Memories of 3DO

Remember Winamp skins? Burned CDs? AIM away messages? The Dreamcast? Those weird little corners of the internet that somehow felt more human than everything online today?Maybe we don’t actually miss the technology. Maybe we miss how it made us feel.Artifacts is a podcast about forgotten platforms, dead gadgets, old internet culture, creative communities, and the strange emotional connection we still have to them.But this isn’t just nostalgia. It’s about why these things mattered.Why people still defend the Zune.Why some gamers are still obsessed with the Dreamcast.Why old forums felt more personal than social media.Why podcasting used to feel smaller… and maybe more exciting.Every episode starts with an artifact. And then follows the story underneath it. The people. The feeling. The moment in time. And what it says about who we are now.Because sometimes the objects fade. But the feeling doesn't.I’m Danny Brown.And this is Artifacts.Get involvedIf you enjoy Artifacts, you can support it with a one-off tip.No subscriptions, no commitment - just a simple way to say thanks. Show your support here.If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favourite podcast app!And please let your friends and other podcasters know they can listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, their preferred podcast app, or online at Artifacts Podcast.Products I Use for ArtifactsNote: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.My equipment:RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser micRodecaster Pro II audio production studioSony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor HeadphonesElgato Wave Mic Arm Low ProfileRecommended resources:Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetizationHindenburg Pro recording and editingAuphonic AI assistant for audio post production

If 1994 was the year that the 3DO finally got the quality games that had offered the promise the machine held, 1995 was when it truly solidified its reputation as a serious piece of kit.Owners of the system were treated to excellent games like:Killing Time, a photo-realistic take on the first person shooting gameReturn Fire, an excellent multiplayer war game, where vehicles and strategy played a huge partSlam 'n' Jam, an awesome and super fun basketball game BattleSport, a futuristic sports battle game, and a forerunner to this generation's Rocket LeagueSpace Hulk: Vengeance, a hugely atmospheric shooter based on the popular board gameand Demolition Man, a movie tie in that offered scenes from the Sylvester Stallone movie alongside a multi-genre platformer. These were just some of the games that helped the 3DO company enjoy their best sales since launch. Coupled with the ongoing teases of the upcoming 64-bit upgrade, the M2, and other hardware partners releasing versions of the console, 1995 looked as if it was going to be a banner year for the machine.However, there were storm clouds on the horizon, from both a gaming and a financial viewpoint. On the gaming front, while Sega had released the Saturn at the end of 1994, it was industry newcomer Sony who was making the biggest noise with their PlayStation, also released in Japan at the end of 1994.Back at the 3DO company, despite the excellent games lineup the company published throughout the year, it was clear things weren't looking good. The Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation had essentially stalled sales of the 3DO console, and the licensing model that the 3DO company hoped would change things in the industry hadn't made the impact the company hoped for.Get involved:Support the showFollow Danny on TwitterMy equipment:Electro-Voice RE320Motu M2 Audio InterfaceDenon DJ HP-1100 Over Ear HeadphonesPodcast Pro Boom Arm by Accu-Lite and O.C. WhiteRecommended resources:Captivate.fmAweber email marketingAccusonus audio pluginsBoomcaster remote interviewingMy Podcast ReviewsReel.so audiogram creator

As the launch of the 3DO got closer, the problems surrounding the hardware, a lack of games, and an astronomical price looked set to doom the hardware before it had even launched. But a surprise success in an unexpected market was about to give the machine a timely boost.

In the first episode of Memories of 3DO, learn about the gaming legends behind the system, and how a new challenger to SEGA and Nintendo's dominance came from the unlikeliest of sources.