A Dream Reborn - Sega/Xbox TL

Asami · Nov 30, 2013

IGN.com
June 28, 1997

Microsoft and Sega: New console under development?

Growing rumors in the video game industry seem to say that Microsoft, developer of the popular Microsoft Windows operating system, is seeking to cooperate with Sega to enter the video game market which has given Sony and Nintendo both a brilliant lucrative place in the market. These rumors come from some Sega insiders who have anonymously mentioned "Windows CE" forming the backbone of the Dreamcast system.

President Bernie Stolar of Sega America has already stated that "Saturn is not our future -- we plan on moving on in the world to create something that can compete in the new millennium, and we won't rely entirely on our previous releases to get us through the beginning of this new age." This comes as a direct hit towards Sony and Nintendo both, who released the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in the last couple years, and of which there have been no rumors of a potential successor to the platform.

Both Sega and Microsoft have both refused to comment on the rumors thus far.

One thing is for sure, whatever Sega and Microsoft have cooking behind closed doors, must be a revelation within itself -- and it may force Nintendo and Sony's hand on the upcoming generation of game consoles. One problem a Sega-Microsoft joint venture would face is the fact that most game developers in this day and age prefer to develop for the Nintendo and Sony platforms, which have proven fanatically successful. Sega's most popular gaming franchise Sonic the Hedgehog has been at the long-end of criticism over linear game-play, unlike the Mario franchise, which has already seen the likes of Mario Kart and it's sequels.

Good luck to Sega.

----

Welcome to my video game TL. This TL will base on the POD of the 3dfx specifications of the Sega Dreamcast not leaking prematurely, thus allowing Sega to retain that video platform as their choice. OTL, Microsoft and Sega were cooperating on the Dreamcast project in terms of operating system. Microsoft's plans for the DirectX-Box were created after the failure of this Sega-MS deal, and the Xbox is widely considered the spiritual successor to the Sega Dreamcast, so...

Take a seat and enjoy the SEGA.

omnimercurial · Dec 1, 2013

Yay!

I loved my little Dreamcast!

Looking forward to seeing where you go with this.

Asami · Dec 1, 2013

September 1997
IGN.com

Windows NT 5.0 Beta 1 Leaks

The upcoming version of the Windows NT operating system has leaked out to beta groups this week, and from this a shocking revelation has come forward -- included in some of the files in the setup CD are references to "s_pluto" hooks. These files call for various graphical functions to render, and are all center-focused around things such as "plutodash" and "plutontwkst". These files are not referenced in any major Windows kernel function.

If this does in fact have to do with the rumored Sega Saturn successor, could we see it running a trimmed down version of Windows NT 5.0 when it launches? In due time, perhaps.

Recalling E3 last June, Sega seemed to give away no hints on the potentiality for a new console launch any time soon.

However, at E3 we still saw a whole new plethora of PC games hitting the public. Many across the gaming world are looking forward to the launches of games such as Half-Life and Quake II, the fearsome sequel to Quake, as well as John Romero's Daikatana, which is getting much hype from gamers. None of these games will be released for the Sega Saturn, which is worrying for many Sega fans, who believe they're being left behind by the market.

But we can't throw our cards in yet. With Microsoft and Sega possibly working together, we could see a Sega Revolution in just a few years, it's all a matter of how these things go.

Asami · Dec 1, 2013

May 31, 1998

E3 1998 Recap: Sega-Microsoft Breaking Up? PlayStation sequel? Nintendo 64DD cancelled? DVD the new frontier? and more

This year at E3, gamers awaited with baited breath at the possibility of Sega announcing a new flagship gaming console, but they were disappointed when Sega refused to announce anything, preferring instead to talk once more about the future of the Sega Saturn, which has become a near universal failure as more and more developers abandon the platform -- Sega has even announced that the Sega Saturn will be discontinued at the end of 1999. Could this be the end of the Sega console market? Rumors have it, however, that Sega is still in talks with these companies over releasing games for the next-generation Sega console.

Sony and Nintendo dominated the scene as Sony baited many gamers with hints over the possible announcement of a PlayStation successor in the coming year. This went over fanatically with Sony fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a next-generation successor to the PlayStation console launched at E3 1995.

Nintendo announced that the Nintendo 64DD, a zip-drive attachment for their fanatically popular Nintendo 64, will not be launched this year. Many industry insiders have stated that it is unlikely that this add-on will launch at all, preferably sticking to the tried and true method of cartridges which have served them well for the time.

