Sega Net Link

Sega Net Link (also called Sega Saturn Net Link) is an attachment for the Sega Saturn game console to provide Saturn users with internet access and access to email through their console. The unit was released in October 1996.[1] The Sega Net Link fit into the Sega Saturn cartridge port and consisted of a 28.8 kbit/s modem, a custom chip to allow it to interface with the Saturn, and a browser developed by Planetweb, Inc.[2] The unit sold for US$199,[2] or US$400 bundled with a Sega Saturn. In 1997 Sega began selling the NetLink Bundle, which included the standard NetLink plus the compatible games Sega Rally Championship and Virtual On: Cyber Troopers NetLink Edition, for $99.[3]

"NetLink" redirects here. For the Linux program, see Netlink.
The Sega Net Link

The Net Link connected to the internet through standard dial-up services. Unlike other online gaming services in the US, one does not connect to a central service, but instead tells the dial-up modem connected to the Saturn's cartridge slot to call to the person with whom one wishes to play. Since it requires no servers to operate, the service can operate as long as at least two users have the necessary hardware and software, as well as a phone line.[4]

In Japan, however, gamers did connect through a centralized service known as SegaNet, which would later be taken offline and converted for Dreamcast usage.

History
An official Sega-branded keyboard for the Saturn, used for browsing the internet with Net Link.
A PS/2 keyboard adapter, required for connecting a keyboard to the Saturn for web browsing.

According to Yutaka Yamamoto, Sega of America's director of new technology, the Saturn's design allowed it to access the internet purely through software: "Sega engineers always felt the Saturn would be good for multimedia applications as well as game playing. So they developed a kernel in the operating system to support communications tasks."[5]

While the Net Link was not the first accessory which allowed console gamers in North America to play video games online (see online console gaming), it was the first to allow players to use their own Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect. While Sega recommended that players use Concentric, the Sega Net Link enabled players to choose any ISP that was within its technical specifications.[6] The device was capable of connecting at a 28.8 kilobit/s connection in America[6] and 14.4 kbit/s in Japan. However, it suffered from memory limitations; the modem's static RAM could store only account information and bookmarks, leaving only the Saturn's limited internal RAM for any downloaded data. This makes it impossible to download audio or video clips, save e-mail messages, or put previously loaded web pages into cache.[6]

In Japan, the Net Link required the use of smartcards with prepaid credits. The Saturn had a floppy drive and printer cable converter (both Japan only) which could be used with the Net Link. A web browser from Planetweb was included, and a mouse and keyboard adapter were available to simplify navigation.[6] Sega also released a dedicated Saturn mouse and Saturn keyboard.[7] In addition, to allow users to browse with just the Saturn joypad, Sega produced a series of CDs containing hundreds of website addresses.[8][9] The browser included a space magnifying function.[10][11]

The Planetweb browser was written in C, and runs on just 570 KB, whereas a typical PC browser of the time used up about 6 MB.[12] At the time most television screens ran at a lower resolution than computer monitors, so the browser used anti-aliasing to smooth out the edges of onscreen text characters.[7] The browser could not properly display web sites which use frames.[13]

Five games were released that supported the NetLink. All five were released in late 1997, nearly a year after the NetLink itself.[13] Players could search for other players either on the Internet or using the XBAND matchmaking system, then connect peer-to-peer via modem, or alternatively, use two NetLinks to connect two Saturns and two televisions set up in the same room (thus eliminating the need for a phone line and essentially using the NetLink to emulate the Saturn Link Cable).[13]

Launching at 15,000 yen in Japan and $199 in the USA, it was considered very inexpensive compared to competing online services.[6][8] It was a runner-up for Electronic Gaming Monthly's Best Peripheral of 1996 (behind the Saturn analog controller).[14] Despite the media excitement over the device and its prominent appearance in Sega's marketing campaign, less than 1% of Saturn owners purchased the NetLink in 1996.[15] Over its lifetime, an estimated 50,000 NetLink units were sold in North America, half of Sega's original goal.[4] Another 1,100 units were donated by Sega of America to schools, in partnership with the nonprofit group Projectneat.[16]

In 2017, fans were able to make the NetLink work a modern highspeed connection with VoIP.[17][18][19]

The Net Link Zone connected to an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server irc.sega.com which was changed to the server irc0.dreamcast.com on the release of Sega's Dreamcast. These servers were originally run by Sega employees but were given over to be run by Net Link chat users Leo Daniels and Mark Leatherman.

Successor

SegaNet was launched in 2000 for the Dreamcast, carrying the same name in Japan. The European counterpart was called Dreamarena.

The following games are compatible with the Net Link:[20]

See also

Notes
  1. "Sega Turns to Net Link and Digital Camera". GamePro. No. 99. IDG. December 1996. p. 33.
  2. "Nintendo, Sega, & Sony Under One Roof". Next Generation. No. 20. Imagine Media. August 1996. p. 9.
  3. "E3's Best Deal: The $99 NetLink Bundle". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 98. Ziff Davis. September 1997. p. 74.
  4. Vinciguerra, Robert A. (4 August 2010). "Discovering the World Through a Sega Saturn NetLink". The Rev. Rob Times. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  5. The Whizz (June 1996). "Saturn Surfs the 'Net". GamePro. No. 93. IDG. p. 22.
  6. "Internet Access, Network Games Hit Saturn - For Less than $400". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 84. Ziff Davis. July 1996. p. 18.
  7. The Whizz (December 1996). "Online with the Saturn". GamePro. No. 99. IDG. p. 46.
  8. Ramshaw, Mark James (January 1996). "Generator". Next Generation. No. 13. Imagine Media. p. 31.
  9. "Saturn to Get Internet Connection Facilities in '96!". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 5. March 1996. p. 8.
  10. "See the World!". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 9. Emap International Limited. July 1996. p. 8.
  11. "Navigating the Net Link". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 89. Ziff Davis. December 1996. p. 24.
  12. "'Sega City' Nears Online Launch". Next Generation. No. 23. Imagine Media. November 1996. p. 19.
  13. Dan Elektro (December 1997). "The Saturn's Net Worth". GamePro. No. 111. IDG. pp. 32–33.
  14. "The Best of '96" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 92. Ziff Davis. March 1997. p. 90.
  15. "Who Won the Videogame Wars of 1996?". Next Generation. No. 28. Imagine Media. April 1997. p. 18.
  16. "Tidbits" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 91. Ziff Davis. February 1997. p. 22.
  17. "NetLink Internet Modem". Sega Retro.
  18. Itsstillthinking (16 July 2017). Sega Saturn Netlink Games With Voip 2017 (Sega Rally And Daytona Usa, Bomberman and Virtual On) – via YouTube.
  19. Itsstillthinking (17 March 2017). Sega Saturn Netlink Games With Voip 2017, Virtual On And Saturn Bomberman Netlink Editions – via YouTube.
  20. Scary Larry (August 1997). "NetLink: The Saturn Savior?". GamePro. No. 107. IDG. pp. 22–23.
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