dEX: News: Archive: September 1997

The leading manufacturer of computer games applied for the patent in 1992 and registered it on Aug. 22 this year. The technology enables game players to shift viewing angles and is considered crucial in developing the latest computer games. Sega believes most games designed for game arcade machines by other manufacturers exploit the technology and violate its patent rights. It plans to ask major computer game producers such as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Namco Ltd. to pay license fees[Ed. Will be about 5% of retail price].

Sega Announces The Lost World Top

Sega has finally announced the release of The Lost World. According the PR, the game should be out shortly this month. However, it is shown as Oct. 3rd on the release schedule. Here are some snippets from the release:

In the game, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, for Sega Saturn, players are assigned the daunting task of reclaiming the island from the dinosaurs and sending them back to extinction.

Developed in conjunction with Dreamworks Interactive...adventure through 30 levels.

The game also utilizes "Morph-X" technology...animation cels resulting in fluid, realistic character movement.

In the game you will find the Compsognathus (Compy), Velociraptor, Tyrannosaurus, Human Prey, Human, and the Hunter.

Dural Specs Revealed Top

The header states all. Credits go to IGN for the info. I have not personally verified the specs. But going by previous information that I have (published on dEX or read about on official texts), I'd say this info is fairly reliable. Comments added are in italics. Here goes:

CPU: Hitachi SH-4 200 MHz CPU. Capable of 360MIPS, Probably 128bit internally, 64 bit external.

Graphics Chip: PowerVR2 (Highlander.) ~1.5 million polys per sec with full array of f/x.

Sound: Yamaha ARM7-based ASIC. Better than Saturn audio, 64 voice.

Main RAM: 8 Megabytes

Video/Texture RAM: 8 Megabytes

Audio RAM: 2 Megabytes

Caches: 8k instruction/16k data/128K CD ROM buffer

Communication: Modem card (possibly PCMCIA based)

Video Output: VGA and 640x240 anti-aliased RF output

Media: CD ROM: Custom dual format. Standard CD-Rom and proprietary dual density 1GB format.

Burning Rangers Details Top

Ok. This news is a few days old, but I never got around to putting it online. So here is the official release from SoA about Burning Rangers. I've edited few things, but the content is the same as the original PR.

Available: Spring '98
The world-renowned development team that brought you "Sonic the Hedgehog" and the hit 3-D game "NiGHTS" has a hot new game in the works. "Burning Rangers" will take players to the brink as they assume the role of one of five Burning Rangers, an elite search and rescue team. The Burning Rangers are called in when the danger is extreme and lives are at stake. Players will be thrust into several explosive missions which involve searching for and rescuing survivors and fighting fires and out-of-control man-made creations before the entire factory blows! "Burning Rangers" features expansive, fully explorable 3-D worlds, and includes detailed texture-mapped graphics and realistic environmental light sourcing. It will be available exclusively for the Sega Saturn in the spring of 1998.

Players have the ability to run, jump or fly with 360 degrees of movement
Game features two types of jumps -- one the player controls and the other an "auto-jump" feature that aids players automatically.
"Random Generation" feature changes location of survivors and obstacles after every play.
Utilizes Saturn's advanced VDP2 graphics chip for realistic transparent flame.
Fire is a "living" obstacle that is unpredictable and dangerous.
New Voice Navigation System gives audio cues to help find and rescue the survivors.

Sega to Develop 128-bit Machine Top

Yes, thats right, 128 bits. The new system will run on a 128-bit processor that is currently being developed by Hitachi. The system is expected to be at least 10 times more powerful than the Saturn. Also included is a built in modem. The OS will be some sort derivitive of the WindowsCE OS. The price? Under 30,000 Yen or about $250. Here's the full release:

Source: Nikkei English News

Nikkei English News via Individual Inc. : Sega Enterprises Ltd. and Microsoft Corp. are negotiating the joint development of computer games that will use a 128-bit machine for the first time, company sources said Saturday. The game will run on Microsoft's operating system, so that it can be played on both a game machine and a personal computer, the sources said.

The deal is expected to be signed in October. The two firms aim to develop an operating system based on Windows CE for use with the game machine. The machine is expected to sell for 30,000 yen or less, the sources said.

Use of the widely used operating system is expected to simplify the task of developing games for both PCs and game machines, thereby cutting the time and costs required and enabling the companies to offer a wide variety of game software at reasonable prices, the sources said.

The game machine would use a 128-bit microcontroller now under development at Hitachi Ltd. (6501) and would be at least 10 times powerful than Sega's existing 32-bit machine. It would also come with a built-in modem that will allow a user to compete with another player in Japan or overseas via a phone line, the sources said.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a $3.6 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at (http://www.sega.com).

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See individual games boxes for specific information.

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