Verizon to Launch Free Gaming Service

Verizon plans to use the allure of a free gaming service as a method to draw more subscribers to its fiber-optic Internet service FiOS, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Called PlayLinc, the service would allow up to 32 gamers to talk to one another via voice or AOL Instant Messenger, as well as create private servers for invite-only games.

The telecommunications company previously acquired a stake in Super Computer International, which created the PlayLinc service. Verizon says moves like this are intended to help the company find new ways to generate revenue, as its traditional landline phone business continues to struggle.

In its most recent quarter, the company reported a 7.4 percent decrease in the number of landline phone customers over last year. The decline can largely be blamed on customers opting to use their cellular phone as their primary phone.

Gamers prefer faster Internet connections, as the "lag," or the delay between a requested action and its execution in a online game, is significantly less on faster connections. This gives the player an advantage, they say. Verizon believes serious gamers will find the speed boost in FiOS a good reason to subscribe to the service, which is competing with cable and DSL.

Verizon recently sponsored a tournament using PlayLinc as a test of the service. Results were positive, with praise for the private server feature.