3DO Interactive Multiplayer Frequently Asked Questions list
----------3DO Interactive Multiplayer Frequently Asked Questions list----------
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Interactive Multiplayer
Frequently Asked Questions List V3.0d
Maintained by Scott A. Krotz
e-mail: krotz@cig.mot.com
----------3DO Interactive Multiplayer 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.
This FAQ List was last modified on January 30th, 1995. The latest version
of this faq be found via ftp at ftp.netcom.com in the /pub/vi/vidgames/faqs
directory. Additional 3DO related materials can be found at 128.146.140.90,
including game screenshots and information from the TNT CES package.
Web surfers should check out Michel Buffa's video games home page, available at
http://www.essi.fr/~buffa/videogames.html, and Chuck McGinley's 3DO page,
available at http://zatharusta.cs.ohiou.edu/personal/mcginley/vidgame.html.
The 3DO faq is usually available at both web sites, sometimes in Mosaic format,
along with _lots_ of other 3DO and video game information. Special thanks to
Michel and Chuck for creating and maintaining these *great* video games pages.
================SECTION 1 - 3DO Consoles and General Information===============
[1.1] What is a 3DO?
A: The 3DO is, technically, a set of specifications created by the 3DO
company, which is itself a partnership 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.
[1.2] What can the 3DO do?
"It will be more stimulating to the human mind than any new technology
since printing." - Trip Hawkins
A: A 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 be hooked into the system (although they are not currently available,
except for the light gun).
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.
[1.3] 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. Other companies such as Sanyo, Goldstar, and Creative Labs have
also licensed the right to manufacture 3DO compatible systems. Panasonic
was the first company to manufacture and market a 3DO player, and their
player is probably the most well known one at the moment.
[1.4] 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-1/10 is currently released(1)
Panasonic M2 Accelerator Accelerator for 3DO consoles(2)
Sanyo Home Console Currently released in Japan(3)
Samsung Home Console/w MPEG Planned release in early '95(4)
Goldstar Home Console Now available in the US(5)
Creative Labs PC Card PC card for IBM compatibles(6)
Toshiba Portable Creating a car nav system(7)
AT&T Home Console Console plans cancelled(8)
Scientific-Atlanta Set-top cablebox Interactive TV test for US West
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 has been released in the US, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, the
UK, and Canada. The UK console is a PAL version. The FZ-10 is a new version
of the FZ-1 available now in Japan and the US.
(2) For more information on the M2 Accelerator, see question 1.12.
(3) Sanyo has stated the Japanese release will come before the American
release. The Japanese launch occurred on October 1st, 1994. The MSRP price
of the console in Japan is 54,800 yen, or about $550 US dollars. No dates
are currently available on the US launch, but it is rumored to possibly be
sometime in early '95.
(4) The Samsung 3DO console will include built-in MPEG decoding hardware. It
is tentatively set to be released in early '95.
(5) The Goldstar 3DO console has been released in the US and Korea at an
MSRP of $399. Goldstar plans to expand distribution of the 3DO system by
making it available through mass merchandisers and toy stores.
(6) The Creative labs 3DO blaster has been released in the US and parts of
Asia. For more information on the Creative labs PC card, see question 1.5
(7) 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.
(8) The AT&T 3DO was previously planned, and would have optionally included a
modem for networked games and communication. Their 3DO console plans have been
cancelled, along with their 3DO voicespan modem. (AT&T has decided to leave the
videogames market completely).
[1.5] What do the various 3DO systems come with?
A: Here is a break-down of what the various 3DO multiplayer systems contain.
NOTE: Any devices that attach to the AV expansion port (such as the MPEG1
FMV cartridge) are "motherboard dependent" and are not interchangeable
between players. Devices that plug into the controller port or high
speed expansion port are compatible across all 3DO players. Also,
up to eight devices can be daisy-chained on the controller port.
Panasonic
---------
Name: Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Controller: one included, with volume control, headphone jack, and 11 foot
cord.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: 3DO Sampler, Twisted, and Pebble Beach Golf. (PAL version
comes with Total Eclipse).
For more info call: (800)REAL-3DO.
Name: Panasonic FZ-10 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Note that the FZ-10 will require its own specific version
of the MPEG1 adaptor and M2 accelerator, it will _not_ be
able to use the FZ-1 versions of these products.
Controller: one included.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: Total Eclipse, and a coupon for a free copy of Gex, and a 3DO
sampler disc.
Misc: This is a cost-reduced flip-top version of the FZ-1. It was up until
recently available only in Japan. It is now available in the US. It
has the memory manager built in.
For more info call: (800)REAL-3DO
Goldstar
--------
Name: Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Controller: one included, with volume control, headphone jack, and long
cord.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: Shockwave, FIFA Soccer, and a demo photo CD.
Misc: Also includes a certificate to send in with a roll of film to have
your own custom Photo CD disc made.
For more info call: No Goldstar number is currently available.
Creative Labs
-------------
Name: Creative Labs 3DO Blaster (PC compatible ISA plug-in card) (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RGB via pass-thru connector on your VGA card, CD audio output.
Cables: Pass thru connector cable, CD audio connector cable.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2),
and one controller port.
Controller: one included (controller does not include connector for daisy
chaining other peripherals, but other 3DO controllers with the
connector can be used with the 3DO blaster to daisy chain
additional peripherals)
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: Shockwave, Gridders, and a sampler CD.
Misc: The 3DO Blaster requires an IBM compatible 386-25Mhz or above, 4 MB
RAM, VGA display adaptor with standard feature connector, a soundcard
with CD audio input connector, and a Panasonic CR-563 or Creative Labs
Omni-CD doublespeed CD-ROM drive (A Panasonic CR-562 drive may also
work, but that is currently not verified). Games can be played full
screen or in a window on your PC's monitor under MS Windows (software
to run 3DO games under DOS may become available in the future).
Although it has an AV expansion port for MPEG1 and possibly the M2
accelerator, these devices have not yet been announced by Creative
Labs. Also note that only the Creative labs version of the MPEG1
module and M2 accelerator would work with the 3DO Blaster.. other
versions will not be compatible.
For more info call: (405)742-6622 for technical info or (800)998-5227 for
dealer referrals.
Sanyo
-----
Name: Sanyo TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP 54,800 Yen)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Controller: one included.
Pack in CD's: ??
Misc: Currently available only in Japan. US Release date is unknown.
For more info call: No Sanyo number is currently available.
[1.6] Where can I get the lowest price for a 3DO?
A: The retail price of most 3DO systems has recently been dropped to $399, so
make sure not to buy a 3DO from 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 $299 have been found, but
only rarely and in small quantities. Ask on rec.games.video.3do for more info
about finding the current best place to purchase a 3DO.
An extra note: AT&T employees may want to check their local "AT&T Phone Center"
store, as you may be able to get a significant discount on a Panasonic 3DO
console there. This is, of course, subject to change, and its unknown when
and for how long this discount will be in effect.
[1.7] What's this I hear about a "reduced-cost" 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 now and is being used in the new
3DO consoles.
[1.8] Will each 3DO system be compatible?
A: Yes. You will be able to run all 3DO software on any manufacturers
system, and it will run at the same speed as other consoles.. no system
is noticeably slower or faster than any other. However, each system can
be customized to some extent by the manufacturer to add their own special
features.. for example the built-in MPEG decoder on the Samsung console.
[1.9] Will there be special PAL titles for PAL versions of the 3DO?
A: Yes. However, NTSC versions of 3DO games will be playable on PAL 3DO
consoles, although they may look slightly "crunched" due to the differences
between PAL and NTSC aspect ratios (PAL versions of 3DO titles will look
correct on PAL 3DO systems). Unfortunately, due to minor differences between
the PAL and NTSC 3DOs, some pre-PAL NTSC 3DO titles (such as Twisted, Crash n
Burn, and Way of the Warrior) crash on PAL 3DO's. Most should run, and all
new NTSC 3DO titles will be tested to ensure PAL compatibility.
