Interview: Stewart Kosoy (1993-08) by Mega Force (Spain)

This is an unaltered copy of an interview of Stewart Kosoy, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: Mega Force (Spain), Issue 16

The initials “V.R.” stand for Virtual Reality. Beneath these two words hides extraordinary technical progress that opens the world of video games to a great number of applications. To completely understand what virtual reality means to Sega, we’ve spoken to one of its designers: Mr. Stewart E. Kosoy.

MegaForce: What does virtual reality as an innovation mean for the general public?

Stewart Kosoy: At Sega, we’ve been thinking about virtual reality for a long time. In October 1991, we began to work on it. We thought the project was quite interesting. Finally, after 12 months of work, we can present the results for the world to see.

Mega Force: What are the principal problems you’ve faced in designing the virtual reality goggles and system in general?

Stewart Kosoy: Honestly, the version of Sega’s virtual reality that you’ve seen here isn’t completely finished. The goggles gave us some minor problems. Every person’s eyesight is different – good or bad – and our system functions the same way for everyone without distinction. Thus far, those who wear glasses are at a disadvantage and for the moment can’t enjoy all of the extraordinary abilities offered by this new technology Sega has developed. But my team and I are working to solve this problem.

MegaForce: You spoke of Sega VR’s abilities… Could you elaborate a bit more?

Stewart Kosoy: At Sega, we have enormous faith in this new technology; it’s the first step towards the video games of the future. For the moment, with a simple Mega Drive we can play in virtual reality. The helmet or goggles use one connection port and the glove uses another. But we seriously think that by way of a modem, such as the one that already exists in Japan, two players could face each other in a completely imaginary world, truly immersed inside the game. Imagine two physical people who move in a virtual world… space, for example, where a war is fought, like in Star Wars, and where they can move and make each of their movements.  At the moment, evidently, only the movements of the player’s head can be detected by the helmet. If he moves his head, the landscape with shift; if he lifts his head, his perspective will change. That way, it is possible to have a panoramic view of the game’s entire environment. This new dimension is what makes the games so exciting, but to get a better idea, it’s best to try it out.

(I slide into the equipment, and a member of Sega’s team helps me adjust the helmet and hands me a controller. The first Sega VR game is Nuclear Rush that puts the player in a three-dimensional world. From the top of a hovercraft, I have to shoot at all the enemies that are within range of my laser. Although the game itself is nothing mind-blowing, the effects are simply fantastic, thanks to the helmet’s field of vision. After a few rounds, I return to my interview with Mr. Kosoy.)

MegaForce: It’s extraordinary.

Stewart Kosoy: I’m sure Sega VR is a revolutionary instrument of play.

MegaForce: What other titles are being developed for Sega VR?

Stewart Kosoy: Currently, we’re working on three titles. Iron Hammer is a 3D space shooting game that has 30 stages and will take players to amazing places. The other two are Matrix Runner, a space battle against robots, and Outlaw Racing, where players can compete against 20 other racers.

MegaForce: For the moment, these games all exist in cartridge form, but are you planning to release other versions?

Stewart Kosoy: Well, those products are also being considered by our R&D labs.

MegaForce: When do you think virtual reality will be ready for sale?

Stewart Kosoy: Sega VR will be available in the U.S. by Christmas, and its price should be under $200 (around 25,000 pesetas); however, we don’t know exactly when it will be for sale in Europe.