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I admit the last version was a little inaccurate with regards to the
Jupiter, however the more that contact me with extra information the
more definitative this FAQ will become. The FAQ has also become expanded
to cover some 32x/Mars information - though the main topic of the FAQ
will still be the Saturn. If somebody else is willing to start a
separate 32X/Mars FAQ I'll be glad to transfer the relevent information
to them. Changes are marked with a <**> next to them.
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| Frequently Asked Questions ||
Version 1.15 ||
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Maintained by pred@zikzak.apana.org.au
Since its getting closer to release, and other 32 bit machines now have
their own FAQ's -- why not cover one of the hottest of them all? the
Sega Saturn...
. What the heck is the Saturn?
. So what is this Jupiter I have heard of?
. Okay then, so what is the 32X?
. So what is the Mars being talked about?
. Who is supporting the Saturn/32X?
. How does Sega Channel fit into this?
. What titles are in production?
. Where/when will it be available?
. How much will it cost?
. Will the Saturn be compatible with the Genesis/SegaCD?
. What are the specifications for the Saturn?
. What are the specifications for the 32X?
. So which 32bit+ system should I choose?
. Acknowledgements
. Other
Q: What the heck is the Saturn?
A: The Saturn is the latest video game console that is currently in
production by Sega Enterprises. Development on the Saturn has been
continuing for approximately the last 6-12 months, for a release some
time later this year (1994).
Sega has provided the Saturn as the next step up in its range of
highly popular games consoles that began with the 8 bit Master
System, and most recently the 16 bit Genesis and Sega-CD. Each of
these systems has sold many millions of games and units across the
world, making Sega currently the second biggest, if not the biggest
video game manufacturer world-wide.
Saturn is aimed to provide a direct competition with new consoles
such as the 3DO, Atari Jaguar, and Commodore (now in liquidation)
CD32. It also aims to compete against other upcoming consoles such as
the Sony Playstation-X (or PS-X, also due late 1994), and eventually
against Sega's main rival, Nintendo. Nintendo, who in cooperation
with Silicon Graphics are to produce a 64 bit games console
containing much of the technology now implemented in SGI's Onyx
workstations for release in <**> mid 1995.
In technical terms, the Saturn will be a fully 32 bit console that
will offer specialised multi-media capabilities many times greater
than most computer systems at a much cheaper price. Sprite and
rendered graphics will be a natural function of the hardware, and
handled with ease. <**> Sega is also looking into the Saturn being
compatible with MPEG1 as standard if costs permit, allowing the
playing of movies on CD. Software that will be available ranges from
sports to highly frantic arcade games, or anything else you can dream
up. <**> Saturn is also aims to be one of the few consoles to
specifically plan and take into account the integration into online
interactive networks.
Q: So what is the Jupiter I have head of?
A: <**> (just about everything changed). In April it was announced by
many magazines that Sega would be releasing a Jupiter console, a
cartridge only, and slightly lesser version of the Saturn. Recently
plans for the Jupiter were shelved (if in fact we were going to see a
Jupiter at all), probably due to production costs which would have
pushed the machine past what Sega was aiming to sell it for. In order
to be able to release a cheaper system, their current plans are for
the 32X/Mars system.
Q: Okay then, so what is the 32X?
A: It is now official that the 32X is going to be the 'lesser' of Sega's
two new machines, for release at about the same time as the Saturn.
What the 32X will be is an add on for existing Genesis/Megadrive
owners, which when plugged into the general expansion port will
provide extra processing power and other enhancements to your old
machine.
32X will be cartridge only, and not expected to be upgradeable to
the Saturn (which was first planned with the Jupiter). The 32X will
also include only two specially designed processors, whereas the
Saturn will contain a predicted seven.
For those who own a SegaCD the 32X will take advantage of this to
provide 32X CD games. Basically if you have a SegaCD it will use the
extra capabilities of the machine, in addition to that of the Genesis
itself and 32X. Several of these 32X/CD games are already in
production. The reason for this seems to be so that Sega can boost
sales of the largely flailing SegaCD, while also cutting prices on
the 32X by not having to include a CD-drive. It is expected that
prices for the SegaCD will drop to increase sales for the 32X/CD
combination.
How did this come about? Most believe that Sega initially was at
work on a cartridge only machine, however due to the market pressure
of CD becoming standard, Sega was persuaded to integrate CD storage
into their machine. Rather than waste this technology, they opted to
use some of the technology in a cheaper, less powerful console.
<**> Q: So what is the Mars also talked about?
A: The Mars is simply a PAL version of the 32X for release in places
such as Australia, some parts of Asia, and Europe. Take the Genesis
and Megadrive as a similar situation, pretty much the same system,
but with a different name. It is expected that neither systems will
be compatible with each other, to prevent uncontrolled 'grey'
importing.
Q: Who is supporting the Saturn/32X?
A: The Saturn is essentially a product of Sega's own inguinuity, and
most of the machine as in fact designed and built by Sega singularly.
Apparently a British firm was involved in one or more of the chip
design, however most dedicated components such as main processor,
co-processor, etc were designed by Japanese firms (such as Hitachi).
These companies have nothing more to do with the Saturn than actual
chip design and production.
The other big news is that Microsoft have made a commitment to
Saturn by developing the software for the machine. It is expected
that this revolves around Microsoft's GUI Windows operating system,
though how active this becomes part of the system to the end-user is
unsure. Microsoft is also interesting in extending its market
interests by helping to develop the Sega Channel and its ultimate aim
of becoming the main player in a future global interactive network.
Major software developers keen on producing Saturn titles include
Sony, Bandia, Konami, <**> ID software (not as big, but everbody
will still be interested!), Namco, plus too many more to
mention here.
Q: How does the Sega channel fit into this?
A: Sega Channel is a venture undertaken by Sega to provide an expansive
and large online network for game players of Saturn, and possibly
other machines (though unlikely). <**> It seems unlikely that the 32X
will be SegaChannel compatible due to the speed of the internal bus.
The system is currently undergoing trials in the United States
and Japan to investigate its viability. When in place the Sega
Channel which operate much like your standard cable television
provider, except rather than offering programs it offers games and
other services. Some of these services include the possibility of
online shopping, a gamers database, game related message facilities,
and probably more to be announced.
The main aim of the Sega Channel however is to provide games on
demand. For an monthly access fee of $20-$30 (plus the possibility of
online charges), subscribers are continously sent game data for a
game of their choice to their Saturn or possibly 32X. Playing a Sega
Channel game would be similar to the game being in the player's own
machine, except the game is erased from memory after the game is
completed. Such a network also allows the exciting possibility of
country-wide (or even worldwide) games with many different players.
Q: What titles are in production?
A: Here is a list of the more popular known titles that are in
production at the present time <**> FOR THE SATURN. Approximately 40
other titles will be going into production in the next few months, so
this is just a small sample.