[1.10] Can I play Japanese 3DO titles on my non-Japanese 3DO?
A: In most cases, yes. However, if a Japanese title requires the Kanji
character set that is in the Japanese 3DO ROMs, it will not run on a non-
Japanese 3DO. Fortunately, no Japanese 3DO titles seem to require this,
and there have been no reports of a Japanese title not functioning on a
non-Japanese 3DO console so far (other than the Japanese demo of "Alone
in the Dark.")
[1.11] Will I be able to play current 3DO software 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.
[1.12] Will I be able to upgrade my current 3DO console to a next generation
3DO console(through the FMV expansion port perhaps) when it is available?
A: Yes. The "M2 Accelerator" was recently announced, and will be an add-on
upgrade designed to provide current 3DO console owners with greatly increased
performance. The add-on will include a specially designed multiprocessor that
will include a custom PowerPC microprocessor, and may also include multiple
custom graphics and sound processors designed by 3DO. The PowerPC chip in
the M2 will be a derivative of the 6XX family (possibly the PPC602), and was
jointly designed by Motorola and IBM with input from 3DO and Matsushita. The
M2 accelerator will use the same operating system and development tools as
the current 3DO system, ensuring compatibility with current 3DO titles. Trip
Hawkins claims the M2 Accelerator will have five times the performance of the
Sony PSX, and should be available in late 1995. Pricing information has not
yet been released.
[1.13] 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.
[1.14] Is the 3DO just going to be a games system?
A: No. Childrens, educational, and reference/informational programs are
planned to be an important part of the 3DO software library.
[1.15] Is the 3DO the same as CD-i?
A: No. CD-i stands for "CD interactive" and is a system jointly developed by
Philips Electronics and Sony. The two systems *are not* compatible and are
totally unrelated. (This system also has no relation to the Sony-PSX).
[1.16] Which system is better, the 3DO or the Jaguar?
A: It isn't really known. Due to the design, architecture and software
philosophy 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.
[1.17] Sega has claimed in some of their ads that the 32X is 6 times more
powerful than the 3DO. Is this true?
A: According to Toshiyasu Morita, Technical Director at Sega of America,
Sega's claim of the 32X being six times more powerful than the 3DO is based
solely on the MIPS ratings of the two Hitachi SH2 processors in the 32X versus
the MIPS rating of the ARM60 in the 3DO. This comparison, however, does not
take into account the 3DO's custom graphics and sound co-processors (the 32X
has limited or no sound and graphics co-processing), additional memory, greater
pallete, use of VRAM, etc. Also, Sega's estimated MIPS rating for the ARM60
may be somewhat lower than the actual value.
With all systems, examining the games available for it reveals its true power
much more than any technical specs can. Compare the games on both the 3DO and
32X and see for yourself which you prefer.
[1.18] 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), please notify him of
any files you upload. Also, at the ftp site 128.146.140.90, various 3DO
screenshots and information from the TNT CES package can be found.
===============SECTION 2 - 3DO Founders and Company information================
[2.1] What does 3DO stand for?
A: Nothing, really. Some people have said it stands for "3 Dimensional
Objects," or "3 Dollars Only," (The current licensing fee per disc) but the
general consensus is that it means it is the next step after audio and video:
audio, video, "threedeo."
[2.2] Who developed the 3DO system?
A: Dave Needle and RJ Mical are named as co-inventors of the Machine. Needle
and Mical previously worked on the the design team of the original Amiga
computer, and on the design of the Atari Lynx handheld gaming system. The NTG
(New Technologies Group) company designed most of the 3DO technology/hardware.
[2.3] Who is Trip Hawkins?
A: Trip Hawkins is the founder and CEO of the 3DO Company. He is also the
founder of Electronic Arts, a well known software publishing company. Trip
is the driving force behind the creation and development of the 3DO.
[2.4] Who are the seven partners that make up 3DO?
A: Matsushita, AT&T, Time Warner, MCA, Electronic Arts, venture capital firm
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and the New Technologies Group(NTG). NTG
was previously a separate company but has now merged into the 3DO company and
no longer exists as a separate entity.
[2.5] How does the 3DO company make money?
A: 3DO gets a small royalty for each 3DO console sold (which they are not
currently collecting). They also get a royalty on each 3DO software disc
sold. The 3DO disc royalty is currently at $3 per disc, or up to 10% of net
sales, whichever 3DO chooses. Since 3DO does not directly manufacture the 3DO
consoles or software, it has little control over their retail pricing.
Note: An additional $1 Manufacturers Development Fund Fee has recently been
added to the per disc royalty fee to fund 3DO advertising, and to help offset
the costs of manufacturers maintaining competitive hardware prices. (Initially
the fee was $3 but has since been reduced to $1).
[2.6] Why doesn't 3DO release information on how many consoles have been sold?
A: Since 3DO does not manufacture the consoles, they _cannot_ give out
statistics on how many consoles have been sold without the consent of the
manufacturer. This is the confidential information of the manufacturing
company. Ask the manufacturer for sales figures, not 3DO.
[2.7] What about 3DO's stock?
A: In mid-March, 1993, 3DO (NASDAQ: THDO) entered into the stock market with
an initial public offering (IPO) that values the entire company at around $300
million. 3DO had an ongoing promotion offering 3DO hardware manufacturers two
shares of 3DO common stock for each hardware system shipped at or below certain
retail prices before Sept. 30, 1994, which has now been ended. In June of 1994
3DO completed an offering of almost 3 million shares of common stock to existing
and new investors to raise $40 million in capital.
[2.8] How do I contact the 3DO company?
A: Contact 3DO's public relations department at:
The 3DO Company
600 Galveston Dr.
Redwood City, Ca 94063
(415) 261-3000
internet e-mail: info@3do.com
The 3DO club: club@3do.com
3DO Direct: (800) 336-3506 (for more info see below)
3DO now offers a "3DO Direct" toll free direct order phone line for purchasing
3DO software, hardware, and peripheral products. To order call (800)336-3506
between 9am and 5pm Pacific time. 3DO merchandise such as T-shirts, hats,
coffee mugs, and watches are also sold.
============SECTION 3 - Hardware, Peripherals, and Specifications=============
[3.1] What Peripherals are coming for the 3DO?
A: Peripherals have been announced by Logitech and CH Products. Alps Electric,
Inc. has also signed on to create 3DO peripherals but has not announced any
products as of yet. Logitech is going to produce a mouse for the 3DO, and CH
Products an analog joystick. No release dates have been made public for either
product. A keyboard peripheral is also expected.
[3.2] Is there an external storage device coming for the 3DO?
A: Yes, a PCMCIA SRAM card reader is being readied for release for the 3DO.
This peripheral will expand the 3DO's NVRAM by allowing users to store games
to standard PCMCIA SRAM cards. The memory cards and card reader will be
manufactured by TDK and is tentatively set to be released in the first quarter
of 1995.
[3.3] Is there going to be a modem for the 3DO?
A: Possibly. AT&T was planning on releasing an add-on modem peripheral for
3DO consoles, but decided to drop those plans (and the plans for the Genesis
version of the voice-span modem). It is, however, possible that another
company will manufacture a 3DO modem.
[3.4] When will the MPEG add-on be released?
A: The MPEG video adaptor for the Panasonic FZ-1 3DO console is currently
scheduled to be released this winter for a price of around $249. Panasonic
has held up the release of the unit because of the lack of CD-Video movies.
The Samsung 3DO console will come with built in MPEG decoding and is scheduled
to be released in early '95. An MPEG adaptor will be available for the
Goldstar and Sanyo 3DO consoles, but no release or pricing information for
them is currently available.
[3.5] What hardware is coming, and when?
A: Here's a condensed list of 3DO hardware and peripherals, their manufacturer,
and predicted release date.
Product Manufacturer Predicted Rls.
