- Home console developed by Sega and released in Europe in October 1999.
- Sold over 10 million units worldwide before being discontinued in March 2001.
- Top releases include Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, SoulCalibur, and Shenmue.
- One of the first consoles to support online multiplayer via internet connection.
- The controller featured an extra unit used for data storage and added features.
The Dreamcast controller. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_controller_lg._V326883621_.jpg )
The Dreamcast – it's thinking
-----------------------------
In May 1998, Microsoft announced it would be collaborating with
Sega on its new home video game system, the Dreamcast, which saw
its European release in October 1999. As a result of the
collaboration, Microsoft provided an optimised version of the
Microsoft Windows CE operating system with integrated DirectX
services as the operating system for use with Dreamcast.
The Microsoft and Sega collaboration marked a leap forward in
game console technology. Dreamcast included advanced hardware
technology in 3D graphics, sound, and input devices, as well as
an on-board modem to support internet access and network gaming.
The inclusion of Windows CE with DirectX provided a flexible,
versatile development environment, supported by Microsoft
development tools, that eased title development and makes
possible true cross-platform title compatibility with
Windows-based PCs. The result was a powerful platform that
enabled creative and technical advances in video games to reach
entirely new levels.
Windows CE and DirectX
----------------------
With the inclusion of Windows CE, Dreamcast brought the benefits
of an advanced Windows-based development environment to the world
of console game development for the first time. Using Windows CE,
developers were able to create cross-platform titles more
efficiently by taking advantage of well-established Win32 and
DirectX APIs that were source code-compatible with the Windows
operating system on the PC. Incorporation of DirectX also allowed
the Dreamcast system to capitalise on the momentum toward PC
gaming and the ever-increasing body of developers creating games
for the Windows platform.
An additional benefit of the new software platform was the key
services provided by the operating system and DirectX-based game
libraries, including support for input devices, sound, 3D
graphics, and memory and CD file management. Support in Windows
CE for standard internet protocols, Winsock, and the DirectPlay
API allowed developers to take advantage of the Dreamcast
system's modem capabilities. In addition, the modular
architecture of Windows CE meant operating system components and
DirectX-based services could be eliminated if not required, or
replaced by the developer's own custom libraries.
Development tools
-----------------
The development tools provided with the Dreamcast system's
Windows CE Software Development Kit (SDK) were built around the
Microsoft Visual Studio development system version 5.0 with
well-tested and refined Visual C++ development system-based
tools. The tools enabled video game developers to develop
Dreamcast games on Windows-based PCs, taking advantage of the
productivity and convenience features of the same advanced
integrated development environment (IDE) used by developers for
the Windows desktop.
The game library
----------------
The result of the Windows PC-based game development was a
collection of top-quality franchise favourites, new titles, and
arcade ports. Sega's ship mascot made the jump to
next-generation in style with Sonic Adventure, the console's
best-selling game, popular arcade game Crazy Taxi received its
first home console release on the Dreamcast, while the popular
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 saw one of its best ports on the
console. Fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of
Heroes and SoulCalibur were received well by fans, sports
enthusiasts were treated to releases like NBA 2K1 and Virtua
Tennis, and the Dreamcast even spawned a couple of new gems
including the unique Jet Set Radio and the critically accled
RPG Skies of Arcadia.
The controller and VM
---------------------
The Dreamcast controller was truly unique, featuring a slot on
the front for the Visual Memory (VM) unit. While it primarily
served as a removable storage unit for saved game data, the VM
could also function as an auxiliary display during gameplay, and
even sometimes as its own bespoke handheld device. Features of
the VM included a small black and white screen, speaker,
directional pad, and four buttons. It also had the ability to
download additional games. Titles like Jet Set Radio and Quake
III Arena included VM-based minigames, while the unit provided
additional in-game features in releases such as Grand Theft Auto
2, Skies of Arcadia, and the NFL games.
Sonic Adventure. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_SonicAdventure_lg._V326884839_.jpg )
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_MarvelVCapcom_lg._V326884833_.jpg )
SoulCalibur. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_SoulCalibur_lg._V326884838_.jpg )
Crazy Taxi. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_CrazyTaxi_lg._V326884836_.jpg )
Shenmue. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_Shenmue_lg._V326884837_.jpg )
Resident Evil Code: Veronica. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_CodeVeronica_lg._V326884832_.jpg )
Jet Set Radio. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_JetGrindRadio_lg._V326884832_.jpg )
Skies of Arcadia. view larger
( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Dreamcast_SkiesofArcadia_lg._V326884841_.jpg )
