3DO Interactive Multiplayer
The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, also referred to as simply 3DO, is a home video game console developed by The 3DO Company. Conceived by entrepreneur and Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, the 3DO was not a console manufactured by the company itself, but a set of specifications, originally designed by Dave Needle and RJ Mical of New Technologies Group, that could be licensed by third parties. Panasonic produced the first models in 1993, and further renditions of the hardware were released afterwards by GoldStar, Sanyo, Creative Labs, and Samsung Electronics in 1997.
Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer | |
| Developer | The 3DO Company |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Panasonic, Sanyo, GoldStar, Creative Technology |
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Fifth generation era |
| Release date | |
| Lifespan | 1993–1997 |
| Introductory price |
|
| Units sold | Approx. 2 million or more (worldwide) |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| CPU | 32-bit custom ARM CPU (ARM60) @ 12.5 MHz |
| Memory | 2 MB RAM, 1 MB VRAM |
| Storage | 32 KB SRAM |
| Display | 320×240 @ 60 Hz, 384×288 @ 50 Hz; 16-bit palettized color (from 24-bit) or 24-bit true color. |
| Graphics | Panasonic FZ-1 "Madam" graphics accelerator |
| Sound | Panasonic FZ-1 "Clio" DSP: 16-bit stereo @ 44.1 kHz, 4-Channel Dolby Surround; |
| Online services | Planned but canceled |
| Best-selling game | Gex, over 1 million |
| Successor | Panasonic M2 (canceled) |
Despite having a highly promoted launch (including being named Time magazine's "1993 Product of the Year"), the console received mixed to negative reviews, and an oversaturated console market prevented the system from achieving success comparable to competing consoles from Sega and Sony, rendering its discontinuation by 1996. In 1997, The 3DO Company sold its "Opera" hardware to Samsung.