------- ------------ --------------
3DO PC Card Creative Technology Available
3DO PC Card SCSI(rumored) Creative Technology unknown
Extra Control Pad Logitech for 3DO Available
Extra Control Pad Panasonic Available
Extra Control Pad Goldstar Available
FlightStick Pro CH Products Available
Game Gun American Laser Games Available
Mouse Logitech unknown
Mouse Panasonic unknown
SNES controller adaptor ? Available
SRAM Card and Reader TDK 1st Q '95
VoiceSpan Modem AT&T Cancelled
[3.6] Can the Panasonic 3DO control pad do diagonals? I sure can't get mine to!
A: Diagonal control was a problem with earlier versions of the Panasonic 3DO
control pad. Current versions from Panasonic have been corrected. Diagonals
can be done on earlier Panasonic 3DO directional pads, but it takes excessive
force. There is a simple solution, however, that allows diagonal movement to
be done easily. David Liu (davidliu@husc8.harvard.edu) says:
"One merely needs to partially unscrew the six screws which hold the
controller in place. Unscrewing only the three screws on the right side of
the bottom face of the controller three turns each restores much of the
control; loosening the remaining screws slightly can be used to tune the
sensitivity of the controller. The origin of the problem may be that the
rubber contact pad and the plastic control disk are pressed too tightly in
the factory-produced controllers, causing a slight warping of the rubber pad.
Loosening the two halves of the controller, however, remedies this problem."
Many thanks to David Liu for this quick and simple fix! Remember, although
this is a simple procedure, neither David nor I can bear any responsibility for
damage done to your controllers while attempting this fix.
There is also a slightly trickier and more involved method developed by Casey
Grimm that might be a better fix. It involves taking apart the control pad and
cutting a small part of the thumb pad. This fix can be found on ftp.ee.pdx.edu
for those who are interested.
When buying Panasonic brand controllers for your 3DO, make sure to get one with
red on the box. Those controllers are the version that have been diagonally
"fixed."
[3.7] Can I use Sega Genesis controllers on my 3DO?
A: NO! And attempting to use a genesis controller could damage the controller
and/or your 3DO! You _can_, however, use extension cords for genesis
controllers on your 3DO controllers to increase the length of the cable.
[3.8] The CD-ROM drive in my 3DO sounds a bit loud. Is it OK?
A: In all probability, yes. CD-ROM drives are louder than, say, PC hard
drives, and the loudness varies with each manufacturer. Many new 3DO owners
notice the noise from the CD-ROM drive at first, but then later get used to it.
In almost all cases, nothing is wrong with the drive.
[3.9] When is it OK to eject a disc?
A: CD-ROM drives use a laser to read the data, so nothing ever physically
touches the CD-ROM.. and also, CD-ROMs are read only. You can't damage a disk
or your console no matter when you hit eject. Some games, however, might store
critical NVRAM savegame data at specific points in the game. Be sure you're at
a safe place in the game before you eject so that you dont lose your place in
games that save your position or level.
[3.10] Help! My 3DO is broken! How do I get it fixed?
A: Check the warranty information that came with your 3DO, it should contain
a list of authorized service centers or customer service phone numbers. For
Panasonic 3DOs call (800) 545-2672 to locate an authorized Panasonic service
center, for Goldstar 3DOs call (800) 222-6457 (Push menu code for HiMedia) to
receive information on servicing your console.
[3.11] What is the resolution of the 3DO system?
A: The resolution displayed on screen is 640x480. However, the 3DO has an
internal resolution of 320x240 or 320x480, with each pixel being either 24-bits
or 16-bits. The 16-bit mode is almost always used for animations, while the
24-bit mode is used mostly for still pictures. There are no other resolutions
available. The internal resolution is interpolated into an anti-aliased
640x480 pixel display. The interpolation can be turned on and off via
software.
[3.12] Can the 3DO do real 24-bit color?
A: The 3DO can do 16 bit graphics with CLUTs(Color Look Up Tables) drawn from
24 bits, or it can do true 24 bit graphics.
[3.13] What does it mean when 3DO product literature says that the system
can "animate 64 million pixels per second?"
A: The system is capable of animating up to 64 million 16-bit on-screen
pixels per second. This is really 16 million internal 16-bit pixels
that are then interpolated as they are displayed on the screen to 640 by
480 pixel resolution, quadrupling the number of pixels displayed on screen.
[3.14] What are the detailed specs of the system?
A: The heart of the system is two Graphics and animation processors which
are capable of rendering up to 64 million texture mapped pixels per second
(interpolated). For sound a custom DSP is used to generate multiple stereo
voices and various effects including reverberation, doppler shift, 3Dsound,
and surround sound. The Graphics animation processors and the DSP are custom
designed by NTG, now a part of the 3DO Company.
The block diagram shown below is taken from an article on the 3DO system in the
Dec. 93 issue of Popular Science Magazine.
Graphics Graphics
--------- animation animation
| 3DO | processor processor
| block | |32|____________|32|
|diagram| |________ ________|
M --------- |32|
o _____|__|_____
n __ Video _______ 1MB ______| |____ 2MB
i __ processor_______ VRAM __32__| |_32_ DRAM
t | |
o | |
r | DMA |____ Expansion __ CDROM
| controller |_32_ Port Control __ Drive
| |
A | |___ Control __ Control pad
u__ D/A __ Digital ______| |_8_ Port __ 3d goggles
d__ Converter __ Signal __16__|____________| keyboard
i Processor |32|
o ______________________| |
| ______ _________ |
|32| |32| |32|
Optional Video 32-bit RISC _____ Math Co- ___ ROM &
Video --> Video Decomp Processor _____ Processor ___ SRAM
Input Port/plug
Specs:
-32-bit 12.5Mhz RISC CPU (ARM60) made by Advanced RISC Machines
(Roughly equivalent to a 25Mhz 68030)
-640x480 pixel resolution at 16.7 million colors
-Two Accelerated Video Co-Processors with the following features:
+ 25Mhz clock rate.
+ Capable of producing 9-16 million REAL pixels per second (36-64 Mpix/sec
interpolated), distorted, scaled, rotated and texture mapped.
+ Able to map a rectangular bitmap onto any arbitrary 4-point polygon.
+ Texturemap source bitmaps can be 1,2,4,6,8, or 16 bits per pixel and are
RLE compressed for a maximum combination of both high resolution and small
storage space.
+ Supports transparency, translucency, and color-shading effects.
-Custom 16-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) with the following features:
+ specifically designed for mixing, manipulating, and synthesizing CD
quality sound.
+ Can decompress sound 2:1 or 4:1 on the fly saving memory and bus bandwidth.
+ 25Mhz clock rate.
+ Pipelined CISC architecture.
+ 16-bit register size.
+ 17 separate 16-bit DMA channels to and from system memory.
+ On chip instruction SRAM and register memory.
+ 20-bit internal processing.
+ Special filtering capable of creating effects such as 3D sound.
-Separate BUS for video refresh updates (VRAM is dual ported)
-Super Fast BUS Speed (50 Megabytes per second)
-Math Co-Processor custom designed by NTG for accelerating fixed-point matrix
operations. (Note: This is *not* the ARM FPA)
-CD-ROM Drive with the following features:
+ 320ms access time
+ Doublespeed 300kbps Data Transfer
+ 32kbyte ram buffer
-2 megabytes of DRAM
-1 megabyte of VRAM (also capable of holding/executing code and data)
-1 megabyte of ROM
-36 Separate DMA Channels for fast data processing and efficient bus usage
-2 expansion ports:
+ 1 High-speed 68 pin x 1 AV I/O port (for FMV cartridge)
+ 1 High-speed 30 pin x 1 I/O expansion port
-1 Control port, capable of daisy chaining together up to 8 peripherals
-Multitasking 32-bit Operating System
-16-bit Stereo Sound
-44.1KHz Sound Sampling Rate
-Fully Supports Dolby(tm) Surround Sound
-32kb battery backed up SRAM
-Upgradable (The PowerPC M2 accelerator is coming in late '95)
==================SECTION 4 - System and Application Software==================
[4.1] What about the 3DO operating system?
