3DO unveils its highly anticipated, next-generation M2 technology

The 3DO Company today unveiled its highly anticipated, next-generation M2 technology. 3DO’s M2 64-bit architecture is designed to create a quantum leap in advanced CD entertainment technology. Leveraging 3DO’s high-end 3-D image and sound processors and IBM and Motorola’s PowerPC microprocessor, M2 technology rivals image quality and performance of workstations and the most popular arcade machines.

“It’s a quantum leap for the industry in both graphics speed and quality,” said Trip Hawkins, 3DO’s President and CEO.

“We’re raising the bar again.”

M2 Performance Breakthrough 3DO designed the M2 architecture to deliver breakthrough processing performance and the highest quality graphics and digital video for consumer interactive entertainment software.

“The M2 polygon performance alone is phenomenal,” said Hugh Martin, 3DO’s Chief Operating Officer.

“M2 easily beats many expensive graphics workstations and outpaces popular coin-op arcade systems. With its advanced graphics, video, and sound capabilities, M2’s powerful 64-bit architecture will enable software developers to create titles that provide a whole new level of realism and engaging experiences not previously available on advanced CD entertainment systems.”

Based on 10 revolutionary custom graphics, sound, and I/O processors designed by 3DO, and an IBM PowerPC 602(TM) microprocessor specially designed with 3DO interactive applications in mind, the M2 architecture processes more than one million polygons per second. Each of the multiple M2 processors is dedicated to specific tasks to optimize superior image quality and performance. These processors are supported by the powerful system resources that M2 technology provides, including a 64-bit data bus, 48 megabits of memory, and a memory subsystem capable of delivering 528 megabytes per second. MPEG-1 digital video decompression technology is also designed into the core M2 architecture for built-in VHS-quality digital video capability.

“The superior price and performance of the PowerPC 602 is enabling new classes of advanced home entertainment software,” said Phil Hester, General Manager, Systems Technology and Architecture Division, IBM.

“Working together with 3DO, we’ve defined the 602 with unique capabilities to make M2 the best possible technology for interactive entertainment applications. 3DO’s 64-bit M2 system architecture will forever change the way people play, learn, and interact.”

The highly integrated M2 architecture was developed from the ground up and is the result of working with the world’s leading processor, graphics, and audio system designers.

“IBM and Motorola’s world class manufacturing process will allow us to achieve superior performance through higher integration,” said Hawkins.

“With the PowerPC microprocessor and 3DO’s custom M2 processors, we have a processor family that offers truly next-generation performance.”

Beyond the Bits

M2’s revolutionary image quality and performance features will enable development of interactive entertainment software that provides an unprecedented level of realism, with richly detailed interactive worlds containing multiple, complex 3-D characters.

With photorealistic images, high frame rates, VHS-quality video, and theater-quality sound, the M2 interactive software experience will be radically better than anything consumers are familiar with today.

“The M2 capabilities demonstrated today go far beyond anything currently available on the market or in development for the advanced CD entertainment market,” said Martin.

“Features like Gouraud shading, filtered textures, 3-D perspective correction, and complex scenes requiring performance in the hundreds of thousands of polygons per second, will take gamers into a whole new dimension of realism and fun.”

“With the first 3DO system, we delivered the very best interactive entertainment experience for the home,” added Hawkins. “M2 will once again set the standard — this time for the 64-bit advanced CD entertainment experience.”