CompuServe Thread

Atari strikes back

26 messages in this thread
#105307From: Tom JonesJun 28, 1993 5:00 PM
I am hearing news that Atari is leasing manufacturing capacity from IBM to produce a new machine called the "Jaguar" that supports 16 million colors and polygon graphics. Anyone know what this thing is? Tom AGA means "Amiga is Going Again" { Internet: jonest@hfsi.com 1:147/2020.5@fidonet }
#105371From: Robert ComerJun 29, 1993 12:23 AM
I've heard the specs on it, and it sounds like a 3DO to me. (very similar anyway…) Sound quite impressive, though I've heard no word on the OS (and that's what can make or break this machine.) Bob Comer — Cruising the nets on AutoPilot from Cheyenne, Wyoming
#105425From: Steve AhlstromJun 29, 1993 12:41 PM
Jaguar is a game machine meant to compete with the upcoming 3DO, SegaCD, Super NES, etc. -sja
#105956From: DarkinJul 3, 1993 11:41 AM
Check out the ATARI8 forum, Tom. They have a section there devoted to the new Jaguar.
#105986From: Tom SawyerJul 3, 1993 6:54 PM
Tom, This is somthing I found when I did a Atari search on my HD: ATARI LAUNCHES THE JAGUAR, A 64-BIT MULTI-MEDIA GAME SYSTEM – SUNNY- VALE, CA (JUNE 3) PR NEWSWIRE – Atari Corp. (AMEX: ATC), the founder of the video game industry and the creative force behind some of the world's best-known titles, has announced the launch of a revolutionary new multi-media entertainment system, the Atari Jaguar. The launch will be supported by aggressive advertising, promotion and marketing efforts to be centered in the New York market in the fall, with a national roll- out of the product within one year. The Atari Jaguar, housed in a futuristic casing, is an interactive multi-media system based on an Atari-designed proprietary 64-bit RISC processor. The 64-bit system is four times the technology currently seen in the market today. The Atari Jaguar features over 16 million colors in 24-bit true-color graphics and produces shaded 3-D polygons to be manipulated in a "real" world in real time. The Atari Jaguar also has real-time texture mapping and creates spectacular video effects. The sound system is based on Atari's proprietary, high-speed, Digital Signal Processor dedicated to audio. The audio is 16-bit stereo CD qual- ity and processes simultaneous sources of audio data, allowing for very realistic sounds, as well as human voices, which are essential for future multi-media applications. The Atari Jaguar is truly expandable and will include a 32-bit ex- pansion port which allows for future connection into cable and telephone networks, as well as a digital signal processing port for modem use and connection to digital audio peripherals such as DAT players. The unit will also have a compact disc peripheral, which will be double-speed and will play regular CD audio, CD + G (Karaoke) and Kodak's new Photo-CD(R). Currently, there are multiple software titles in development, which will be available on MegaCart(TM). Atari, known for such groundbreaking 3-D titles as "Battlezone 2000(R)" and "Tempest 2000(R)," will issue spectacular new versions for the Atari Jaguar. New 3-D game titles will include "Cybermorph(R)," "Alien vs. Predator(R)," "Jaguar Formula One Racing(TM)" and many more. Atari will license third-party publishers to join the Jaguar family. "The Atari Jaguar system will revolutionize the state of home enter- tainment as we see it today," said Sam Tramiel, president of Atari. "The idea of a 64-bit system is earth shattering and kids and adults will be amazed at both the imagery and manipulative capabilities. And we are proud that our entry into the multi-media entertainment category will be fully made in America." The Atari Jaguar will retail for approximately $200 and will be avai- lable nationwide next year. The Atari Jaguar packaged unit will include one software experience and a Power Pad(R) Controller with a ten-key pad and other special features. Atari Corp. manufactures and markets personal computers and video games for the home, office and educational marketplaces throughout the world. Atari headquarters are located at 1196 Borregas Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94089. CONTACT: August J. Liguori of Atari Corp., 408-745-2069
#106008From: Clint Woeltjen@VRLIJul 3, 1993 10:19 PM
Tom: And later on in the month, they announced a partnership with IBM to help manufacture the beast. Clint <Chaocity>
#106161From: Tom SawyerJul 5, 1993 11:34 AM
Clint, That is info i missed out on. thanks.:) Thomas
#106050From: Bruce FranklinJul 4, 1993 11:17 AM
Atari is just about broke. How are they going to pay for "aggressive advertising, promotion and marketing efforts" for their new game console?
#106160From: Tom SawyerJul 5, 1993 11:34 AM
"How are they going to pay for "aggressive advertising.." They announced a partnership with IBM! Sounds very smart don't it? Thomas
#106186From: Bruce FranklinJul 5, 1993 1:34 PM
>They announced a partnership with IBM. It's not a partnership. IBM is just going to build the consoles and Atari is supposed to pay them for it. All marketing and development expensives must be met by Atari. That brings us back to the original question: How are they going to pay for it?
