In this 1995 episode of The Computer Chronicles, Stuart Cheifet takes a look at the cutting-edge in gaming entertainment in the mid 90’s. This was quite an interesting time for home gaming, as 3D graphics rendering was reaching a point where decent quality images could be generated in real time. Windows 95 brought DirectX technology, allowing game developers to take more direct control the new, powerful computer hardware available at that time, much better than MS-DOS or 16 bit Windows could manage, and game consoles of that time period, the then new Sega Saturn and PlayStation, were built heavily around the idea of 3D graphics being the norm (Indeed, the PlayStation actually lacked a dedicated 2D graphics system it was based so heavily on polygons for it’s functionality.)
The episode is certainly from late 1995, due to it mentioning Windows 95 as a released operating system. It also covers the absolutely awesome Mechwarrior 2, Phantasmagoria, and more games, while also touching on early online gaming (well, more of an online community focused on gaming) and more.
Of note is the focus early on on this episode on a CD-ROM based game that happens to fall for the early CD gaming tactic of using lots of full motion video rather than using the CD to store traditional game data – these games never aged well and while impressive back in those days, they actually didn’t stack up much as far as game play goes.
Oh, and let’s not forget the $3,000 gaming machine: 6x CD-ROM drive, 133 mhz Pentium processor, 1.6 gigabyte hard drive, 45 watt speaker system, and 11 games built in! Times have changed, haven’t they?
For the person who really loves gaming history, this is a nice episode. Enjoy!