3DO Interactive Multiplayer

Multiple Developers, A Storied Past

Unlike every other video game console on the market, this console was not developed by a single company. The system was made based on specifications outlined by The 3DO Company, but it was up to the individual manufacturers to make the actual console; they could design the exterior to their liking. Although Goldstar and Sanyo made versions of this console -- there was even a PC card made by Creative that allowed gamers to play 3DO titles on home computers -- the Panasonic variant made the most headway into the market and was by far the best known. Interestingly, the original concept for the system was dreamed up by Trip Hawkins, who had previously founded Electronic Arts, the company that now owns exclusive rights to a number of sports franchises.

It Costs How Much?

With any new technology, it should really come as little surprise that it would cost more than the previous generation. Just as the Xbox 360 and PS3 cost significantly more than the Xbox and PS2, the 3DO was also quite expensive for the time. In fact, the launch price was a hefy $699.95 USD.

That said, it was quite the impressive machine at the time: an ARM60 32-bit RISC CPU, a pair of video co-processors, the ability to play audio and video CDs, and the possibility of using up to eight controllers at once, to name but a few. Unfortunately, the system was rarely used to its full potential.

Why Are The Graphics So Bad?

Because the games were on CD-ROM media, it was able to store a lot of cutscenes. However, this resulted in too heavy a focus on the videos in between actual gameplay, and the latter suffered as a result. Even so, the cutscenes were often pixelated and blocky, much like the gameplay graphics.

A Short Life

The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer only lasted for two years before it was pulled off the shelf in 1995. It seemed like everyone wanted a piece of home console market, and there were far too many systems available -- the Philips CD-i, Sega Saturn, and Atari Jaguar, for example -- and in the end, it was the Sony PlayStation that dominated the 32/64-bit era of home video gaming. There was very little third-party support for this system, but the PS1 had a humungous (and growing) library. It certainly didn't help that the 3DO cost substantially more as well.

Not That Many Games

Because of the lack of support from third-party software developers, as well as the fact that the 3DO only sat on the market for two years, there are very few titles available for this home console. The system had a couple of gems, but with such a small library, it was difficult (and ultimately impossible) to keep up with Sony's PlayStation. Here is a list of some of the notables:

• Alone in the Dark
• Army Men
• Bust-A-Move
• Flashback
• Gex
• Mad Dog McCree
• Myst (had already been a success on the PC)
• Policenauts
• Road Rash
• Wolfenstein 3D