A: The 3DO OS is a fully-featured 32-bit multitasking operating system written
specifically for the 3DO by NTG. Developers *must* use the OS for a variety of
reasons, the main one being to maintain compatibility with all 3DO consoles and
future next generation 3DO consoles. The OS is loaded from an application's CD
when the system starts up, and is not in the consoles ROM. Contrary to rumors,
there is no way to completely bypass the OS and "hack" directly on the hardware.
The 3DO OS consists of two parts:
1) A multitasking kernel with drivers for peripherals, a complete file system,
and support for physical storage.
2) Several software "folios" that provide a link between application software
and the 3DO hardware, and are designed to allow software compatibility as new
versions of the hardware are developed. The following six subsystems make up
the entire "Portfolio" of 3DO OS system calls:
The Decompression Folio
- supports software and hardware decompression of audio and video data.
The Math Folio
- performs many of the high level calculations.
The Graphics Folio
- provides access to the 3DO's cel and display subsystems for doing graphics
effects and animation. The effects include warping, transparency, lighting
effects, anti-aliasing, and texture mapping.
The 3-D Folio
- system code for creating 3-D effects and doing complex calculations.
The Audio Folio
- supports the creation and manipulation of sound effects and music. This
includes proprietary algorithms called "3D audio imaging" that create the
illusion of sound coming not only from the left and right, but front and
back (when wearing headphones). These algorithms can also produce Doppler
effects and reverberations.
The File System Folio
- manages the file system
[4.2] How is 3DO application software developed?
A: 3DO Software is developed on high-end Macintosh computers via an easy to
use toolkit and development station created by the 3DO Company. The
development station consists of a special 3DO that has several debugging
features and is interfaced to the Macintosh computer. The toolkit contains
emulation software and programming and authoring tools that include a source
level debugger, compiler, linker, assembler, various libraries, custom
plug-in's, 2D animation and imaging software, 3D modeling software, and video
and file translation tools as well as Macromedia's Director, MacroModel, and
Three-D (the macromedia s/w and extractor are sold separately). Software
licensees can get a vast "content library" from the 3DO partners: 190 CDs
carrying 111 gigabytes of music, sound effects, photos, film clips, clip art,
and text references, all available to knit into their work. (This is also
sold separately - $995 for vol 1 and $495 for vol 2)
[4.3] How much does the development system cost?
A: The Development environment costs about $9500 and comes with the special
3DO that interfaces with a Mac Quadra via an optical link cable, along with
the Software tools and documentation. An optional development environment
comes with a development card (which has the same functionality as the full
development 3DO system except for no CD drive) instead of the special 3DO,
and costs about $6000. (The development card is a nubus card for Macintosh
computers). A PC programming environment is coming soon from Cross Products.
[4.4] How do I become a 3DO developer?
A: For information on becoming a 3DO developer, call the 3DO New Developer
INFO Line at (415)261-3202.
[4.5] Will 3DO software be censored at all?
A: No.
[4.6] Will 3DO software have a ratings system of some kind?
A: Yes, at the current time 3DO is going to have an optional rating system
that will be administered by the software publisher. The publisher will
determine what audience is suitable for their title, and then place the
appropriate rating on it. The ratings are as follows:
A green circle with an "E" in it: Everyone, suitable for all ages.
A yellow diamond with a "12" in it: Games suitable for persons 12 and up.
A yellow diamond with a "17" in it: Games suitable for persons 17 and up.
A red octagon with "AO" in it: Adults Only.
[4.7] Who is developing software for the 3DO?
A: Reportedly nearly 700 companies are licensed 3DO developers, with more than
550 third-party development systems installed and 200 software companies
worldwide actively developing titles. Some of the more well known companies
developing for the 3DO are Electronic Arts, Origin, Virgin Games, Dynamix,
Konami, Capcom, Interplay, Crystal Dynamics, Psygnosis, and Microprose.
[4.8] Sometimes I hear "popping" and "clicking" noises while playing Crash and
Burn and other games. Is something wrong with my 3DO?
A: In all probability, nothing is wrong with your 3DO. There was a bug in
the 3DO OS's audio library that caused a clicking sound sometimes when audio
samples were played. This can be heard in earlier games like "Crash & Burn"
and "Total Eclipse." The bug has been fixed and should only be present in
early 3DO games. However, incorrectly sampled sounds and playback problems
can also cause audio "pops" which are sometimes heard even in games without
the OS bug. Popping noises can also be caused by certain audio setups.
[4.9] Ive heard rumors that "early" Panasonic 3DO consoles may not run certain
games correctly, possibly having sound problems.. is this true?
A: No. This rumor popped up but has never been proven. It dealt with "flat
black speckled topped 3DO's" versus "glossy black speckled topped 3DO's," one
of which was a newer version of the Panasonic 3DO. Many people, including me,
have very early 3DO's (bought within the first two weeks of release) and have
encountered no problems.
[4.10] How is the 3DO's NVRAM structured? And what can I do if I have problems
with it?
A: The 3DO's non-volatile static ram is structured like a file system. It
cannot be written to directly by an application, OS calls _must_ be used
to read, write, create, or delete files in the NVRAM. Any program, however,
can read, modify, or delete any other programs files if it wishes too. 3DO
strongly suggests developers not write software that deletes other programs
files without the permission of the user.
If you have problems with your NVRAM, such as problems saving or loading files
from it, you should use the memory manager software supplied with your
system to correct the problem. For those who do not have the 3DO memory
manager software, you can get it by purchasing the 3DO Interactive Sampler
#2. Early Panasonic 3DO owners can get the memory manager software free from
Panasonic by doing the following: have the serial number of your 3DO handy,
and call Panasonic at (201)348-9090. Tell them you are a 3DO owner and need
the 3DO combined demo disk/memory manager. If the person you get doesn't know
what you are talking about, make sure they take down your address and have them
ask their supervisor for more information.
[4.11] Hey! I played The Horde, saved a game, and now all of my other non-Horde
saved games in NVRAM are gone! What happened?
A: The first version of The Horde deleted all other non-horde saved games in
NVRAM when you saved a game. Amazingly, this was not a bug.. the game was
designed to do this to give players the maximum amount of ram for Horde saved
games! Crystal Dynamics is aware that this is a problem for most people and
will allow you to exchange your NVRAM devouring copy of the horde, should
you happen to get one, for the latest one (with less of an appetite). To do
so, follow these directions from Crystal Dynamics:
UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box . Please _mail_ your
Horde (3DO) CD along with the 3"x5" index card or piece of
paper with your name and full street address to:
Crystal Dynamics
P.O. Box 7046
San Francisco, CA 94120-9324
The new version will only allow you to save four games, and will allow you
to delete NVRAM files when it is full. For more information about the new
version, call the Crystal Dynamics Customer Service line at (415)473-3434.
===============================================================================
This has been the 3DO Frequently asked questions list. It is maintained
by Scott A. Krotz, krotz@cig.mot.com. Although I attempt to keep the FAQ
as accurate as possible, some information may be incorrect. I have no
affiliation with the 3DO Company other than being a satisfied customer and the
information in this FAQ should not be taken as an official statement from the
3DO Company.
Special thanks to Blake Stone, Enrique Conty, Alan Glass, and all of the
friendly folks at 3DO who helped in creating and maintaining this list. The
information and help provided by these people has been a great assistance in
making this list as complete and correct as possible. Thanks also to Michel
Buffa for his great work in creating a Mosaic version of the faq.
Send all corrections, comments, and ideas for additions to me, Scott Krotz
at krotz@cig.mot.com.
===============================================================================
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33 DD DD OO OO
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3333333 DDDDDD OOOOOO
333333 DDDD OOOO
Interactive Multiplayer
Frequently Asked Questions List V3.0d
Maintained by Scott A. Krotz
e-mail: krotz@cig.mot.com
----------3DO Interactive Multiplayer 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.
