An ARM Inside Sega's New Dream Machine?
Sega Unveil Their New 128-Bit Console
In early June 1998, the annual E3 exhibtion was held in the USA. The main highlight was found at the Sega stand. After months of speculation, Sega finally unveiled their new 128-Bit Games Console, Dreamcast.
The reaction to the name has been similar to the reaction to the name of Acorn's new computer, Phoebe 2100. Quite a few people in the gaming world have said that the name Dreamcast is a mistake, and that one of the development names (Dural and Katana) would be more suitable.
At the heart of the machine is a 128-Bit RISC Processor, but sadly for us Acorn users, it is not an ARM.
The CPU is a customised Hitachi SH4 chip, which has enhanced Floating Point capabilities, something that ARM chips lack.
Sega claim that this CPU can perform FP operations four times faster than a Pentium II chip!
There has been a lot of mixed reactions to the news that the Dreamcast will feature a customised version of Microsoft's Windows CE Operating System.
Windows CE isn't known to be the most reliable OS on the planet!
Game developers will use Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0, and the dreaded DirectX will feature heavily.
Where does ARM fit into all of this?
Yamaha is contributing a dedicated, real-time 3D Audio Chip, which is a variation on a Chip ARM developed for Yamaha. Even though it is a small contribution, I'm sure it is one that Acorn devotees will make a point of in the future.
Main Features
The muscle behind Dreamcast's high-end graphics engine is a custom-designed version of the PowerVR Second-Generation technology developed jointly by NEC and Videologic.
It promises a peak performance of over 3 million polygons per second and customised anti-aliasing technology (another possible Acorn link).
The Joypads are very similar to the ones used with the Nintendo N64 console, but the Dreamcast offers something not yet seen in any other Computer system, the VMS.
VMS stands for Visual Memory System.
The VMS is a Memory Card with a portable game card and LCD screen built in. This plugs into the top of the Joypad. It is claimed that the LCD screen lets players setup secret moves against their opponents, thus adding an even more realistic feel to the game.
On its own, the VMS is a portable electronic game card, which can be linked to another VMS.
Online Gaming?
The most interesting feature of the Dreamcast is the internal 33.6K Modem. It is thought that nearly every game released on the system will be able to link up to the Internet, allowing interactive online gaming on a scale that has never before been seen.
If it succeeds, this poses a great threat to Internet Set-top Boxes, like the NC.
Release Date?
The Dreamcast is currently on course for a late November 1998 launch in Japan, and late 1999 release in America. So don't expect to see it in the UK until the 2000!
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