TCW Podcast Episode 206 - SEGA Saturn Part 1

In this in-depth exploration of the SEGA Saturn, our focus delves into the intricate technology that underpins the console. We delve into the challenges associated with 3D modeling, collision detection, and object occlusion, scrutinizing how the Saturn, primarily a sprite-based system, manages to incorporate 3D elements. The pivotal moment arrives with the announcement of the Sony PlayStation, prompting SEGA's aspirations for enhanced 3D capabilities. SEGA sought Hitachi's involvement to augment the machine's speed for handling 3D demands. Fortuitously, the utilization of the SH2 chip presented an opportunity for two processors to collaborate seamlessly. Our discussion delves into the profound technical intricacies, laying the groundwork for the subsequent episode where we will unravel the repercussions of these technological endeavors for SEGA and the Saturn.

TCW 127 - Dreams of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/dreams-of-sega/

TCW 129 - The Crash That Almost Was: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-crash-that-almost-was/

Workstation VS Desktop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpBWaiWcXAk

Workstation VS Gaming PCs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMSx2MUHSWM

The Abyss - CGI Making of 1989: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAFIUuFRkBA

Terminator 2 Advanced Photorealistic Morphing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37YrnLbQda0

How Did They Get the CGI in Jurassic Park to Look so Good?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4UuQxjFpfU

TCW 087 - Virtual History: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/virtual-history/

Z-Buffer - Friday Minis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9GyYKcLDaw

How Games Have Worked for 30 Years to Do Less Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHYxjpYep_M

Doom Engine - Limited but still 3D: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYGJQqhMN1U

Collision Detection in Quake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLHXn8IlAiA

MDShock: https://mdshock.com/

RISC vs CISK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rxade2nEjk

Universal Logic Gates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPLg_P9dHNY

Rodrigo Copetti Technical Breakdown Website https://www.copetti.org/

SEGA Saturn Architecture: https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/sega-saturn/

SEGA Saturn Polygon Distorted Sprite Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TleepxIORU

Why Was the SEGA Saturn so Hard to Develop On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa5pIfDvd68

Why Triangulate Game Assets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oY_Ogj9Gh0

New episodes are on the 1st and 15th of every month!

TCW Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/