|1-Interactive Multiplayer - Part One Frequently Asked Questions List This is the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer Frequently Asked Questions list. It consists of the following four sections: SECTION 1 - 3DO Consoles and General Information SECTION 2 - 3DO Founders and Company information SECTION 3 - Hardware, Peripherals, and Specifications SECTION 4 - System and Application Software Each section answers specific questions about the 3DO, the 3DO company, and 3DO software and hardware. SECTION 1 - 3DO Consoles and General Information |1-What is a 3DO? A: The 3DO is, technically, a set of specifications created by the 3DO company, which is itself a partership of seven different Companies. These specs are the intellectual property of the 3DO Company, and are the blueprint for making a 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. Manufacturing companies license the rights from the 3DO Company to manufacture a system based on the 3DO Company's specifications. Software companies license the ability to develop software for the 3DO. The closest analogy is that of the VCR; The VCR *technology* was created by JVC, and any company can manufacture a VCR or VCR videocassettes as long as they pay a small royalty to JVC. The 3DO *technology* was created by the 3DO Company, and several companies have licensed the right to manufacture 3DO systems based on this technology. The 3DO Company itself does not manufacture 3DO systems. (Note: It's somewhat incorrect to state that VCR technology was created by JVC; things are a bit more complicated than that. For the purposes of my analogy, however, its close enough. :) Basically, a 3DO system consists of an ARM60 32-bit RISC processor as the general processing unit, with a graphics engine based around two custom designed graphics and animation processors. It has 2 Megabytes of DRAM, 1 Megabyte of VRAM, and a doublespeed CD-ROM drive for main storage. This is a simplified description of the system; See below for detailed specifications. Be sure to read the newsgroup rec.games.video.3do for ongoing discussions about 3DO software and hardware. |1-What can the 3DO do? "It will be more stimulating to the human mind than any new technology since printing." - Trip Hawkins A: The Panasonic 3DO system can run 3DO Interactive software, Play audio CD's (including support for CD+G), View Photo-CDs, and will eventually be able to play Video CD's with a special add-on MPEG1 full motion video cartridge. With its controller port up to 8 controllers can be daisy-chained on the system at once. A keyboard, mouse, light gun, and other peripherals may also some day be hooked into the system (although they are not currently available). 3DO Interactive software is a step beyond most current consumer multimedia interactive software. With its powerful cel engine, the 3DO can display full motion video, fully texture mapped 3-D landscapes, and other amazing visuals, all in 24-bit color. |1-What does the Panasonic 3DO system come with? A: The Panasonic REAL 3DO player includes the 3DO system with an RF output, composite video output, S-Video output, left and right audio outputs, and cables for composite video and L+R audio. The 3DO system contains an FMV port for attaching the optional MPEG1 full motion video cartridge (used to watch Video CDs), one expansion port, and one controller port. Up to eight devices can be daisy chained together on the controller port. The base system also includes one seven-button controller with 11 foot cable and headphone jack + volume control. The base system also includes two CDs: a 3DO sampler disc and the game CD "Crash and Burn." The sampler disc contains an intro to the system, demo programs, and information about upcoming titles. "Crash and Burn" is a high speed 3-D texture mapped racing-combat game. A manual, setup information, and promotional poster are also included. For more information on the Panasonic REAL(tm) Interactive Multiplayer, call (800)REAL-3DO. |1-Where can I get the lowest price for a 3DO? A: The retail price of the 3DO has recently been dropped to $499 (with many retail outlets selling it for $449), so make sure not to buy a 3DO somewhere that has not changed to the new price. Mail order outlets usually have slightly lower prices than retail stores, and may have it for less. Prices as low as $399 have been found. Ask on rec.games.video.3do for more info about finding the current best place to purchase a 3DO. |1-Is the 3DO a Panasonic product? A: No. The 3DO system was developed and designed by the 3DO Company, and Panasonic has licensed the right to manufacture the system from the 3DO company. Panasonic has little to do with the design of the system, they just build them. Panasonic calls their 3DO console the "Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer." |1-Who