Microsoft Corp. plans to roll out its Xbox Live online video game service in North America on Nov. 15.
On that day, customers can buy a $49.95 starter kit available in about 5,000 storefronts around North America.
The kits include a one-year subscription, an Xbox headset to communicate with other players and a game, marketing director John O"Rourke said Monday.
Microsoft will also launch six games, including NFL Fever 2003 and Unreal Championship, for users. Users must have a high-speed connection to the Internet to use the service.
Microsoft will start testing of the online game service later this month with about 10,000 gamers, he said.