Starting on July 24 and ending on August 31, 10,000 lucky GC owners will get their hands on a trial edition of the GameCube's second online game, Phantasy Star Online III, CARD Revolution. Sega is asking all those in Japan with GC modem or broadband adapters to sign up for the trial run, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Of course, there are a few catches. They'll still need to fork over the ¥6800 for the game. Once the month-long trial period is over, the copies of the game will no longer work online. The saved games for the trial edition will not be transferrable over to the final retail edition that releases in Japan this fall, to ensure that everyone starts at the same level (though people who do participate in this program will receive a special gift, via the final game).

Sega of America has not announced any similar plans for a test run of this matter in North America, even though the game is due out here toward the end of the year.