else is a 3DO hardware licensee? A: Here is a list of the current 3DO hardware licensees: Licensee Product Notes -------- ------- ----- Panasonic Home Console FZ-1 is currently released(1) Sanyo Home Console Planned release in August(2) AT&T Home Console Planned release in late '94(3) Samsung Home Console Planned release in Oct. '94 Goldstar Home Console Planned release in Jan. '95 Creative Labs PC Card PC card for IBM compatibles(4) Toshiba Portable Creating a car nav system(5) Scientific-Atlanta Set-top cablebox Interactive TV test for US Atari Games Coin-op Arcade Game Game(s) to be made are unknown Electronic Arts Coin-op Arcade Game Game(s) to be made are unknown American Laser Games Coin-op Arcade Game Game(s) to be made are unknown NOTE: All release dates are tentative and subject to change. (1) The Panasonic FZ-1 is the only 3DO console currently available. It has been released in the US and Japan, and a UK release is scheduled for Fall '94. (2) Sanyo has stated the Japanese release will come before the American release, which is currently scheduled for August. (3) The AT&T 3DO will optionally include a modem for networked games and communication. (4) For more information on the Creative labs PC card, see question 3.3 (5) Toshiba has announced plans to develop a portable version of the 3DO system that can be installed in automobiles. It is believed to be a car navigation system of some sort, and should be available in Japan in late '94. |1-I thought the Sanyo 3DO console was cancelled? |1-EGM says so! A: This is incorrect. A news article came out in November '93 saying that the Sanyo 3DO had been shelved, but it turned out to be false information. EGM picked up this story and printed it. Both 3DO and Sanyo contacted EGM to tell them the story was false, but EGM amazingly refused to retract their story. The information about the cancellation of the Sanyo 3DO in the March issue of EGM is incorrect. Sanyo has announced that they will release their own 3DO console in August, and at a price "lower than Panasonics." No specific price has been given. |1-What's this I hear about a "reduced" 3DO chipset? A: 3DO has re-worked their chipset to reduce the cost of manufacturing. The new chipset has no more or less functionality or speed than the previous one, it simply combines several chips into one to reduce the cost of making it. The new chipset should be available in quantity soon and is slated to be used in the new Sanyo 3DO. |1-Will each 3DO system be compatible? A: Yes. You will be able to run all 3DO software on any manufacturers system. However, each system can be customized to some extent by the manufacturer to add their own special features.. for example the modem on the AT&T console. |1-Will I be able to play current 3DO software |1-on the next generation 3DO system? A: Yes. Right now 3DO intends that you will be able to play current 3DO software on any future 3DO compatible machine. |1-Will I be able to upgrade my current 3DO console |1-to a next generation 3DO when it's available? A: Its not known if there will be the ability to upgrade current 3DO hardware into next generation 3DO hardware. Very little is known about the next version of the 3DO, and it is presumed that it is only in the early planning stages at this point in time. |1-Is the 3DO just going to be an educational system? A: No. While educational and informational programs are going to be an important part of the 3DO software library, there will also be lots of games. Trip Hawkins is said to love games, and the system was designed by game players almost certainly with games in mind. |1-Is the 3DO just going to be a games system? A: No. Childrens, educational, and reference/informational programs are planned to be a large part of the 3DO software library. |1-Is the 3DO the same as CD-I? A: No. CD-I stands for "CD Interactive" and is a system developed by Phillips Electronics. The two systems *are not* compatible and are totally unrelated. |1-Which system is better, the 3DO or the Jaguar? A: It isn't really known. Due to the bus design and architecture of the 3DO, the two systems cannot easily be compared. Only time and software will begin to show the different abilities of the two systems. People in the newsgroup rec.games.video.advocacy will almost certainly be discussing this issue. Check there for more information, but only if you are strong in body and spirit. :) System wars are well known for their ferocity. |1-Where can I ftp 3DO related files? A: the ftp site ftp.ee.pdx.edu (131.252.10.155) has 3DO related materials, including the latest version of this FAQ, in the directory /pub/gaming/3DO. New files can be submitted in the /pub/incoming directory. The administrator of the 3DO section is Shawn Baird (bairds@ee.pdx.edu). End of Part One