Microsoft appeared at the convention this year announcing their purchasing of Bungie, a small gaming firm who has a first-person shooter platform in the works. Bungie is known for cooperating with Apple in developing games, so this acquisition of Microsoft could be hinting them moving in an independent direction from the Sega "Pluto" project. Along side the Microsoft booth was NVIDIA, showing off various video demos of Sega Saturn games that have been "improved" with their GeForce graphics.

Another interesting booth at E3 was "Project X", a prototype hardware that would make it possible for DVD discs to play video games. Many eyewitnesses saw Microsoft, Sega and Sony engineers hanging around the booth, but there was no real fanfare for the prototype.

Other games on display here caught public eye. Half-Life, by Valve, appeared again, this time almost completed. Gabe Newell, founder of Valve, stated that "Half-Life will release at the end of 2000 and will be for Windows computers and perhaps some gaming consoles."

Duke Nukem Forever was also on display at E3, which recieved major hype from fans of the franchise. This game claims to be ready for release by Christmas of 1997, for the PlayStation and for the Nintendo 64. Many express doubt, as the game appears horribly unfinished compared to many others.

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was unveiled by Nintendo at the same time to much applause. The Zelda franchise is one of Nintendo's flagships, along side the Mario franchise, so for another game to come out for the Nintendo 64, has many gamers ready to drop the money to buy it immediately.

It could very well be that we are at the beginning of a new generation of gaming, and the fate of it can be decided on who makes the first move, of which Sega and Sony seem to be inching their way towards it.

Unknown · Dec 1, 2013

Good start.

Looks interesting.

Nivek · Dec 1, 2013

Another videogame timeline, if something this board need is more TL like this, nice start Sakura F, very nice and thanks to support this.

So a Sega-MS 'Dream-box' will come... so will be 2000, that would help to fight toe to toe with Sony at early(and with saturn being popular in japan, no need to phase out the saturn yet) and will be enought time to localize as much game sega need to support the Saturn as long as those dates.

Umm the gamecube is still in alpha(codename N2000), more info here: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=es&fromgroups=#!search/N2000$20Nintendo$20Rumors/alt.games.video.nintendo.gamecube/iFXsR3D8OlE/WfOWFTO0jvEJ

Well waiting for more, keep going sakura F

Asami · Dec 1, 2013

March 1999
Sony announces the PlayStation 2!

In a shocking announcement, Sony has announced it intends to release the successor to the famed PlayStation at the end of this year, just in time for Christmas. Sony is the first console developer to release a sequel for the new millennium, giving it an early head-start over Sega and Nintendo, both of whom have yet to make any sort of plans for their console public.

The early specifications of the PlayStation 2 seem to indicate it will include a significant upgrade from the PlayStation, including better graphics and a stronger processor. Rumors of network capabilities and DVD capabilities have been dismissed by Sony as "not an immediate concern to the development of the console". Many gamers are unsure what they mean exactly, but many believe that without being hard-pressed with Sega down their neck, Sony has laxed their competitive edge, or grown drunk on their success. Who knows.

Rumors are feeding in from Nintendo's side of the battlefield, with rumors that some publishers and developers are recieving early development kits for a Nintendo prototype called Dolphin.

So, could we be seeing by Christmas 2000 the Nintendo Dolphin, PlayStation 2, Sega Pluto and even a Microsoft gaming console? Speculation is only speculation, folks, so don't get too excited yet. Sega has remained tight-lipped thus far, however, in New York, a white banner with the infamous blue hedgehog was seen in Times Square, with "2000" printed beneath him. This banner also made an appearance on Sega's website earlier this week, before it was taken down last Friday.

Nivek · Dec 1, 2013

So Sony will Kickstar the PS2 but not DVD, that can be a dual edge sword(the opposite what happened to PS3, for choosing blu-ray they killed the potential of cell cpu and almost goes bankrupt the playstaiton division via overcost) but will unfold interesting...maybe using Dual-layered CD of 1.3GB of capacity? that will allow keep backward compatiblity and have a propietary format...

Maybe released a PS2 with DVD later, much like Panasonic Q( a gamecube with DVD)

So Sega will moved in 2000...maybe nintendo will moved several N64 games to a an early dolphin gamecube?

Asami · Dec 1, 2013

June 15, 1999
E3 1999 Recap:

At this year's E3 in Los Angeles, we saw that the convention featured a predominant Sony and Nintendo theme.

Sony elaborated it's plans for the new PlayStation 2 console. They stated that due to cost constraints, the PS2 would not have a DVD drive, but instead carry a dual-layer CD, which should be "more than sufficient" for people's uses. Launch titles for the PlayStation 2 are rumored to include a whole slew of games, including sequels to the famed Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon franchises, which have been a part of PlayStation folklore.