This FAQ List was last modified on January 30th, 1995. The latest version
of this faq be found via ftp at ftp.netcom.com in the /pub/vi/vidgames/faqs
directory. Additional 3DO related materials can be found at 128.146.140.90,
including game screenshots and information from the TNT CES package.
Web surfers should check out Michel Buffa's video games home page, available at
http://www.essi.fr/~buffa/videogames.html, and Chuck McGinley's 3DO page,
available at http://zatharusta.cs.ohiou.edu/personal/mcginley/vidgame.html.
The 3DO faq is usually available at both web sites, sometimes in Mosaic format,
along with _lots_ of other 3DO and video game information. Special thanks to
Michel and Chuck for creating and maintaining these *great* video games pages.
================SECTION 1 - 3DO Consoles and General Information===============
[1.1] What is a 3DO?
A: The 3DO is, technically, a set of specifications created by the 3DO
company, which is itself a partnership 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.
[1.2] What can the 3DO do?
"It will be more stimulating to the human mind than any new technology
since printing." - Trip Hawkins
A: A 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 be hooked into the system (although they are not currently available,
except for the light gun).
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.
[1.3] 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. Other companies such as Sanyo, Goldstar, and Creative Labs have
also licensed the right to manufacture 3DO compatible systems. Panasonic
was the first company to manufacture and market a 3DO player, and their
player is probably the most well known one at the moment.
[1.4] 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-1/10 is currently released(1)
Panasonic M2 Accelerator Accelerator for 3DO consoles(2)
Sanyo Home Console Currently released in Japan(3)
Samsung Home Console/w MPEG Planned release in early '95(4)
Goldstar Home Console Now available in the US(5)
Creative Labs PC Card PC card for IBM compatibles(6)
Toshiba Portable Creating a car nav system(7)
AT&T Home Console Console plans cancelled(8)
Scientific-Atlanta Set-top cablebox Interactive TV test for US West
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 has been released in the US, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, the
UK, and Canada. The UK console is a PAL version. The FZ-10 is a new version
of the FZ-1 available now in Japan and the US.
(2) For more information on the M2 Accelerator, see question 1.12.
(3) Sanyo has stated the Japanese release will come before the American
release. The Japanese launch occurred on October 1st, 1994. The MSRP price
of the console in Japan is 54,800 yen, or about $550 US dollars. No dates
are currently available on the US launch, but it is rumored to possibly be
sometime in early '95.
(4) The Samsung 3DO console will include built-in MPEG decoding hardware. It
is tentatively set to be released in early '95.
(5) The Goldstar 3DO console has been released in the US and Korea at an
MSRP of $399. Goldstar plans to expand distribution of the 3DO system by
making it available through mass merchandisers and toy stores.
(6) The Creative labs 3DO blaster has been released in the US and parts of
Asia. For more information on the Creative labs PC card, see question 1.5
(7) 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.
(8) The AT&T 3DO was previously planned, and would have optionally included a
modem for networked games and communication. Their 3DO console plans have been
cancelled, along with their 3DO voicespan modem. (AT&T has decided to leave the
videogames market completely).
[1.5] What do the various 3DO systems come with?
A: Here is a break-down of what the various 3DO multiplayer systems contain.
NOTE: Any devices that attach to the AV expansion port (such as the MPEG1
FMV cartridge) are "motherboard dependent" and are not interchangeable
between players. Devices that plug into the controller port or high
speed expansion port are compatible across all 3DO players. Also,
up to eight devices can be daisy-chained on the controller port.
Panasonic
---------
Name: Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Controller: one included, with volume control, headphone jack, and 11 foot
cord.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: 3DO Sampler, Twisted, and Pebble Beach Golf. (PAL version
comes with Total Eclipse).
For more info call: (800)REAL-3DO.
Name: Panasonic FZ-10 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Note that the FZ-10 will require its own specific version
of the MPEG1 adaptor and M2 accelerator, it will _not_ be
able to use the FZ-1 versions of these products.
Controller: one included.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: Total Eclipse, and a coupon for a free copy of Gex, and a 3DO
sampler disc.
Misc: This is a cost-reduced flip-top version of the FZ-1. It was up until
recently available only in Japan. It is now available in the US. It
has the memory manager built in.
For more info call: (800)REAL-3DO
Goldstar
--------
Name: Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Controller: one included, with volume control, headphone jack, and long
cord.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: Shockwave, FIFA Soccer, and a demo photo CD.
Misc: Also includes a certificate to send in with a roll of film to have
your own custom Photo CD disc made.
For more info call: No Goldstar number is currently available.
Creative Labs
-------------
Name: Creative Labs 3DO Blaster (PC compatible ISA plug-in card) (MSRP $399)
Outputs: RGB via pass-thru connector on your VGA card, CD audio output.
Cables: Pass thru connector cable, CD audio connector cable.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2),
and one controller port.
Controller: one included (controller does not include connector for daisy
chaining other peripherals, but other 3DO controllers with the
connector can be used with the 3DO blaster to daisy chain
additional peripherals)
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Pack in CD's: Shockwave, Gridders, and a sampler CD.
Misc: The 3DO Blaster requires an IBM compatible 386-25Mhz or above, 4 MB
RAM, VGA display adaptor with standard feature connector, a soundcard
with CD audio input connector, and a Panasonic CR-563 or Creative Labs
Omni-CD doublespeed CD-ROM drive (A Panasonic CR-562 drive may also
work, but that is currently not verified). Games can be played full
screen or in a window on your PC's monitor under MS Windows (software
to run 3DO games under DOS may become available in the future).
Although it has an AV expansion port for MPEG1 and possibly the M2
accelerator, these devices have not yet been announced by Creative
Labs. Also note that only the Creative labs version of the MPEG1
module and M2 accelerator would work with the 3DO Blaster.. other
versions will not be compatible.
For more info call: (405)742-6622 for technical info or (800)998-5227 for
dealer referrals.
Sanyo
-----
Name: Sanyo TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (MSRP 54,800 Yen)
Outputs: RF output, composite video output, S-video output, left and right
audio outputs.
Cables: RF, composite video, L+R audio cables.
Expansion Ports: One AV expansion port for adding the optional MPEG1
full motion video cartridge (and possibly the M2).
One high speed expansion port, and one controller port.
Save Game Memory: 32kb SRAM (battery backed up)
Controller: one included.
Pack in CD's: ??
Misc: Currently available only in Japan. US Release date is unknown.
For more info call: No Sanyo number is currently available.
[1.6] Where can I get the lowest price for a 3DO?
A: The retail price of most 3DO systems has recently been dropped to $399, so
make sure not to buy a 3DO from 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 $299 have been found, but
only rarely and in small quantities. Ask on rec.games.video.3do for more info
about finding the current best place to purchase a 3DO.
An extra note: AT&T employees may want to check their local "AT&T Phone Center"
store, as you may be able to get a significant discount on a Panasonic 3DO
console there. This is, of course, subject to change, and its unknown when
and for how long this discount will be in effect.
[1.7] What's this I hear about a "reduced-cost" 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 now and is being used in the new
3DO consoles.
[1.8] Will each 3DO system be compatible?
A: Yes. You will be able to run all 3DO software on any manufacturers
system, and it will run at the same speed as other consoles.. no system
is noticeably slower or faster than any other. However, each system can
be customized to some extent by the manufacturer to add their own special
features.. for example the built-in MPEG decoder on the Samsung console.
[1.9] Will there be special PAL titles for PAL versions of the 3DO?
A: Yes. However, NTSC versions of 3DO games will be playable on PAL 3DO
consoles, although they may look slightly "crunched" due to the differences
between PAL and NTSC aspect ratios (PAL versions of 3DO titles will look
correct on PAL 3DO systems). Unfortunately, due to minor differences between
the PAL and NTSC 3DOs, some pre-PAL NTSC 3DO titles (such as Twisted, Crash n
Burn, and Way of the Warrior) crash on PAL 3DO's. Most should run, and all
new NTSC 3DO titles will be tested to ensure PAL compatibility.
