Shenmue Saturn + Sega Systems Talk

[stu]

As for PHOENIX, this is a fanmade codename dating back to 2008. The speculated codename for Sega Orbi's possible console varies by region. The arcade board will be called "RINGWAVE" and will be the 3rd Ring series board and will be in operation alongside RingEdge 2 early in 2013.

The codenamed or speculated codename in Japan is ATHENA/NEPTUNIA. Some sources claim that "Orbi" is also a codename and that SEGA is planning on making that word and brand their "Playstation".

The European speculated codename is "FUTURA or "Gamus Vision"(according to some sources in Sega Brazil).

The US build is reported to be going by the codename "PYZHERCAST" The word "PYHZER" is Greek for "Future" or new Era".



All of this is just speculation of course. SEGA console rumors have been on-again and off-again since 2007. But one thing is certain, the ORBI multi brand trademark makes it look alot more credible and gives the latest cycle alot more legs and plenty of believable info. Based on the fact that SEGA filed a gigantic "Playstation-like" trademark early this year, paid $5,000 for its registration and has been making every move possible showing them moving away from thier 11 year 3rd party only strategy.


Of course we have to wait and see. We DO know that ORBI is real and that its a new brand SEGA is planning on incoporating, we just don't know what it details.

Yea .. more speculation..

[#1phoenixsunsfan]

Didn't sega release a mp4 tablet like thing already ?

What is uoya a open source console like dc ha ?

I'm surprised new consoles bother getting released.

[cloofoofoo]

I'm sure they would have. Third party developers want to make money, and even if it is difficult to program for the PS2, it was still an economically good decision to invest in creating PS2 games just because of the potential for huge sales because of the enormous PS2 install base of people owning consoles.

Aside from the interests of first party software producers who want to market their system as the best compared to others, and entice people with good quality games that way - If you have a lot of third party developers working on games for the system, then you have increased competition for marketshare and for the video game budgets of kids and families. One of the primary ways to make your game stand out against the crowd is to put in the time/effort/money to try new things and make your game look better than the other guy's game. This increased competition would surely result in increasingly more impressive graphics as the years go by.

PS2's CPU had up to 8 different 16-bit CPUs. Its just that the loophole around its complex design was both its budget, Sony's brand, and development kits that were easy to use. Early on, Saturn lacked a proper development kit design. Sony wooed 3rd party partners with its own successful brand name.

I remember some developer said that ps2 programming library was lacking and almost none existent when it 1st came out.Cant recall but I think it was a capcom producer who said that, so no it was not easy to use early on.

[#1phoenixsunsfan]

If the Neptune were mass produced and you could plug sega cd model 2 on side or had a tray to pop out on it's side to put sega cd games in, it would have been one of my favorite sega consoles ever.

A company sold custom genesis 2 + 32x modded region free consoles as neptunes last year but I can't find their ebay listings or site info on it .

otakus-store

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyoj-uHFYE0[/youtube]

I would buy one, but that model 2 md mono sound chip sounds horrible.

[#1phoenixsunsfan]

However the actual neptune combo might have contained the crappy genesis model 2 case sound chip too.

So do the sega cd and 32x sound better hoked up to model 1 case genesis too ?

Also what sound chip is in cdx, the model 1 or 2 one ?

[#1phoenixsunsfan]

"----------------------------------------------
1.9 How is the Saturn related to the 32X/Mars?
----------------------------------------------

The 32X "Mars" was originally an aborted effort to market a cartridge
based Saturn to the public. This incarnation would have been called
"Jupiter". Instead of scrapping the Jupiter completely, the system
architecture was redesigned and subsequently reborn as a modular
add-on for the Genesis/Megadrive.

The 32X then fell flatly on its face due to a lack of 3rd party
support and a lackadaisical effort by Sega to see it succeed.
Although Sega promised to support the 32X, most people were keen on
the fact the Saturn was coming, and saw little point in yet another
Genesis/Megadrive upgrade.

The 32X uses some components that are very similar to those used
in the Saturn (the CPUs being the most obvious).

More information about the Jupiter and 32X can be found in section
15.3.

The 32X and the Saturn are not, repeat NOT, compatible with one
another.

-------------------------------------------------------------
15.3 What is the Sega Jupiter, and why was it never released?
-------------------------------------------------------------

When the Saturn was under development, there were plans for two
different variations using the same chipset. One would use a CD-ROM
drive, and the other would use ROM cartridges for primary input.
The latter cartridge based machine was codenamed "Jupiter". The
Jupiter would also support an add on CD-ROM drive with additional
RAM, which would make it in effect, a Saturn. However, it was
decided that it would be a illogical to sell inferior cartridge
based versions of games when cheaper CD versions were available.
Consequently, the Jupiter project was scrapped.

Shortly thereafter, the Jupiter project was retooled to become the
"Mars" (which we know as today as the ill fated 32X). The Mars was
primarily and interim machine created to fill the time gap between
the phaseout of the Genesis and the appearance of the Saturn in the
North American market (where the Genesis was still popular). This
way Sega of America would not loose their well established userbase.

Contrary to popular belief, the 32X was released in Japan as well,
although it did very poorly in terms of sales and was regarded
somewhat as a novelty item.

The Jupiter and Saturn were to be compatible with each other, while
the Mars was no longer compatible with the Saturn. The Mars used two
slower running SH-2 chips (23Mhz as opposed to 28Mhz), but an
otherwise completely different architecture.

Finally, it's interesting to point out that the ST-V/Titan arcade
board is more or less a cartridge based Saturn (see Section 1.8)."

http://www.consoledatabase.com/faq/sega ... urnfaq.txt

However, it was
decided that it would be a illogical to sell inferior cartridge
based versions of games when cheaper CD versions were available.
Consequently, the Jupiter project was scrapped.

Oh like how the 32x cart version of virtua fighter looked better and was actually better from top to bottom with extra features than the inferior saturn cd version of virtua fighter, ha.

[#1phoenixsunsfan]

All hail the Genesis :