Microsoft's Xbox plans under fire from games developers

Microsoft has come under fire from leading games developers in the US, just one day before the much-vaunted launch of its Xbox console.

They claim the company's online plans and its dealings with retailers are giving its in-house-developed games an unfair advantage over those of third-party developers - a move which echoes some of the anti-trust rhetoric of the last few years.

According to this morning's FT, the games companies are concerned retailers are being 'motivated' to sell Microsoft software with the promise of additional Xbox supplies.

They also believe Microsoft will force Xbox owners to log-on to Microsoft servers when playing online games, even though the games may not have been developed by Gates' company.

Microsoft has hit back, saying there is no link between retailers selling its games and getting hold of Xbox consoles, and that it has yet to announce its online plans.

We'll have more on the Xbox launch later today