The Nintendo Dolphin was elaborated more with the CEO of Nintendo America announcing that Nintendo was cooperating with Motorola and others to work towards a 128-bit console with full DVD capabilities, humiliating Sony's new crown jewel. Neither console has announced net capabilities, something that has been buzzing around the Sega Saturn's successor since 1997. Nintendo also focused on their GameBoy line, introducing the new Pokemon Gold Version.

However, a big shock to the show was Microsoft establishing their own booth in join with Sega. Both side-stepped around the details regarding the "new Sega" console, but made promises that it would not disappoint gamers everywhere. Microsoft chairman and CEO Bill Gates came on and explained that "Microsoft chooses to cooperate with a enterprise titan like Sega so that we can bring you, the user, the best option in gaming. With our new Windows Neptune operating system coming around the corner, we fully intend to bring the best of Windows' gaming capabilities to Sega's console."

Many PC gamers and Sega gamers were happy to see themselves represented in the gaming world once more. The details of the console weren't very specific. All Microsoft and Sega would show was a teaser trailer for one of their launch titles. A first person shooter called Halo: Combat Evolved. The graphics were rendered on the experimental hardware for the new console, and gamers were ecstatic over it.

After the advent of this news, various game developers announced their games would be for the "new Sega". Valve announced that Half-Life would be a PC and Sega exclusive. Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games, creators of PlayStation's flagships, Crash and Spyro, announced that they would formally release their new games for the Sega console.

The Sega launch title list grew exponentially in the last month since E3, with more and more developers looking eager to jump onto the Microsoft-Sega joint venture project. One can say this, both Sony and Nintendo are fuming at Sega's sudden move.

But what is Sega unveiling at E3 2000? We still don't know. It could be the console itself, or something much bigger.

Nivek · Dec 1, 2013

hey nice update, show nice thing and good butterflies for future.

Sony coming early will be vital to ensure sucess but will be difficult in long term...maybe we going to see a longer sixth generation before the jump to HD or a intermitadted seventh generation before a full HD one? that will impact butterflies big in the world.

Thanks for using the idea of Dual layered CD, here more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-density_compact_disc (and eveng with RPG being as big as 4 disc, will be enough, heck even gamecube with 1,5 recived much games) (but not Dual DVD means Not Xenosaga...that is better,

)

A DVD using Gamecube will be vital(maybe even better for nintendo game, better music and more videos early) if they manage to sold separatly the DVD Playback, will ensue good synergy with early Pokemon DVD and ensure good third party support(which is the excuse one?

)

But Sega have the proper card, if Use Hard drive and good support will ensue winning the western market share or figthing sony one to one in that regard. Halo as the daddy of modern FPS will allow a big drawn

The console war here will be brutal and we've only started it.

Excellent update, your timeline rocks Sakura.

Hey a niptick...the motorolla thing..if they collaborate with nintendo(alongside panasonic and other) maybe that will affect the GBA, motorolla have good experience with miniatuization and can make an impact.

Maybe using DVD...nintendo will work with Monolith Soft early? making xenosaga with more gameplay and working in xenoblade early?

starwarsfan · Dec 2, 2013

Great TL, reallly interesting TL.

What is the fate of Rareware Ltd

Nivek · Dec 3, 2013

starwarsfan said:
Great TL, reallly interesting TL.

What is the fate of Rareware Ltd

Umm, with MS having Sega for Family/younger audience games, rareware value is reduced, and even rare lack a good buyer(activision back down),umm maybe working with nintendo for a while?

what plans did you have for Nintendo and MS/SEGA Sakura?

Asami · Dec 7, 2013

January 26, 2000
Windows Neptune: The Core of Sega's Enterprise

Many beta testers have eagerly gotten their hands on the new Windows Neptune operating system's latest build. Rumors of it's cancellation in late 1999 were completely unbased! Neptune Technical Beta was made public by beta scene leakers around the 30th, three days after it was compiled. Microsoft confirmed that it was indeed a real build, and inside the technical beta, lay drivers for non-conventional PC hardware, and like NT 5.0, has references to s_neptune. Many believe that this means that Sega has changed the codename of their "Pluto" to "Neptune" to match the Microsoft product.

Earlier this week, a new build of the operating system leaked to the beta scene. Windows Neptune build 5319, which has added many features to the young operating system.

With the Windows Neptune operating system in development, and the Sega console's formal announcement nearing at E3 2000, we're all waiting with baited breath at the arrival of this new OS.

The NepTune operating system is based on the famous Windows NT platform, and is considered the home-client successor to Windows 2000 and Windows 98. A business counterpart, "Codename Odyssey" has been under development, as Build 5319[1] of that has recently leaked to the internet, just hours after Neptune.