[1.10] Can I play Japanese 3DO titles on my non-Japanese 3DO?
A: In most cases, yes. However, if a Japanese title requires the Kanji
character set that is in the Japanese 3DO ROMs, it will not run on a non-
Japanese 3DO. Fortunately, no Japanese 3DO titles seem to require this,
and there have been no reports of a Japanese title not functioning on a
non-Japanese 3DO console so far (other than the Japanese demo of "Alone
in the Dark.")
[1.11] Will I be able to play current 3DO software 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.
[1.12] Will I be able to upgrade my current 3DO console to a next generation
3DO console(through the FMV expansion port perhaps) when it is available?
A: Yes. The "M2 Accelerator" was recently announced, and will be an add-on
upgrade designed to provide current 3DO console owners with greatly increased
performance. The add-on will include a specially designed multiprocessor that
will include a custom PowerPC microprocessor, and may also include multiple
custom graphics and sound processors designed by 3DO. The PowerPC chip in
the M2 will be a derivative of the 6XX family (possibly the PPC602), and was
jointly designed by Motorola and IBM with input from 3DO and Matsushita. The
M2 accelerator will use the same operating system and development tools as
the current 3DO system, ensuring compatibility with current 3DO titles. Trip
Hawkins claims the M2 Accelerator will have five times the performance of the
Sony PSX, and should be available in late 1995. Pricing information has not
yet been released.
[1.13] 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.
[1.14] Is the 3DO just going to be a games system?
A: No. Childrens, educational, and reference/informational programs are
planned to be an important part of the 3DO software library.
[1.15] Is the 3DO the same as CD-i?
A: No. CD-i stands for "CD interactive" and is a system jointly developed by
Philips Electronics and Sony. The two systems *are not* compatible and are
totally unrelated. (This system also has no relation to the Sony-PSX).
[1.16] Which system is better, the 3DO or the Jaguar?
A: It isn't really known. Due to the design, architecture and software
philosophy 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.
[1.17] Sega has claimed in some of their ads that the 32X is 6 times more
powerful than the 3DO. Is this true?
A: According to Toshiyasu Morita, Technical Director at Sega of America,
Sega's claim of the 32X being six times more powerful than the 3DO is based
solely on the MIPS ratings of the two Hitachi SH2 processors in the 32X versus
the MIPS rating of the ARM60 in the 3DO. This comparison, however, does not
take into account the 3DO's custom graphics and sound co-processors (the 32X
has limited or no sound and graphics co-processing), additional memory, greater
pallete, use of VRAM, etc. Also, Sega's estimated MIPS rating for the ARM60
may be somewhat lower than the actual value.
With all systems, examining the games available for it reveals its true power
much more than any technical specs can. Compare the games on both the 3DO and
32X and see for yourself which you prefer.
[1.18] 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), please notify him of
any files you upload. Also, at the ftp site 128.146.140.90, various 3DO
screenshots and information from the TNT CES package can be found.
===============SECTION 2 - 3DO Founders and Company information================
[2.1] What does 3DO stand for?
A: Nothing, really. Some people have said it stands for "3 Dimensional
Objects," or "3 Dollars Only," (The current licensing fee per disc) but the
general consensus is that it means it is the next step after audio and video:
audio, video, "threedeo."
[2.2] Who developed the 3DO system?
A: Dave Needle and RJ Mical are named as co-inventors of the Machine. Needle
and Mical previously worked on the the design team of the original Amiga
computer, and on the design of the Atari Lynx handheld gaming system. The NTG
(New Technologies Group) company designed most of the 3DO technology/hardware.
[2.3] Who is Trip Hawkins?
A: Trip Hawkins is the founder and CEO of the 3DO Company. He is also the
founder of Electronic Arts, a well known software publishing company. Trip
is the driving force behind the creation and development of the 3DO.
[2.4] Who are the seven partners that make up 3DO?
A: Matsushita, AT&T, Time Warner, MCA, Electronic Arts, venture capital firm
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and the New Technologies Group(NTG). NTG
was previously a separate company but has now merged into the 3DO company and
no longer exists as a separate entity.
[2.5] How does the 3DO company make money?
A: 3DO gets a small royalty for each 3DO console sold (which they are not
currently collecting). They also get a royalty on each 3DO software disc
sold. The 3DO disc royalty is currently at $3 per disc, or up to 10% of net
sales, whichever 3DO chooses. Since 3DO does not directly manufacture the 3DO
consoles or software, it has little control over their retail pricing.
Note: An additional $1 Manufacturers Development Fund Fee has recently been
added to the per disc royalty fee to fund 3DO advertising, and to help offset
the costs of manufacturers maintaining competitive hardware prices. (Initially
the fee was $3 but has since been reduced to $1).
[2.6] Why doesn't 3DO release information on how many consoles have been sold?
A: Since 3DO does not manufacture the consoles, they _cannot_ give out
statistics on how many consoles have been sold without the consent of the
manufacturer. This is the confidential information of the manufacturing
company. Ask the manufacturer for sales figures, not 3DO.
[2.7] What about 3DO's stock?
A: In mid-March, 1993, 3DO (NASDAQ: THDO) entered into the stock market with
an initial public offering (IPO) that values the entire company at around $300
million. 3DO had an ongoing promotion offering 3DO hardware manufacturers two
shares of 3DO common stock for each hardware system shipped at or below certain
retail prices before Sept. 30, 1994, which has now been ended. In June of 1994
3DO completed an offering of almost 3 million shares of common stock to existing
and new investors to raise $40 million in capital.
[2.8] How do I contact the 3DO company?
A: Contact 3DO's public relations department at:
The 3DO Company
600 Galveston Dr.
Redwood City, Ca 94063
(415) 261-3000
internet e-mail: info@3do.com
The 3DO club: club@3do.com
3DO Direct: (800) 336-3506 (for more info see below)
3DO now offers a "3DO Direct" toll free direct order phone line for purchasing
3DO software, hardware, and peripheral products. To order call (800)336-3506
between 9am and 5pm Pacific time. 3DO merchandise such as T-shirts, hats,
coffee mugs, and watches are also sold.
============SECTION 3 - Hardware, Peripherals, and Specifications=============
[3.1] What Peripherals are coming for the 3DO?
A: Peripherals have been announced by Logitech and CH Products. Alps Electric,
Inc. has also signed on to create 3DO peripherals but has not announced any
products as of yet. Logitech is going to produce a mouse for the 3DO, and CH
Products an analog joystick. No release dates have been made public for either
product. A keyboard peripheral is also expected.
[3.2] Is there an external storage device coming for the 3DO?
A: Yes, a PCMCIA SRAM card reader is being readied for release for the 3DO.
This peripheral will expand the 3DO's NVRAM by allowing users to store games
to standard PCMCIA SRAM cards. The memory cards and card reader will be
manufactured by TDK and is tentatively set to be released in the first quarter
of 1995.
[3.3] Is there going to be a modem for the 3DO?
A: Possibly. AT&T was planning on releasing an add-on modem peripheral for
3DO consoles, but decided to drop those plans (and the plans for the Genesis
version of the voice-span modem). It is, however, possible that another
company will manufacture a 3DO modem.
[3.4] When will the MPEG add-on be released?
A: The MPEG video adaptor for the Panasonic FZ-1 3DO console is currently
scheduled to be released this winter for a price of around $249. Panasonic
has held up the release of the unit because of the lack of CD-Video movies.
The Samsung 3DO console will come with built in MPEG decoding and is scheduled
to be released in early '95. An MPEG adaptor will be available for the
Goldstar and Sanyo 3DO consoles, but no release or pricing information for
them is currently available.
[3.5] What hardware is coming, and when?
