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Sphere

V.R. game published 30 years ago by Virtuality, Ltd.

Not listed in MAME yet

Sphere screenshot

Sphere © 1994 Virtuality.

A fast paced battle of tanks, suitable for 1-4 players on the SD2000 or SU2000 unit. Far in the future several nations fight for the last remaining energy reserves on earth. The valuable resources have been stored in giant spheres which represent ultimate power and wealth. Challenge your friends or the computer to compete against you in the battle for the spheres. The goal is to get hold of as many spheres as possible. Sounds easy? Your opponents also want the spheres and no way they will leave it to you without a fight. Every player drives a futuristic tank which is equipped with a deadly cannon. Can you get the spheres? or will you end on the battlefield in a small pile of debris?

TECHNICAL/MACHINE PICT.
1

SD2000 (sit down) hardware

Type of interface: Imersive -HMD-
Physical posture: Sit Down
Motion of the platform: No
Controls: 8-way joystick, Throttle
Computer platform: 486 PC
Type of display: Virtuality Visette 2
Tracking: Polhemus Insidetrack
Size of the Unit: 5 x 4 H 48 inches
Unit Description: Stand Alone POD.

Virtuality Visette 2 headset specifications :
-High impact polymer construction
-Shock absorbing tough design
-Weight : 645 grams/1.4 lbs
-Size : Width=215mm/8,4ins; Height=95mm/3,7ins; -Min depth=295mm/11,6ins; Max depth=345mm/13,5ins
-Hygienic closed cell replaceable comfort pads
-Inter-Pupillary adjustment : 58mm/2.2ins to 70mm/2.7ins
-Field of view per eye : Horizontal=60° Vertical=46.87°
-Visual resolution : 756x244 pixels

Graphical Information:
- Texture mapping capability: Yes
- Number of Polygon per second: 30.000 texture map p/s f:20-25 f/s
- Number of max. moving objects: 512
- Other graphical info: support Gouraud Shading, Texture Mapping, Flat Shading.

Sound:
- Type of sound: 8MB 16 Bit sample. (Stereo).
- Music background: Yes (CDs)

Network Information:
- Max. Number of units networked locally: 8, could be linked to the 2000 SU
- Max. Number of units networked remotly: No (in the future ISDN)

Other Technical Description:
- Mic Net support between players

Players : 4

TRIVIA

The game was marketed to be available for SU2000 (the Stand-Up version) as well, but it is unknown if any customer bought it for a Stand-Up version as a tank simulation is rather suited for the SD2000 (Sit-Down) versions. Technically the SD2000 and SU2000 were using identical hardware.

SOURCES

Game's picture.
Game's screenshots.