This reminds me....I still have an Atari 2600 modem (Gameline Master module) laying around here somewhere, released around 1983 :nod: ..
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This reminds me....I still have an Atari 2600 modem (Gameline Master module) laying around here somewhere, released around 1983 :nod: ..
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Yep, the Atari 2600 had modem as well. I think the Intellivision too (or maybe that was the full computer add ons).
I didn't buy my Dreamcast at launch (in fact I bought it after it already had been cancelled) but I do remember the Dream Passport browser being included and advertised on the box.
And like mick_aka said: It did not log into some dedicated server, it allowed full access to the internet.
You thought wrong, buddy. It was a pack-in.Quote:
Originally Posted by kool kitty89
Ah, so SegaNet was just needed for playing online games?Quote:
Originally Posted by fatboy
Because it was. Out of the box. I reserved mine and picked mine up 9/9/99 at my local Toys R Us. It came with the Modem, The Web Browser of which I still have mint in the case and at least a 100 foot phone cord.
Back before SegaNet you could use MOST ISPs or use AT&T WorldNet. Which Sega preferred. I mean this as in AOL, NetZero, and other free/pay ISPs you had to trick to work. AOL I had no luck with. But I did with NetZero. I also picked up the Mouse and Keyboard and had full, for the most part, Internet accessibility on my DC. Flash updates and what not came with new versions of the browser.
I also took advantage of all the online content/play I could get. High Scores, Ghost Cars, Death Matches and game add-ons. There was an add-on for Sonic Adventure that was released for Sonic's Bday.
No other console at the time could do this straight out the box without the purchase of additional accessories. So was the Dreamcast ahead it's time? In my opinion, Definitely.
So you didn't need to use SegaNet at all, or was there something it had that standard ISPs didn't?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cornholio857
Yeah, but in hindsight you could definitely argue that leaving the modem out could have been a safer and more stable decision (ie lose much less per console), let alone the rebate with SegaNet offer dumping even more money they simply didn't have. (not dumping the modem altogether, simply not having it pack-in -maybe having the rebate limited to a free modem+keyboard+browser when you signed up for SegaNet).Quote:
No other console at the time could do this straight out the box without the purchase of additional accessories. So was the Dreamcast ahead it's time? In my opinion, Definitely.
Or for that matter, if they WERE going to eat more cost on an added feature, having DVD built-in would have been a much better investment (at least in hindsight) assuming the cost of doing that wouldn't be hugely more than adding a modem. (of course they could avoid tacking on the cost of a DVD license and pass that on to a peripheral to enable DVD video support like MS did)
Hell, if they didn't use the dial-up modem standard, they could have started offering an ethernet adapter later on and users would have an open choice without sega wasting money on including the dial-up modem. (ie instead of users ending up with both or avoiding the ethernet adapter altogether due to the pack-in modem... with the exception of hypothetical users who bought a modem before the ethernet adapter was available)
Maybe it wasn't clear at the time, but DVD definitely seemed to be the bigger issue in general at the time, especially in Japan. (and a major push for the PS2 on top of Sony's own hype and reputation) And a modem/network adapter would make tons of sense to have separate or included in "deluxe" bundles only while a DVD add-on wouldn't be cost-effective whatsoever. (like the 360 HD-DVD drive)
No, SegaNet was completely optional. Though Sega would have like you to use it. Money in their pockets. You could also use SegaNet on your PC for Internet access. There was nothing special about it from what I recall. Other than a SegaNet email account.Quote:
Originally Posted by kool kitty89
What I meant about tricking ISPs is that NetZero used an algorithm for your username and password. Most users never knew this because they required you use their software, which kept an AD window at the bottom. Which kept it free. If your username was Cornholio857, in reality it may have been h6967cornholio857b9y for example. I used a program that would echo back your REAL username and password when you logged in. I inputted that info into the Dreamcast and I was online with NetZero not using their software and definitely not on a PC!!! LOL
I also remember the DVD vs GD-ROM debate when the Katana's specs were revealed in 97/98 i believe. And also the PowerVR vs 3dFX GPU debate as well. LOL
In hindsight, it definitely seems like DVD was a bigger issue than internet capability, and if DVD wouldn't have cost too much more (just the drive not a DVD video license), that could have been significant. (DVDs are also more durable than CDs in some respects, namely due to the double sided nature meaning a full polycarbonate sandwich vs polycarb with thin protective layer+label over the reflective layer)Quote:
Originally Posted by Cornholio857
The GPU issue is another thing entirely, but I doubt it mattered much given how well the hardware turned out and how developer friendly it was/is. (EA's claims otherwise are total BS and commenting that PowerVR was some unknown thing in the industry make even less sense)
Seganet was supposed to give you a better connection for online (DC) games. At least they claimed such.
It didn't really. I compared my free NetZero connection with my buddies' SegaNet connection back in the day and there was hardly any difference.
Sega Swirl was on every browser disc? Its still a fun game. Iirc it even had a leaderboard for a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by fatboy
Also not every dreamcast had a modem - some were sold for rental (like blockbuster) with a plastic cap to go over where the modem plugs in. This is a mere technicality as, obviously, the giant hole in the side of the system was built with the intent of having a modem there.
I didn't know that about the Blockbuster rentals. They probably didn't have the modems on there because of the risk of people taking them. Thanks for the info!Quote:
Originally Posted by Macabre
Also, on quite a few of the DC Demo discs, if you put the disc in your PC it had a Windows version of Sega Swirl you could install! :cool:
Sega Swirl could also be played "online" via email.