A: Here's a condensed list of 3DO hardware and peripherals, their manufacturer,
and predicted release date.
Product Manufacturer Predicted Rls.
------- ------------ --------------
3DO PC Card Creative Technology Available
3DO PC Card SCSI(rumored) Creative Technology unknown
Extra Control Pad Logitech for 3DO Available
Extra Control Pad Panasonic Available
Extra Control Pad Goldstar Available
FlightStick Pro CH Products Available
Game Gun American Laser Games Available
Mouse Logitech unknown
Mouse Panasonic unknown
SNES controller adaptor ? Available
SRAM Card and Reader TDK 1st Q '95
VoiceSpan Modem AT&T Cancelled
[3.6] Can the Panasonic 3DO control pad do diagonals? I sure can't get mine to!
A: Diagonal control was a problem with earlier versions of the Panasonic 3DO
control pad. Current versions from Panasonic have been corrected. Diagonals
can be done on earlier Panasonic 3DO directional pads, but it takes excessive
force. There is a simple solution, however, that allows diagonal movement to
be done easily. David Liu (davidliu@husc8.harvard.edu) says:
"One merely needs to partially unscrew the six screws which hold the
controller in place. Unscrewing only the three screws on the right side of
the bottom face of the controller three turns each restores much of the
control; loosening the remaining screws slightly can be used to tune the
sensitivity of the controller. The origin of the problem may be that the
rubber contact pad and the plastic control disk are pressed too tightly in
the factory-produced controllers, causing a slight warping of the rubber pad.
Loosening the two halves of the controller, however, remedies this problem."
Many thanks to David Liu for this quick and simple fix! Remember, although
this is a simple procedure, neither David nor I can bear any responsibility for
damage done to your controllers while attempting this fix.
There is also a slightly trickier and more involved method developed by Casey
Grimm that might be a better fix. It involves taking apart the control pad and
cutting a small part of the thumb pad. This fix can be found on ftp.ee.pdx.edu
for those who are interested.
When buying Panasonic brand controllers for your 3DO, make sure to get one with
red on the box. Those controllers are the version that have been diagonally
"fixed."
[3.7] Can I use Sega Genesis controllers on my 3DO?
A: NO! And attempting to use a genesis controller could damage the controller
and/or your 3DO! You _can_, however, use extension cords for genesis
controllers on your 3DO controllers to increase the length of the cable.
[3.8] The CD-ROM drive in my 3DO sounds a bit loud. Is it OK?
A: In all probability, yes. CD-ROM drives are louder than, say, PC hard
drives, and the loudness varies with each manufacturer. Many new 3DO owners
notice the noise from the CD-ROM drive at first, but then later get used to it.
In almost all cases, nothing is wrong with the drive.
[3.9] When is it OK to eject a disc?
A: CD-ROM drives use a laser to read the data, so nothing ever physically
touches the CD-ROM.. and also, CD-ROMs are read only. You can't damage a disk
or your console no matter when you hit eject. Some games, however, might store
critical NVRAM savegame data at specific points in the game. Be sure you're at
a safe place in the game before you eject so that you dont lose your place in
games that save your position or level.
[3.10] Help! My 3DO is broken! How do I get it fixed?
A: Check the warranty information that came with your 3DO, it should contain
a list of authorized service centers or customer service phone numbers. For
Panasonic 3DOs call (800) 545-2672 to locate an authorized Panasonic service
center, for Goldstar 3DOs call (800) 222-6457 (Push menu code for HiMedia) to
receive information on servicing your console.
[3.11] What is the resolution of the 3DO system?
A: The resolution displayed on screen is 640x480. However, the 3DO has an
internal resolution of 320x240 or 320x480, with each pixel being either 24-bits
or 16-bits. The 16-bit mode is almost always used for animations, while the
24-bit mode is used mostly for still pictures. There are no other resolutions
available. The internal resolution is interpolated into an anti-aliased
640x480 pixel display. The interpolation can be turned on and off via
software.
[3.12] Can the 3DO do real 24-bit color?
A: The 3DO can do 16 bit graphics with CLUTs(Color Look Up Tables) drawn from
24 bits, or it can do true 24 bit graphics.
[3.13] What does it mean when 3DO product literature says that the system
can "animate 64 million pixels per second?"
A: The system is capable of animating up to 64 million 16-bit on-screen
pixels per second. This is really 16 million internal 16-bit pixels
that are then interpolated as they are displayed on the screen to 640 by
480 pixel resolution, quadrupling the number of pixels displayed on screen.
[3.14] What are the detailed specs of the system?
A: The heart of the system is two Graphics and animation processors which
are capable of rendering up to 64 million texture mapped pixels per second
(interpolated). For sound a custom DSP is used to generate multiple stereo
voices and various effects including reverberation, doppler shift, 3Dsound,
and surround sound. The Graphics animation processors and the DSP are custom
designed by NTG, now a part of the 3DO Company.
The block diagram shown below is taken from an article on the 3DO system in the
Dec. 93 issue of Popular Science Magazine.
Graphics Graphics
--------- animation animation
| 3DO | processor processor
| block | |32|____________|32|
|diagram| |________ ________|
M --------- |32|
o _____|__|_____
n __ Video _______ 1MB ______| |____ 2MB
i __ processor_______ VRAM __32__| |_32_ DRAM
t | |
o | |
r | DMA |____ Expansion __ CDROM
| controller |_32_ Port Control __ Drive
| |
A | |___ Control __ Control pad
u__ D/A __ Digital ______| |_8_ Port __ 3d goggles
d__ Converter __ Signal __16__|____________| keyboard
i Processor |32|
o ______________________| |
| ______ _________ |
|32| |32| |32|
Optional Video 32-bit RISC _____ Math Co- ___ ROM &
Video --> Video Decomp Processor _____ Processor ___ SRAM
Input Port/plug
Specs:
-32-bit 12.5Mhz RISC CPU (ARM60) made by Advanced RISC Machines
(Roughly equivalent to a 25Mhz 68030)
-640x480 pixel resolution at 16.7 million colors
-Two Accelerated Video Co-Processors with the following features:
+ 25Mhz clock rate.
+ Capable of producing 9-16 million REAL pixels per second (36-64 Mpix/sec
interpolated), distorted, scaled, rotated and texture mapped.
+ Able to map a rectangular bitmap onto any arbitrary 4-point polygon.
+ Texturemap source bitmaps can be 1,2,4,6,8, or 16 bits per pixel and are
RLE compressed for a maximum combination of both high resolution and small
storage space.
+ Supports transparency, translucency, and color-shading effects.
-Custom 16-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) with the following features:
+ specifically designed for mixing, manipulating, and synthesizing CD
quality sound.
+ Can decompress sound 2:1 or 4:1 on the fly saving memory and bus bandwidth.
+ 25Mhz clock rate.
+ Pipelined CISC architecture.
+ 16-bit register size.
+ 17 separate 16-bit DMA channels to and from system memory.
+ On chip instruction SRAM and register memory.
+ 20-bit internal processing.
+ Special filtering capable of creating effects such as 3D sound.
-Separate BUS for video refresh updates (VRAM is dual ported)
-Super Fast BUS Speed (50 Megabytes per second)
-Math Co-Processor custom designed by NTG for accelerating fixed-point matrix
operations. (Note: This is *not* the ARM FPA)
-CD-ROM Drive with the following features:
+ 320ms access time
+ Doublespeed 300kbps Data Transfer
+ 32kbyte ram buffer
-2 megabytes of DRAM
-1 megabyte of VRAM (also capable of holding/executing code and data)
-1 megabyte of ROM
-36 Separate DMA Channels for fast data processing and efficient bus usage
-2 expansion ports:
+ 1 High-speed 68 pin x 1 AV I/O port (for FMV cartridge)
+ 1 High-speed 30 pin x 1 I/O expansion port
-1 Control port, capable of daisy chaining together up to 8 peripherals
-Multitasking 32-bit Operating System
-16-bit Stereo Sound
-44.1KHz Sound Sampling Rate
-Fully Supports Dolby(tm) Surround Sound
-32kb battery backed up SRAM
-Upgradable (The PowerPC M2 accelerator is coming in late '95)
==================SECTION 4 - System and Application Software==================
[4.1] What about the 3DO operating system?
