(Click here for a larger view of Sega's RingEdge and RingWide platforms)
The new RingEdge and RingWide platforms are not meant for home use, but rather for in "arcade" style gaming devices found in public gathering places. Using Intel Pentium and Celeron processors, the devices mark only the second time Sega has turned to PC architecture as a basis for its arcade consoles. In the first instance, the company's "Lindbergh" platform used a 3.0GHz Pentium processor, Nvidia Geforce 6800 GPU (graphics processing unit), and reportedly ran Linux.

Compared to Lindbergh, RingEdge and RingWide will cost arcade operators at least 30 percent less, Sega says. In addition, the company adds, use of WES 2009 will simplify application development and guarantee a "long-term environment for software development."

While RingEdge and RingWide mark an interesting design win for Microsoft -- whose Windows CE once powered Sega's Dreamcast home gaming console -- their cost-reduced hardware doesn't appear to break any new ground. For example, the RingEdge uses Intel's Pentium E2160, a budget dual-core CPU that is clocked at 1.8GHz, along with an undisclosed Nvidia GPU. The RingEdge has 1GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 32GB SSD (solid state drive), according to Sega.

The RingWide, meanwhile, uses a Celeron 440 clocked at 2GHz, with an unnamed ATI GPU. Again fitted with 1GB of RAM, the RingWide loads its software from an 8GB CompactFlash card, according to Sega.

Both the RingEdge and RingWide provide 5:1 audio output, via three 3.5mm jacks, and can drive dual displays with resolutions up to 1900 x 1200 pixels. Fitted with gigabit Ethernet ports, JAMMA (Japan Amusement Machinery Manufacturers Association) I/O connectors, and USB ports, the devices support Sega's "All.net" standard for networked gaming, the company says.

According to Sega, the RingEdge and RingWide have entered into production now, and will be available to console builders for at least five years. The first game offered for the RingEdge platform will be Border Break (see video at the end of this story), which supports up to 20 human players in 10-on-10 robot battles, the company says.

Features and specifications listed by Sega for the RingEdge include:

• Processor -- 1.8GHz Pentium E2160
  
• Graphics -- Unnamed Nvidia GPU, with 384MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory
  
• Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM
  
• Storage -- 32GB SSD
  
• Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet
  
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x DVI-I
    
  • 5.1 audio output via 3 3.5mm jacks
    
  • JAMMA I/O connector
    
  • 3 x USB
    
  • 12V/5V/3.3VDC power output for peripherals
• Dimensions -- 15.3 x 12.6 x 5.1 inches (390 x 320 x 130mm)
  
• Weight -- 15.65 pounds (7.1kg)

Features and specifications listed by Sega for the RingWide include:

• Processor -- 2.0GHz Celeron 440
  
• Graphics -- Unnamed ATI GPU, with 128MB of GDDR3 memory, extensible via system RAM
  
• Memory -- 1GB of DDR2 RAM
  
• Storage -- 8GB CompactFlash
  
• Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet
  
• Other I/O:
  • VGA output
    
  • 2 x DVI-I
    
  • 5.1 audio output via 3 3.5mm jacks
    
  • JAMMA I/O connector
    
  • 2 x USB
    
  • 12V/5V/3.3VDC power output for peripherals
• Dimensions -- 13.77 x 11.25 x 3.93 inches (350 x 286 x 100)
  
• Weight -- 9 pounds (4.1kg)

Border Break will be the first new game for the RingEdge console
Source: Sega
(click to play)

Availability

Sega says its RingEdge and RingWide, along with the Border Break game mentioned above, will appear in arcades during the second half of this year.

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