Virtua Tennis 3 goes online

By Robert Purchese Published 6 February, 2007

In 360 version, first time ever.

You'll be able to play Virtua Tennis online 3 for the first time in franchise history on Xbox Live, SEGA has announced, when the game launches for the console in March.

Play in singles and doubles matches; in exhibition or tournament games; in ranked or friendly matches, or alternatively use new VT:TV to watch your friends and opponents slug it out.

"Virtua Tennis 3 on Xbox 360 is definitely the next generation of tennis," said Matt Woodley, creative director of SEGA. "We're striving to create games which not only have great gameplay but also can make the very most of the Xbox 360's amazing technology."

Great news for the series and 360 owners, then, not so for those of you planning to play this on PS3, which we previously learnt wouldn't support VT3 online matches.

Microsoft's version will also support 1080p, and each of the 20 tennis players involved in the game are set to look pretty splendid and move fluidly.

Ace your way over to our recent impressions of the game for more information.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (51) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Steroyd #1 5 years ago

    /runs for the hills

  • captbirdseye #2 5 years ago

    All we need now is for Virtua Fighter to be online.
    :D

  • morriss #3 5 years ago

    Great. :)

  • Errol #4 5 years ago

    OMG. ONLINE GAMING ??!!!!11WTF !!

    WHATEVER WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT ????

  • Rich72 #5 5 years ago

    better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

  • alpha-0ne #6 5 years ago

    nice thats decided which version i am buying ,i own both consoles

  • jmctavish #7 5 years ago

    Great! Virtua tennis with network lag. That's the next generation.

  • Eraysor #8 5 years ago

    Didn't we know this already?

  • Mordum #9 5 years ago

    Bit of a slap in the face for PS3 owners. Especially when you consider that PS3 games do/will cost more than games released on the 360. So the PS3 version will be more expensive, and have less features... something not quite right about that.

  • MadMirko #10 5 years ago

    Nice. Is it fun to play?

  • Xerx3s #11 5 years ago

    Microsoft's version will also support 1080p

    The first 360 game to do so innit?

    oh and: OMG!!one T3h Xb0x180 DOESN't SUPPORT 1080p!!!!one1

    EDIT: Btw, I thought that the online was announced ages ago. :/
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/07 @ 17:31

  • parm #12 5 years ago

    First time ever? I think not. The PC version of Virtua Tennis 1 had online play; okay, it relied on you knowing your opponent's IP address and anything slower than a 10MBit LAN rendered it nearly unplayable, but it worked, damnit. I know this, as I worked on the fucker.
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/07 @ 17:42

  • TheJanitor #13 5 years ago

    of course x360 supports 1080p. without hdmi :) big deal

    and tennis is that kind of game that i either play alone or with someone in the room. never online.

  • captainrentboy #14 5 years ago

    jmctavish what the hell are you talking about? Have you actually played VT3 online?? I'm guessing no,so then shhhush Mr negative pants, god damn!
    Annyway I didn't realise this was out in march, that's another frikkin purchase for moi.

  • Your_Dumb_Child #15 5 years ago

    I personally don't bother about online (gaming wise), i'd rather have a few mates round with a few beers and play something. Anyway judging by my XBL experience, the place is full of fucking morons.

    Online gaming is so over-rated.

  • nickthegun #16 5 years ago

    If there isnt a Jesper-esque spam character, this could be the live game we have all been looking for. Especially doubles.

    Balancing has been a real issue in sports games online. Jesper, Inter Milan..... its not massively exciting playing the same character 20 times on the trot.

  • stevencole7 #17 5 years ago

    Ha Ha HA.......No Online For The PS3

  • mkreku #18 5 years ago

    Does the Playstation 3 version support 1080p? If not, that would really suck :p

  • Steroyd #19 5 years ago

    Where the hell did that BS come from Mordum?

  • The-Bodybuilder #20 5 years ago

    >"Great! Virtua tennis with network lag. That's the next generation"

    What is it with you freaking people? Isn't it possible to be optimistic about an established franchise with online components? It's not the first online tennis sim, and there's no reason to be so friggin pessemistic.

    Unless ofcourse you want to be like the cool, negative people of EG.

  • Tomo #21 5 years ago

    Argh!

    I'm not listenening... lalalala, don't need a 360... lalalala

  • asphaltcowboy #22 5 years ago

    Well, I think the main point is lag is down to you and your shit connection/the distance to the other person you're playing with - nothing to do with the game... so... there. :p

  • thinktank #23 5 years ago

    I hate the new features their giving me in this game, because i will be forced to play them even if i dnt want to, grrrrr!

    I know! They should take them out, just because i don't want them means no one should have them, i abviously speek for every gamer!!!

    - This is the basic sentiment of the morons posting above.

