Multiplatform Multiplayer
We all knew it was coming, but now it seems like 4x4 Evolution, a new game from developer Terminal Reality and Gathering of Developers will be one of the first games to support cross-platform multiplayer.  (Quake 3 from id for Sega Dreamcast is also set to support PC vs. Dreamcast deathmatches).  In the case of 4x4 Evolution, which sounds remarkably similar to Monster Truck Madness, players on the PC, Mac, and Dreamcast will be able to compete against each other.  While the idea of a multiplayer racing game is perhaps not the most exciting concept for peer-to-peer gaming, I'm impressed that engineers are now able to let multiplayer gaming be platform-independent.  

Of course it remains to be seen if today's technology can support a sustainable and fast multiplayer experience between different platforms. If it works, look for cross-platform multiplayer gaming to become one of the biggest trends in the next 16-months, especially after PC-caliber consoles such as the PlayStation 2 and X-Box hit the market.  The line between PC and console will no doubt continue to blur.

Next Week
The Gist List looks at Sega.com, Duke Nukem Forever goes missing at E3, and much more.

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