Edge 16
From Sega Retro
 |
| Edge 16 |
|---|
| Made for: Sega Mega Drive |
| Manufacturer: PF Magic, AT&T |
| Type: Network tool |
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Edge 16 is an unreleased Sega Mega Drive modem created as a joint venture between PF Magic and AT&T.
Contents
Hardware
The Edge 16 was a device to be inserted into the cartridge slot of a Mega Drive console, allowing two players to compete with Mega Drive games through the internet - control pad signals would be sent through the phone line, as would sounds from a microphone to allow players to communicate. A card slot at the front of the device would have been used to save game data to memory cards.[1] A keyboard attachment was also shown, though few details are known about it.
Games
While very few games were specifically announced to support the Edge 16, two titles were confirmed to have planned support for the modem: PF Magic's own Ballz 3D: The Battle of the Balls, and GameTek's Brutal: Paws of Fury.[2] Notably, in the case of the former, the game still retains code for the Edge 16, and would presumably work as intended when provided the corresponding hardware.
Dynamix, Electronic Arts and Sega were all reportedly interested in developing for the hardware[3].
List of games with planned support
History
Announced in July 1993 at Summer CES 1993, the Edge 16 was initially scheduled for a summer 1994 launch in the United States, with software support from developers Electronic Arts, Tengen, GameTek and Microprose.[4] It made its first appearance in January 1994 at Winter CES 1994, where attendees could play matches of Ballz 3D across the booth via two Edge 16 units. While appearing promising in the gaming press, this would be the system's one and only appearance.
Reportedly, the Edge 16 was fully completed and ready to ship by September 1994, but AT&T changed its mind about entering the video game industry in the autumn of 1994[5], and the hardware was ultimately left unreleased. An AT&T spokesperson commented that "the company chose to devote attention to developing new telephone technologies", but that the possibility of selling the Edge 16 to a third-party wasn't out of the question.[6] The limited lifespan of the Mega Drive as the industry moved to 32-bit and 64-bit consoles was cited as an additional reason for its cancellation.[5] Had it actually made it to store shelves, it would have been priced between $100 and $150 USD.[7]
Magazine articles
- Main article: Edge 16/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
US print advert
Images
Promotional photograph from Summer CES 1993.
Promotional photograph from Summer CES 1993.
A promotional photograph of an unknown game being played.
A modern photograph of a unit owned by a collector.
A modern photograph of a unit owned by a collector.
A modern photograph of a unit owned by a collector.
References
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-15), page 20
- ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 9
- ↑ EGM², "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 37
- ↑ VideoGames, "September 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 18
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 11 November 1994" (US; 1994-1x-xx), page 14
- ↑ GamePro, "November 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 284
- ↑ Edge, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-08-19), page 15