Windows Neptune 5111's start screen, screenshot taken January 3, 2000

A few technical details of the "Sega console" have made their way to the internet. The console boasts a "1.50GHz Intel Willamette processor (tba 2000)", implying that the processor inside the console may be different than the Intel Pentium III that powers most personal computers today.

The graphics card is labeled by the internal Microsoft memo as GeForce NV2A. This graphics card is unknown, as the GeForce 2 is planned for launch in April 2000, and NVIDIA has made no reference to a planned NV2A[2] graphics card. Many believe it to be an early form of the GeForce 2's successor card.

Sega and Microsoft both confirmed last September that the new Sega console would include both an Ethernet and modem port, as well as DVD playing and gaming capabilities. Rumors of an online gaming service have been brewing, but so far, neither company has responded to the rumors.

Another rumor is that the Sega console will include a built in hard disk drive, capable of storing thousands of save games, vastly exceeding the planned projection of 8MB memory cards for the PlayStation 2, and the internal memory of Nintendo cartridges.

Could the new millenium hold the Age of Sega and Microsoft? Only time will tell.

----

[1] Windows Neptune OTL was cancelled in early 2000 and merged with Odyssey to form the Whistler project, which released in 2001 as Windows XP Home Edition and Professional. With Sega and Microsoft cooperating, I am going to butterfly away Windows XP's creation for the time being. The only leaked build of Neptune is 5111, which was released in December 1999.

[2] The NV2A was the OTL graphics card for the Microsoft Xbox, it was indeed a derivative of the GeForce 3 series.

Nivek · Dec 7, 2013

Sakura_F said:
January 26, 2000
Windows Neptune: The Core of Sega's Enterprise

A few technical details of the "Sega console" have made their way to the internet. The console boasts a "1.50GHz Intel Willamette processor (tba 2000)", implying that the processor inside the console may be different than the Intel Pentium III that powers most personal computers today.

That processor is too strong and maybe too expensive for that generation(heck 1.5 ghz was 360 prototype build speed), even OTL CPU: 32-bit 733 MHz, custom Intel Pentium III Coppermine-based processor was a beast(that was practivaclly a Pentium 3.5 for some experts), you should used it, is more that enough(and Sega with Panzer Dragoon show how that can used at maximum)

Sakura_F said:

The graphics card is labeled by the internal Microsoft memo as GeForce NV2A. This graphics card is unknown, as the GeForce 2 is planned for launch in April 2000, and NVIDIA has made no reference to a planned NV2A[2] graphics card. Many believe it to be an early form of the GeForce 2's successor card.

Sega and Microsoft both confirmed last September that the new Sega console would include both an Ethernet and modem port, as well as DVD playing and gaming capabilities. Rumors of an online gaming service have been brewing, but so far, neither company has responded to the rumors.

Another rumor is that the Sega console will include a built in hard disk drive, capable of storing thousands of save games, vastly exceeding the planned projection of 8MB memory cards for the PlayStation 2, and the internal memory of Nintendo cartridges.

Could the new millenium hold the Age of Sega and Microsoft? Only time will tell.
----
[1] Windows Neptune OTL was cancelled in early 2000 and merged with Odyssey to form the Whistler project, which released in 2001 as Windows XP Home Edition and Professional. With Sega and Microsoft cooperating, I am going to butterfly away Windows XP's creation for the time being. The only leaked build of Neptune is 5111, which was released in December 1999.

[2] The NV2A was the OTL graphics card for the Microsoft Xbox, it was indeed a derivative of the GeForce 3 series. [/LEFT]

Click to expand...

About the GPU, that was pretty good, make butterflies ensue that Nvidia will not be as greedy and allow better price reduction(thus allow MS and Sega not loss money via price cuts) and better support...that would help Nvidia in long term.

the rest. keep the same as OTL Xbox, Xbox OG was pretty well made, only MS killed it too soon and 360 Take a eternity to make profits...

Nice so far Sakura_F, your work have been amazing, i've loved the TL, so like starwars..will rareware be with nintendo here?

Asami · Dec 7, 2013

I'm undetermined. As for the processor, again, only experimental. I might pull back the specifications some. Plop in a custom Pentium, half-way between P3 and P4... more on the P3 side.

Nivek · Dec 7, 2013

Sakura_F said:
I'm undetermined. As for the processor, again, only experimental. I might pull back the specifications some. Plop in a custom Pentium, half-way between P3 and P4... more on the P3 side.

