Cyber Dome
From Sega Retro
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| Cyber Dome | |||||||||
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| System(s): Large attraction | |||||||||
| Publisher: Sega | |||||||||
| Developer: Sega AM5 | |||||||||
| Number of players: 1-8 | |||||||||
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Cyber Dome (サイバードーム) is a large attraction developed and released by Sega in 1990. Following in the footsteps of Namco's more popular Galaxian 3, it is a mini theatre enclosure designed to be played by six to eight players and for larger amusement centers.[2]
Though designed as a theatre enclosure system, only one game was developed for its use; Space Hard. No units are thought to have been installed outside of Japan.
Contents
Design
In its original incarnation, Cyber Dome is a 12m wide, 12m deep and 2.65m high theatre enclosure for eight players, also containing the capacity for a number of bystanders.[3] Players sit in eight augmented reality system and gun yoke equipped cockpits, which simulate in-game motion by moving 2m back and forth.[3] Action is projected onto a 300-inch screen, with player scores and rankings displayed above it through a number of LED clocks. Lighting and sound systems are used to provide fuller immersion.
Promotional material also indicates that a smaller version for six players existed.
History
Development
In an attempt to combat moves made by rival company Namco in creating increasingly large amusement machines for the bigger game centers and facilities appearing in the early 1990s, Sega's AM5 division undertook work on a number of early projects before their later endeavours in creating attractions for the Joypolis venues.[4] One of these would become Cyber Dome, a theatre-like machine that imitated Namco's pre-existing Galaxian 3 - Theatre 6 system, as well as outclassing its supported players in its largest incarnation.
Release
Cyber Dome first appeared publicly at the Amusement Machine Show 1990 in October 1990, alongside another early large attraction, CCD Cart.[3] Unlike the larger CCD Cart, Sega are believed to have manufactured a number of Cyber Dome theatres at some point during either 1991 or 1992, with it making appearances in a small number of Japanese venues like Carnival[5] and playing a part in Sega's En-Joint concept.[6] None appear to have been imported outside of the country.
Archival status
With only a small amount of media currently available and no dumped ROM sets for its one compatible game, Cyber Dome is a early 1990s arcade release by Sega that is still largely shrouded in mystery. It is not known how much remains at Sega of the machine and its supported game, and no enclosures are thought to have survived past the mid 1990s at the latest. Nonetheless, music from Space Hard later made its way into the Formula -G.S.M. SEGA 5- compilation album.
Games
- Space Hard (1990)
Videos
Gallery
Magazine articles
- Main article: Cyber Dome/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
References
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 32
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1990" (JP; 1990-11-08), page 141
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Game Machine, "1990-11-01" (JP; 1990-11-01), page 14
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 144
- ↑ Game Machine, "1991-02-01" (JP; 1991-02-01), page 6
- ↑ File:SegaEnJoint JP Flyer.pdf