  • Aretak #24 5 years ago

    "If there isnt a Jesper-esque spam character"

    That'll be Roger Federer then.

  • spongebob #25 5 years ago

    Yay! X360 FTW! HEllo teenagers!

  • DeeJay #26 5 years ago

    Nice one! The game was always a must buy for me anyway, but now? Well, it's still a must buy!

  • Mordum #27 5 years ago

    @Steroyd
    Could you elaborate?

  • Xerx3s #28 5 years ago

    of course x360 supports 1080p. without hdmi :) big deal

    You do know that hdmi isn't the only thing that supports 1080p, don't you? In fact other formats go way higher...

  • McDermotX #29 5 years ago

    Well,
    we know the PS3 version is rendered at 1080p (and below for lesser displays)
    The usual "supports 1080p" line for the 360 suggests the usual scaled 1080p output.......game is probably rendered at 720p like nearly all 360 titles.
    If this is not the case, it'll be the first 1080p 360 game

  • Calgon #30 5 years ago

    McDermotX: Yes its true that there are possibly only 2 games(unconfirmed I think I heard SC:DA was one of them I forget the other one) that are rendered at 1080p but a) Its not been long since this update was added b) 360 is just as capable of rendering at that res as PS3, infact not all PS3 games will be 1080p either and most multi-platform games have smoother framerates on 360 according to most reviewers *gamespot and 1up* so go figure. Its more than likely that the 360 is rendered at 1080p theres no good reason not too now... the upscailed 1080p games you speak of will be on 1-2nd gen games... a time when this was not an option. Honestly though even if I had a display capable of it Id prefer the bandwidth be used for more effects, better AA, higher framerates once devs start releasing the more demanding games(Multi-platform and lower budget games sure thing 1080p wont hurt).
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/07 @ 19:56

  • Ryze #31 5 years ago


    Once again for the haters (TheJanitor), here are the HDMI Xbox 360 details.


    [link url=http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=tcACuy4x8nA
    ]http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=tcACuy4x8nA
    [/link]

    [link url=http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/ 05/the-second-xbox-360-revealed-codename-zephyr/
    ]http://ww w.engadget.com/2007/01/05/the-s...[/link]


    So go ahead and pay $100+ for the UK PS3 offline version at launch alongside the $830+ for the UK PS3.

    Oh wise one.

  • citizenHUNTER #32 5 years ago

    So glad I bought a 360 now, even if in time the graphics on PS3 are that little bit better (all suggestions point to this being the case, but not to any hugely noticeable extent, and I'll not have a 1080p display anytime soon anyways), then having a good internet service that works, even if it isn't free, is better than a bodged together mess that PS3 online will be in comparison.

    I'm SO glad I have a 360 just for that. PS3 is simply too expensive anyway, but eventually I'll want one cos sure there's games that will be exclusive that I'll want, but the 360 catalogue is growing fine to me, roll on Halo 3...

  • bobbydavro #33 5 years ago

    It's a shame a japanese developers are supporting microsoft with online play over the PS3. Gaming becoming so gay i think it's time to retire and go retro.

  • Aretak #34 5 years ago

    "It's a shame a japanese developers are supporting microsoft with online play over the PS3."

    If you're a fanboy, I imagine that'd certainly be the case.

  • bobbydavro #35 5 years ago

    yea a sega fanboy.

    I give up on sega!
    Edited by 2 at 06/02/07 @ 21:05

  • JediMasterMalik #36 5 years ago

    Sony need to start thinking about situations like this. There should be no games which do not support online if they do on other platforms. Seriously Sony, sort it out. Although why they don't have online I do not know.

    Edit - Mordum, PS3 games prices are priced the same as 360 games, which is why your post is bullshit.
    Edited by 1 at 06/02/07 @ 21:15

  • McDermotX #37 5 years ago

    [link url=http://www.gamertagradio.com/vbportal/forums/s howthread.php?t=3403
    ]http://ww w.gamertagradio.com/vbportal/fo...[/link]

    According to the press release, SEGA are touting it as the first 1080p native game on the 360..
    "For the first time, Xbox 360 gamers can experience high-definition 1080p graphics on their console with Virtua Tennis 3"..
    Naturally, there is only are very small number of people who'll be able to experience this, but it flies in the face of MS claiming 1080p would only be possible on Live Arcade type games when Sony where singing its praises.......of course, the PS3 is already doing it on a few full releases with VF5's packaging also claiming 1080p rendering (should get it next week to verify)...

    [link url=http://www.ps3blog.net/wp-content/uploads/img_1004.jpg
    ]http://ww w.ps3blog.net/wp-content/upload...[/link]

  • spongebob #38 5 years ago

    Owning X360 must be a great substitute for sex.

  • pesser #39 5 years ago

    so this VT:TV thing is coming to uk aswell

  • stampax #40 5 years ago

    Not interested. After wii tennis, can't imagine ever going back to a 'normal' tennis game.

