Why Didn't Xband Make the Jump?

Xranger60 · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:32 am Post subject: Why Didn't Xband Make the Jump?

As I've been re-reading some of the old Xband materials still available on the web, I've been wondering why opportunities for the network to grow were missed. Sure, in 1997, 16 bit gaming was already near its end. But what of the next-gen systems? The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 were just beginning to take off, and the horsepower was there in terms of both speed and graphics to get the job done.

I often wonder what the most critical factor was in the decision to completely shutter the Xband service in lieu of the next gaming generation. Was it the lack of capital to develop the service for use with next gen consoles? The complexity of developing for the Ps1, Saturn, and N64? Although console gaming was in its infancy, the potential was already there. In my opinion, the switch to mainstream newer consoles and the switch to a faster modem to reduce latency, all while working on the existing direct-dial structure, would have paid off handsomely for Catapult. What do you guys think?

On a side note, there were bits of news from Catapult at the time suggesting research into developing the service for use with the next-gen consoles, so it was certainly considered.

EDIT: the Xband wikipedia article states that it was new owner Mplayer that decided to end the service. The question still remains relevant though, as focusing on PC gaming didn't have to come to the exclusion of the consoles.

Warp2063 · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject:

The Sega NetLink is actually based on the technologies developed by Catapult. It's basically a Saturn XBAND, just re-branded. If I remember right, while looking at the files on one of the NetLink games, it even said XBAND in there.

I seem to remember that MPlayer.com thing, too.

The N64's 64DD had a modem in it to connect to RANDnet, which allowed multiplayer gaming, demo playing, etc. I'm not aware of anything for the PlayStation. My guess - the fact that it was originally going to be a joint project between Sony and Nintendo for the SNES meant that Sony didn't want to take any more chances on their first home console - they just wanted to get a gaming machine out the door.

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Xranger60 · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject:

Yeah Catapult did take care of the multiplayer components of the NetLink, and that was pretty cool to have a pseudo-Xband system inside. Actually, had Catapult decided to implement their full service network on the NetLink, we wouldn't have been able to still play now, so I'm kind of thankful for that. Just feel like the potential was missed here.

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rush6432 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 80 NetLink: Yes

They did develop software for the pc.. i have a copy of it somewhere here with SSF2 for the pc. i havn't looked into the software much but it does exist. i think they pitched the idea for other consoles but no one really bought it. Not to mention by the time mplayer bought them up they already wante to pull the plug on anything xband related at the time.

JerryTerrifying · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:26 pm Post subject:

Maybe when they started working with Sega they signed some kind of exclusivity deal to only work with the Sega Saturn? That's kind of what I assumed.

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thoudx · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject:

Here's some information on the subject from a guy named Larry who actually worked at Mpath when they purchased Catapult:

rush6432 · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 80 NetLink: Yes

Pretty much...