During the German “CeBit Home” tradeshow on Tuesday, Interactive Magic announced plans to expand into the European and Japanese markets. Interactive Magic will launch iMagic Online/Germany, based in Gutersloh.

　　Initially iMagic Online/Germany will provide Warbirds, the acclaimed online multiplayer flight simulation, with the services of NetPlayer, an online gaming provider in Germany. The beta test phase started in July and charged membership will begin in October. The service will not only be available in Germany but Austria and Switzerland as well.

　　Interactive Magic also plans on expanding into Japan by the end of the year, but no specifics have been announced.

　　“Since the beginning of the year when phone charges dropped in Germany, the use of online services has grown substantially,” said Peter Hofschroer, general manager of Interactive Magic/Germany. “Germany has always been the second largest computer market in the world. We expected it to be the second largest market for online gaming. We have positioned iMagic Online/Germany to take advantage of the new gamers looking for a place to play.”