  • Mordum #41 5 years ago

    @JediMasterMalik
    Hmmm, just a quick check on Virtua Tennis 3 prices.

    Play.com: £49.99 (PS3) £39.99 (360)
    Amazon.co.uk: £49.99 (PS3) £39.99 (360)

    Is it just me, or are those prices different? and the PS3 version is more expensive... so how is what I said BS? Of course I made a typing error in my original post, when I referred to PS3 games being more expensive, because obviously not all of them are. But in what I said about VT3 still obviously looks correct.
    Edited by 1 at 07/02/07 @ 00:44

  • JackB #42 5 years ago

    Online is for people who aren't afraid of a little competition. And don't tell me online is full of morons. There is a mute button on your mike, plus if you're the least bit social you'll make friends.

    Then again a lot video game lovers, stayed inside a lot, didn't make friends and didn't like competition...

    Relax. Get online. It's fun.

  • Calgon #43 5 years ago

    citizenHUNTER: not that it matters but Sony themselves suggested that(obviously they would), everyone else is suggesting little to no difference(they will both have their strong points regarding graphics in the end) and they will make sure atleast some devs try and use Cell to improve PS3 graphics (we are talking a few extra effects but nothing special since it wont ever be as good as a GPU at them and it has many other tasks to perform which its not quite as good as Xenon at) but 360 has more than enough power to keep up with the PS3. Infact 360 has just as much chance of having better looking games(especially if MS decide to match the money and time Sony and its Devs are planning on spending on PS3 developement... PS3 has the CPU - 360 has the GPU) with its more powerfull and technically advanced GPU and better memory architecture... plus the 360 CPU(Xenon) was also designed in a way especially for 360 to give devs the option for using it with the GPU(via a 24GBs dedicated bus especially for this purpose, similar to how Cell will be used for graphics in the PS3... except 360 also has cache locking features and a greater amount of cache which could be very usefull for this... PS3 doesnt). Also remember that 360 hardware is more efficient, easier to code for(although if they really want to see what its capable of it wont exactly be easy... thats the nature of "untapped potential" as Sony put it) and has some the best tools around for developers(like I said earlier if they match the budgets planed for the big PS3 titles*2nd or 3rd gen titles - when theres no excuses left for Sony and people are comparing the games*, then they could easily get the upper hand).

    So really lets wait a while and the games will do the talking, it could go either way Cell might make that difference in visuals once devs have sweated enough bullets or 360 devs might really start to get to grips with the Xenos GPU using it the way it was intended and finding things they never imagined(or perhaps both of these scenarios will happen...).

    Even if 360 games do end up looking a little bit better than PS3 games, that doesnt mean the PS3 is crap(they are both powerfull consoles, thats a good thing) and there will be exclusives for both platforms which is a better reason for buying a console(services and features too if you ask me... Id buy both if I saw reason for buying both and had the cash).

    edit: I really must sleep now!
    Edited by 2 at 07/02/07 @ 01:49

  • jonsaan #44 5 years ago

    Great news!

  • DrunKao #45 5 years ago

    Thank you Calgon. I wish everyone would read what you wrote. They'd be smarter for it.

  • monkey-ken-wizard #46 5 years ago

    >Tomo

    Give in to your hate
    :)

  • Wash #47 5 years ago

    funny how in light of these kind of announcements, Online play becomes unimportant for fanboys.

  • Rambaldi #48 5 years ago

    "Online gaming is so over-rated"

    Perhaps, but so are many things that generate revenue.

    Victory for MS. End of.

  • valensi #49 5 years ago

    'ace' news!

  • ronuds #50 5 years ago

    So... why am I paying hundreds more for a ps3 again?

  • mike_mgoblue #51 5 years ago

    Playstation 3's online performance is very disappointing.

    It's a shame that games like Virtua Tennis 3, Virtua Fighter 5, and Tony Hawk Project 8 on the Playstation 3 do NOT feature Online play. The Xbox 360 versions of those games DO feature Online play.

    I also think it is a really bad thing that Playstation 3 does NOT come packed with a Headset, like the Xbox 360 DOES come packed with a headset. This means that third-party game developers are not motivated to include Voice-Chat in any of the games.

    For example, ALL of the EA Sports games and the 2K Sports games, and pretty much every third-party game on the Playstation 3 does NOT offer Voice-Chat when playing the game online.

    With the Xbox 360, ALL of the EA Sports games and the 2K Sports games, and the Soccer games, and virtually every other game features Online Voice-Chat while you are playing the game.

    I can't wait to talk to people online while playing Virtua Tennis 3 or playing Soccer!

  • JayeM #52 5 years ago

    I don't think Virtua Fighter 5 will be online on any console?