Siento seguir con el secuestro del hilo, pero es 'pal niño Sombrita
Next Generation Online
March 13, 1997
Codename: Black Belt
Next Generation Online has received impressive first insights into Sega's next game machine - codenamed Black Belt.
March 13, 1997
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Developers are now hearing the first details of Sega's next machine which is supposedly based upon two key technological elements. The first element is the inexpensive Videologic/PowerVR PCX2 chipset which is expected to cost manufacturers less than $30 in lots of 10,000 units. NEC has previously confirmed that they have spoken with Sega about the use of the PowerVR hardware in future systems. Such a system would provide hardware support for anti-aliasing, mip-mapping, z-buffering (albeit not a standard method), texture filtering and alpha-channeling.
The system is also expected to sport some as yet to be named 64-bit CPU (rumored to be a PowerPC of some variety) as well as utilizing a CD format. There is still no word on the polygon handling capacity of the unit.
The second major component of the system is said to be the Microsoft Arcade Operating System. Yu Suzuki has been rumored to have been in Redmond, visiting Microsoft a little less than a year ago investigating the OS. Such a system allows for easier development with more standardized tools. Furthermore, arcade games developed to use the OS could relatively easily be ported to the new system.
Currrently Sega and SegaSoft are said to be working with the hardware in its current form. Some developers should be receiving development kits as early as this Christmas, with a system release possibly as early as Christmas '98.
While the developers that Next Generation Online spoke to were unaware of the Black Belt's expected price point, all of them said that it should provide a much needed boost in performance and ease of development.
Black Belt: More Details
Next Generation Online has learned more details concerning Sega's next home console.
March 15, 1997
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A Videologic source has confirmed that Black Belt will feature a PowerVR based architecture. As yet, the number and variety of CPUs is unknown as is the number of Image Synthesis Processors which are the basic unit of the PowerVR architecture.
PowerVR is a chipset designed by Videologic and manufactured by NEC which is currently used in a variety of PC boards including Apocalypse. More manufacturers are signing on to manufacture these boards in the coming months.
The Sega chipset will differ from that used in current PC boards in that it will most likely feature the equivalent of the PX2 chip. Current boards are PCX1 based. Future boards (and the Sega version) will therefore be able to handle mip-mapping and texture-filtering. The Saturn cannot currently handle such operations.
Executives from Sega of Japan are currently meeting with Microsoft in Seattle and are negotiating for the rights to also use the Microsoft Arcade Operating System which will soon be available to arcade developers. However, Next Generation understands that the Microsoft deal is by no means signed. That aspect of the machine's future is still yet to be confirmed.
Games under development at present include a basketball title, a soccer game and Virtua Fighter 3. Sega is aiming for a Japanese launch in late 1998 with a US introduction in 1999. This should mean that the machine will be shown behind closed doors at E3 this summer.
Yet to be established are such issues s technical performance, third party support, price and market-positioning
Massive RAM for Black Belt
Still more details are coming to light regarding Sega's Black Belt system.
March 19, 1997
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According to sources close to Sega, the design of the Black Belt system is still not complete. But developers are being quoted that the unit will include:
16MB General RAM
2-8MB RAM for textures and audio
An as yet undisclosed PPC CPU.
Furthermore the timeline for launch is likely to be particularly strained because development tools aren't due to be in circulation until next spring. Such a move would only allow six to nine months for development before the system's tentative release in Japan for Christmas '98.
Microsoft has declined to comment on any dealings it has had with Sega over the system, but has admitted to speaking to the game company for purposes of promoting its 'Arcade Initiative'. It would seem also that the deal for the graphics subsystem is not yet written in stone, as conversations with 3Dfx are also said to be in the works.
Sega to Unveil Black Belt
Sega is planning to officially announce the Black Belt on April 3rd, Next Generation Online can reveal.
March 27, 1997
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Well-placed sources at Microsoft say that Sega of Japan will be making a joint announcement with Microsoft regarding the details of its next system, Black Belt.
Microsoft's involvement with the system is expected to be in the operating system arena, which is similar to that being used in its arcade initiative.
Details of the hardware are still unclear and the exact specs of Black Belt appear to be in a state of flux. According to sources, the new front-runner for the graphics subsystem is likely to be some variant of the 3Dfx Voodoo graphics chipset. The system itself is being designed in the US but has no involvement with long-time hardware partner, Lockheed Martin.
As reported previously on Next Generation Online, the system will have 16MB RAM general RAM and 2-8MB Texture RAM. The CPU is still unknown but is expected to be a Power PC of some variety.
The timing of this official announcement is nothing short of astounding. But Sega is furious that information regarding the system has leaked out prematurely, and may feel that its hand has been forced.
The announcement is likely to be an effort to raise awareness in the development community and to curb unofficial leaks. It sets the stage for future developer solicitation at E3 in June. With the system specs still being in transition, it is also possible Sega is seeking developer feedback upon its proposed system.