Sega VR

The Sega VR was a virtual reality headset under development by Sega.

Features

The Sega VR was based on an IDEO virtual reality headset (HMD) with LCD screens in the visor and stereo headphones.^[1] Inertial sensors in the headset allowed the system to track and react to the movements of the user's head.

Development

Sega, flush with funds from the success of its Mega Drive (released as the Sega Genesis in North America), announced the console in 1991.^[1]

Because of development difficulties the Sega VR remained only a prototype, and was never released to the general public. It was last seen at the 1993 Summer CES where it was introduced by Alan Hunter.^[2] It vanished from release schedules in 1994. Four games were apparently developed for the system, each using 16 MB cartridges that were to be bundled with the headset.^[1]

The company claimed to have terminated the project because the virtual reality effect was too realistic. Users might move while wearing the headset and injure themselves.^[1] The limited processing power of the system makes this claim unlikely,^{[citation needed]} although there were reports of testers developing headaches and motion sickness.^[1] Mark Pesce, who worked on the Sega VR project, says SRI International, a research institute, warned Sega of the 'hazards of prolonged use'.^[3]

Games

Only four games were known to be in development.^[4]

• Nuclear Rush: A simulation in which users pilot a hovercraft in a futuristic war.
• Iron Hammer: In this helicopter simulation, gamers pilot a flying gunship a la EA’s popular “Strike” series.
• Matrix Runner: This has noting to do with The Matrix, it was reported to be a “cyberpunk” adventure game inspired by Hideo Kojima’s Snatcher.
• Outlaw Racing: Road Rash meets Rock -n- Roll Racing in this vehicle racing/combat game.

Legacy

Sega went on to other VR projects for use in arcades and a similar add-on was reported but never seen for the Sega Saturn.^[1][5] The project encouraged a brief flurry of other companies to offer VR products.^{[citation needed]}

Sega's chief competitor, Nintendo, would go on to release the ill-fated Virtual Boy in 1995. The table-top device also brought discomfort after extended play.^[6]

References