks - Microsoft’s Internet Gaming Zone - has released the new version of its client software. So, why is this announcement newsworthy? In the Zone’s two-and-a-half year history, this is the first time Netscape users will be able to participate in the popular gaming network. Prior to this, only gamers using the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) browser could join in on the fun.

In light of Microsoft’s current legal troubles with the U.S. Department of Justice, most readers would probably agree this decision was a political one. After all, Microsoft recently launched its second newspaper campaign charging the government for trying to stifle innovation, and has also made other efforts over the past few months to appease the courts and improve its public image. In this case, however, the resolve to allow non-IE users on the Zone began over a year ago, with nine months dedicated to revamping and testing the software.

Ed Fries, general manager of the Microsoft Games Group, explains why Microsoft opted for Netscape browser support. “We want the Zone to be open to the largest amount of gamers everywhere…and this is the first step toward that”.

Fries maintains the Zone team was close to releasing a Netscape version a few months back by attempting to simulate an ActiveX plug-in for Netscape’s browser, but wasn’t pleased with the preliminary results. “We weren’t happy with the quality so we decided to go with a more ambitious approach." This enterprising goal was to extract most of the code out of the browser itself and allow the Zone to operate more as a stand-alone package, but make the transition appear seamless to the user.

Other new features added to the latest Zone software, dubbed “Z4” by the Microsoft Games Group, includes a rating and ranking system so players can compete for top positions. It also uses a smaller downloadable client (reduced to less than 1 MB from over 3 MB), and a more streamlined interface to make launching games easier.

The Internet Gaming Zone is only second to Blizzard’s Battle.net in number of registered gamers. The Zone jumped from 1.1 million users to almost 1.5 million in the past two months.

The majority of the Zone’s success can be attributed to the large variety of games played – from free classics like “Spades” and “Hearts” to exclusive retail game support for Microsoft, LucasArts and Hasbro Interactive CD-ROMs to online-only premium games such as “Fighter Ace” and the upcoming role-playing game “Asheron’s Call." Additionally, the Zone announced support for the popular “Quake II” and an exclusive agreement with author Tom Clancy and his software company Red Storm Entertainment to host multiplayer games of “Rainbow Six” and “Dominant Species."

Related stories:

• Microsoft presents antitrust appeal
• Microsoft 'monopoly' debated in Senate

Related sites:

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• Microsoft's Internet Gaming Zone
• Blizzard's Battle.net

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