A: The 3DO OS is a fully-featured 32-bit multitasking operating system written
specifically for the 3DO by NTG. Developers *must* use the OS for a variety of
reasons, the main one being to maintain compatibility with all 3DO consoles and
future next generation 3DO consoles. The OS is loaded from an application's CD
when the system starts up, and is not in the consoles ROM. Contrary to rumors,
there is no way to completely bypass the OS and "hack" directly on the hardware.
The 3DO OS consists of two parts:
1) A multitasking kernel with drivers for peripherals, a complete file system,
and support for physical storage.
2) Several software "folios" that provide a link between application software
and the 3DO hardware, and are designed to allow software compatibility as new
versions of the hardware are developed. The following six subsystems make up
the entire "Portfolio" of 3DO OS system calls:
The Decompression Folio
- supports software and hardware decompression of audio and video data.
The Math Folio
- performs many of the high level calculations.
The Graphics Folio
- provides access to the 3DO's cel and display subsystems for doing graphics
effects and animation. The effects include warping, transparency, lighting
effects, anti-aliasing, and texture mapping.
The 3-D Folio
- system code for creating 3-D effects and doing complex calculations.
The Audio Folio
- supports the creation and manipulation of sound effects and music. This
includes proprietary algorithms called "3D audio imaging" that create the
illusion of sound coming not only from the left and right, but front and
back (when wearing headphones). These algorithms can also produce Doppler
effects and reverberations.
The File System Folio
- manages the file system
[4.2] How is 3DO application software developed?
A: 3DO Software is developed on high-end Macintosh computers via an easy to
use toolkit and development station created by the 3DO Company. The
development station consists of a special 3DO that has several debugging
features and is interfaced to the Macintosh computer. The toolkit contains
emulation software and programming and authoring tools that include a source
level debugger, compiler, linker, assembler, various libraries, custom
plug-in's, 2D animation and imaging software, 3D modeling software, and video
and file translation tools as well as Macromedia's Director, MacroModel, and
Three-D (the macromedia s/w and extractor are sold separately). Software
licensees can get a vast "content library" from the 3DO partners: 190 CDs
carrying 111 gigabytes of music, sound effects, photos, film clips, clip art,
and text references, all available to knit into their work. (This is also
sold separately - $995 for vol 1 and $495 for vol 2)
[4.3] How much does the development system cost?
A: The Development environment costs about $9500 and comes with the special
3DO that interfaces with a Mac Quadra via an optical link cable, along with
the Software tools and documentation. An optional development environment
comes with a development card (which has the same functionality as the full
development 3DO system except for no CD drive) instead of the special 3DO,
and costs about $6000. (The development card is a nubus card for Macintosh
computers). A PC programming environment is coming soon from Cross Products.
[4.4] How do I become a 3DO developer?
A: For information on becoming a 3DO developer, call the 3DO New Developer
INFO Line at (415)261-3202.
[4.5] Will 3DO software be censored at all?
A: No.
[4.6] Will 3DO software have a ratings system of some kind?
A: Yes, at the current time 3DO is going to have an optional rating system
that will be administered by the software publisher. The publisher will
determine what audience is suitable for their title, and then place the
appropriate rating on it. The ratings are as follows:
A green circle with an "E" in it: Everyone, suitable for all ages.
A yellow diamond with a "12" in it: Games suitable for persons 12 and up.
A yellow diamond with a "17" in it: Games suitable for persons 17 and up.
A red octagon with "AO" in it: Adults Only.
[4.7] Who is developing software for the 3DO?
A: Reportedly nearly 700 companies are licensed 3DO developers, with more than
550 third-party development systems installed and 200 software companies
worldwide actively developing titles. Some of the more well known companies
developing for the 3DO are Electronic Arts, Origin, Virgin Games, Dynamix,
Konami, Capcom, Interplay, Crystal Dynamics, Psygnosis, and Microprose.
[4.8] Sometimes I hear "popping" and "clicking" noises while playing Crash and
Burn and other games. Is something wrong with my 3DO?
A: In all probability, nothing is wrong with your 3DO. There was a bug in
the 3DO OS's audio library that caused a clicking sound sometimes when audio
samples were played. This can be heard in earlier games like "Crash & Burn"
and "Total Eclipse." The bug has been fixed and should only be present in
early 3DO games. However, incorrectly sampled sounds and playback problems
can also cause audio "pops" which are sometimes heard even in games without
the OS bug. Popping noises can also be caused by certain audio setups.
[4.9] Ive heard rumors that "early" Panasonic 3DO consoles may not run certain
games correctly, possibly having sound problems.. is this true?
A: No. This rumor popped up but has never been proven. It dealt with "flat
black speckled topped 3DO's" versus "glossy black speckled topped 3DO's," one
of which was a newer version of the Panasonic 3DO. Many people, including me,
have very early 3DO's (bought within the first two weeks of release) and have
encountered no problems.
[4.10] How is the 3DO's NVRAM structured? And what can I do if I have problems
with it?
A: The 3DO's non-volatile static ram is structured like a file system. It
cannot be written to directly by an application, OS calls _must_ be used
to read, write, create, or delete files in the NVRAM. Any program, however,
can read, modify, or delete any other programs files if it wishes too. 3DO
strongly suggests developers not write software that deletes other programs
files without the permission of the user.
If you have problems with your NVRAM, such as problems saving or loading files
from it, you should use the memory manager software supplied with your
system to correct the problem. For those who do not have the 3DO memory
manager software, you can get it by purchasing the 3DO Interactive Sampler
#2. Early Panasonic 3DO owners can get the memory manager software free from
Panasonic by doing the following: have the serial number of your 3DO handy,
and call Panasonic at (201)348-9090. Tell them you are a 3DO owner and need
the 3DO combined demo disk/memory manager. If the person you get doesn't know
what you are talking about, make sure they take down your address and have them
ask their supervisor for more information.
[4.11] Hey! I played The Horde, saved a game, and now all of my other non-Horde
saved games in NVRAM are gone! What happened?
A: The first version of The Horde deleted all other non-horde saved games in
NVRAM when you saved a game. Amazingly, this was not a bug.. the game was
designed to do this to give players the maximum amount of ram for Horde saved
games! Crystal Dynamics is aware that this is a problem for most people and
will allow you to exchange your NVRAM devouring copy of the horde, should
you happen to get one, for the latest one (with less of an appetite). To do
so, follow these directions from Crystal Dynamics:
UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box . Please _mail_ your
Horde (3DO) CD along with the 3"x5" index card or piece of
paper with your name and full street address to:
Crystal Dynamics
P.O. Box 7046
San Francisco, CA 94120-9324
The new version will only allow you to save four games, and will allow you
to delete NVRAM files when it is full. For more information about the new
version, call the Crystal Dynamics Customer Service line at (415)473-3434.
===============================================================================
This has been the 3DO Frequently asked questions list. It is maintained
by Scott A. Krotz, krotz@cig.mot.com. Although I attempt to keep the FAQ
as accurate as possible, some information may be incorrect. I have no
affiliation with the 3DO Company other than being a satisfied customer and the
information in this FAQ should not be taken as an official statement from the
3DO Company.
Special thanks to Blake Stone, Enrique Conty, Alan Glass, and all of the
friendly folks at 3DO who helped in creating and maintaining this list. The
information and help provided by these people has been a great assistance in
making this list as complete and correct as possible. Thanks also to Michel
Buffa for his great work in creating a Mosaic version of the faq.
Send all corrections, comments, and ideas for additions to me, Scott Krotz
at krotz@cig.mot.com.
===============================================================================
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