It's been a big year so far for HEAT.net. Fueled, in large part, by its partnerships with broadband carriers @Home Network and Road Runner (a joint venture between Time Warner, MediaOne, Microsoft, Compaq and Advance Newhouse), the online gaming service has doubled its total membership over the course of the past two months. SegaSoft's online gaming network has signed its one millionth member in fact, the company announced.

　　Membership through the two high-speed networks is growing at a rate four times faster than memberships garnered through other channels, HEAT says. HEAT.net surveyed its members recently, and found out that more than one-third of them now have or plan to obtain a high-speed connection within the next year.

　　To celebrate the one million member mark, SegaSoft handed out the "Millionth Member Prize Package" this week to a 16-year-old Ohioan who goes by the handle WarBladeDT on HEAT.net. The prize package include 150,000 Degrees, the network's frequent player points; one year of free Road Runner service; and free copies of games currently playable on HEAT.net, including Wages of Sin and Tales of the Sword Coast, forthcoming HEAT.net exclusives.