#106203From: Paul HigginbottomJul 5, 1993 3:40 PM
I hope IBM checked their (Atari's) credit carefully! IBM can't go on losing billions forever.
#106217From: Clint Woeltjen@VRLIJul 5, 1993 7:47 PM
Bruce: The AP article describes is as a partnership. "Officials declined to give details on the partnership." Whether or not they were excersizing literary license is unclear. Time-Warner still owns 25% of Atari. There is a large potential source of funding. Clint <Chaocity>
#106233From: Richard EricksonJul 5, 1993 10:07 PM
Remember Time-Warner is having it's own problems. I doubt they will just drop large sums of cash to help Atari. Richard -> via the Amiga 1000 AutoPilot
#106261From: Brian BartlettJul 6, 1993 5:58 AM
Richard, yes, Time-Warner has its own problems, but remember, compared to a multi-billion dollar debt, dropping a few million on Atari compares quite readily to you or I being several years income in debt and dropping five bucks on a hamburger and fries. Always keep in mind the scale. Brian
#106284From: Richard EricksonJul 6, 1993 12:25 PM
Brian, My guess would be that TW would sell off their 25% before they would helping Atari with cash. If I remember right TW is a player in 3DO. Richard -> via the Amiga 1000 AutoPilot
#106263From: Dale LarsonJul 6, 1993 6:43 AM
I believe that the Atart that Time-Warner owns 25% off is the Atari that makes arcade games and is not the same as the Atari that makes computers (didn't they split off years ago?). Dale Larson – An Amiga Software Engineer with some time on his hands.
#106264From: Robby CookeJul 6, 1993 6:55 AM
Dale, Time-Warner own 25% of Atari Corp. not Atari(Tengen) Games. -Rob
#106311From: Clint Woeltjen@VRLIJul 6, 1993 4:50 PM
Dale: I think the computer development is just a devision, as they are both controlled by Tramiel. Never can tell with the way corporations juggle things though. It's the games portion that's making the Jaguar anyway. Clint <Chaocity>
#106355From: Don Curtis/SYSOPJul 6, 1993 11:40 PM
Clint, No…Atari Games (Tengen I believe) is a totally separate company from Atari Computer. They originally were one and the same company, but not since about 1985. Don
#106368From: Clint Woeltjen@VRLIJul 7, 1993 12:28 AM
Don: Well, the company that's doing the Jaguar and has the deal with IBM is Tramiel's company, whatever that is. The paper calls it Atari Corp, and credits it with being the game producer (with no mention of the computer), but I haven't followed Atari and have only the info in the article to go by. By the way, to change the subject Apple officially announced the rumored layoff of 2500 today. It had been "officially rumored" last week. Clint <Chaocity>
#106404From: Robby CookeJul 7, 1993 10:38 AM
To further add to the Atari storys that have been recently pouring out is that Time-Warner has given Atari rights to its entire movie library or something like that.The news is in NEWSGRID. -Rob
#106476From: Paul HigginbottomJul 7, 1993 11:07 PM
Let me just clear this up. When the Tramiel's bought Atari around 1984, they didn't buy the coin-op division, i.e., the ARCADE games division. What they did buy was doing game consoles (2600, 5200, 7800, etc.) and computers (400, 800, and later ST, etc). Atari (what Tramiel's have) is still widely viewed as a game company, even though what they make these days are only computers (and very few of those even judging by sales levels). If they can really pull off this 64 bit, $200 Jaguar, they could really have a winner. I am personally unimpressed with what I've read about 3DO so far. Lots of hype, lots of backing, but then, so did NeXT – remember them? I think 3DO's target price is too high (sounds like NeXT again). The success of these so called multimedia machines will rely on two things: marketing, and titles. Technology can help make good titles possible, but it certainly doesn't guarantee it. Creating good titles is HARD, and again, IMHO, really requires Hollywood talent, not programmers. Paul.
#106479From: mark hinzJul 7, 1993 11:12 PM
Clint, My understanding of the Atari sale/split was that Tramial got the Atari peices that produced Computers and home game consols, while the remaining part that makes arcade games – the most profitable part of Atari at the time of the sale – is owned by someone else (Time-Warner I believe??). // .Cruising on AutoPilot \X/
#106482From: Don Curtis/SYSOPJul 7, 1993 11:52 PM
Clint, Yea…I read that about Apple. Humm….I wonder if Commodore even has 2500 folks left…let alone 2500 "surplus" folks. Don
#106449From: Tom SawyerJul 7, 1993 7:37 PM
"How are they going to pay for it?" Bruce, I don't have any idea really. My guess is half a**.:) Thomas
#106185From: John GagerJul 5, 1993 1:34 PM
All this for only $200 eh? I wonder what kind of drugs the Tramiel's have been taking lately? Must be some good mind altering stuff 8^) // John – (Flying via AutoPilot) \X/ "Worf: To Hell with the Prime Directive – Give the Borg Windows!"