As Mention much like OTL...look for the Book Unboxing the Xbox of Dean Takahashi, that will be invaluable to know what MS wanted with the Xbox and how was this development(very difficult with almost three differnet hardware specs competing, one from Nvidia, one from ATI/AMD and one intenrnal, Nvidia one won because was practically the console except CPU, OS and Harddrive)

Serioulsy that would be the best.

And about Nintendo... Gamecube will be much OTL? maybe with integrated modem and full DVD, sony is the same as OTL except Dual Layered Disc?

Asami · Dec 11, 2013

E3 2000 Shock! Sega Dreamcast and Atari Mach announced!

Many gamers will recall the catastrophe that was the 1993 Atari Jaguar that launched during the Bit Wars. Atari's legacy faded away after that failure, the last of a long string dating to the Atari 5200 that failed to hold up against the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sega Genesis.

At E3 2000, Sega and Atari both made appearances at the conference, looking to play into the new generation hype. It was here that Sega President Bernie Stolar, and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, announced the final preparations of the new Sega Dreamcast, set to launch by the end of 2000, in time for Christmas. Bill Gates took to the stage, touting the Dreamcast as "a true next-step into revolutionary gaming."

The Dreamcast boasts a full-fledged DVD drive, giving developers a chance to pack the most punch they could into their platform. Many specs listed in the leaked January 2000 memo were confirmed at E3, including the NVIDIA graphics card, among other things.

One of the biggest hypes surrounding this new console, is its launch titles. Halo: Combat Evolved was announced, a joint-development by Bungie, Sega and Microsoft.

Other launch titles for the Dreamcast involve Half-Life from Valve, as well as an assortment of other titles, such as Munch's Odyssey, Dead or Alive 3, Soulcalibur, Sonic Adventure, House of the Dead, Quake III Arena, and Sega Sports' newest planned release, NFL 2K, to counter Madden NFL 00, set to launch for the PlayStation 2.

Another egg-drop for Sega fans was the announcement of a new type of revolutionary gaming to be launched in the immediate future. Bernie Solar announced that immediately with the Dreamcast launch, players would be able to reserve their seat for "X-Net", a joint Sega-Microsoft project to create a massive multiplayer capable network for PC gamers and Sega gamers alike.

This caught many off guard, but Nintendo caught themselves, announcing that like the Dreamcast, the Gamecube would support DVD's. Nintendo's partners in crime seem to be Rareware Ltd, famed amongst Nintendo fans for their development of Donkey Kong Country.

One of the biggest shocks today, was the arrival of Atari. Atari had kept under lid their new project, the Atari Mach, for several months. Allying with low-popularity firms, The Atari Mach is practically sponsored by Hasbro Interactive, and Humongous Games. The Mach has a very kid-oriented line up, with video game versions of Monopoly, Freddie Fish, Pajama Sam, and Spy Fox. Networking is a tenative thing, with only one early title planned for network support, that being Scrabble. Many insiders are unsure if the Mach will survive at all this holiday season.

However, rumors are stirring that many gaming companies will flock to the banners of Sega and Atari, looking for a powerful leader in the coming Console Wars. Microsoft's new Windows Neptune operating system is set to launch formally on August 15, 2000 all over the world. Rumors are already stirring of a successor in the works... Codenamed: Triton.

Nivek · Dec 11, 2013

Umm so Atari would be a new version of the Sega Pico? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Pico or will be another handled(well, Bandai try it with wonderswan and was not shabby either) that would be interestint to see,.

This *Dreamcast looks pretty well, Nintendo seems more eager to act, the *gamecube here would be interesting how unfold(with Full DVD third parties have not excuses to not releases games or port) specially with Nintendo following Sega-MS movement pretty close, that would be interesting how the next Gen console war unfold.

What Sony is doing? As OTL pushing Network gameplay(most because not DVD drive means other troy horse is need it) and planning the Cell Archicteture? well, Square is close to OTL Bankrupt(blame that movie), Having FFX as Multiplatform early would make an impact for the upcoming next generation.

Nivek · Jan 9, 2014

Umm bumping this, Queen Sakura, show some love to this timeline, you leave us with a big teaser, please keep going.

Asami · Jan 11, 2014

January 2001
The numbers are in, and...

The post-Christmas video game industry is always a chopping block. This Christmas marked the market introduction of the PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast, Atari Mach and Nintendo Gamecube. The Dreamcast emerged at the top of the charts, with it's rapidly growing video game library compared to the other platforms.

The PS2 and Gamecube have both been fighting for second place, but failed to make serious dents in Sega's Christmas glory.

Cheers to you, Sega. You took a gamble and you won.

[sorry for the short post]