Atari intros 64-bit Jaguar home play system
Atari president Sam Tramiel predicted that the company will sell 40,000-50, 000 units before Christmas, and at least 500,000 in 1994.
While the unit will be available in New York and San Francisco in mid-November, a complete rollout in the United States and Europe is slated for early 1994.
Videogames for the Jaguar are expected to range from $ 39 to $ 69. In 1994, Atari plans to release a $ 200 double-speed Jaguar CD peripheral, which will play conventional audio CDs and Jaguar game CDs.
To date, 20 leading developers have signed on to create game titles for the machine, and Time Warner, which has a stake in Atari, will make its library of video clips available to Atari and its licensed publishers for use in programs for the Jaguar.
While 3DO recently introduced a 32-bit machine, the Jaguar's 64-bit technology is, naturally, twice as fast. The Jaguar technology will allow it to display true color graphics and video effects.
Commenting on the company's decision to enter the market with a 64-bit player , Tramiel said in a statement, "We've never believed in launching incrementally better designs. By skipping over the 32-bit architecture, Atari has made quantum leaps in order to give customers the best performance for the price."
