3DO

The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (often just called the 3DO) is a video game console invented by The 3DO Company. It was created by Trip Hawkins, the man who created Electronic Arts. The 3DO was not built by the company itself. They had a list of instructions that other companies could use to build their own. Panasonic made the first models in 1993, and other types of the machine were sold in 1994 by Sanyo and GoldStar.

3D0 Interactive Multiplayer

3DO-FZ1-Console-Set.png Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer.
ManufacturerPanasonic, Sanyo, and GoldStar
TypeVideo game console
GenerationFifth generation
Release dateOctober 4, 1993
Units sold2 million[1]
MediaCD-ROM
Storagecartridge
Online servicesCancelled
Best-selling gameGex, over 1 million[2][3]
Backward
compatibility
No compatibility
PredecessorNone
SuccessorM2 (canceled)

Many good things were said about it when it was created, including being named Time Magazine's "1993 Product of the Year". It also had many technologies that were new and advanced. But the 3DO cost more money than the video game consoles that were already popular. This meant more people bought consoles from Sega or Nintendo instead of the 3D0. Because of this, no more 3D0s were made after 1996.[4] It was also not advertised very well, so almost no one knew about it. Some games planned for it include Alone in the Dark and Myst. The 3DO company also wanted to make another console called the M2, but it was never released.

References

  1. Blake Snow (July 30, 2007). "The 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2007-05-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20070508014611/http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/111822.shtml. Retrieved November 14, 2008. 
  2. "At the Deadline". GamePro (IDG) (85): 174. October 1995. 
  3. "Tidbits...". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (76): 19. November 1995. 
  4. "3DO – 1993–96 – Classic Gaming". Classicgaming.gamespy.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2012-07-31.