History Platform / Nuon

* 32MB Fast Page [[UsefulNotes/RandomAccessMemory Dynamic Random Access Memory]] clocked at 33[=MHz=]

* [[UsefulNotes/GraphicsProcessingUnit GPU]]: Two custom 3d Media GL [=MPEs=], 66[=MHz=]

* 8MB UsefulNotes/VideoRAM

The '''Nuon''' is an obscure video game platform developed by VM Labs. Following the collapse of [[Creator/{{Atari}} Atari Corporation]] following the disastrous run of the UsefulNotes/AtariJaguar, a group of Atari employees led by ex-VP Richard Miller left the company to form VM Labs, who would go to work on a SpiritualSuccessor to the Jaguar.

Unfortunately, the Nuon was a major flop. Only three manufacturers signed on to add Nuon technology to their DVD players, most notably Samsung. RCA also sold Nuon players, but those didn't even play games. Only eight games were released for the Nuon, comprising of either unimpressive ports, sequels, or straight-up ripoffs of previous-gen titles. The one killer app was ''[[VideoGame/{{Tempest}} Tempest 3000]]'', but it wasn't enough to convince consumers to support the platform. While the platform's one wholly original game, ''Freefall 3050 A.D.'', was well-received, it required an analog controller to play, something that wasn't bundled with Nuon players, which came with D-Pad controllers instead. This restricted the game's audience. Despite advertising itself as a "128-bit system", none of the games looked better than what could be found on the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, repeating the same mistake the Jaguar made. Likewise, only four DVD movies were released with Nuon-enhanced features, all of them being from Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios, who wasted the technology meant for action films and big budget spectacles on B-grade or obscure comedies such as ''Film/Bedazzled2000'' and ''[[Film/DrDolittle Dr. Dolittle 2]]'' (the lone exception being the poorly-received ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes2001'').

Although it faded into obscurity, that didn't mean it didn't make ''some'' impact on the gaming industry, as it inspired Sony engineer and UsefulNotes/PlayStation creator Ken Kutaragi to implement DVD support in the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, which went onto becoming one of the major factors behind the console's commercial success. Its impressive music visualizer (itself a variant of the Jaguar CD's visualizer), developed by ''Tempest 2000/3000'' designer Jeff Minter, would later be improved upon and built into the much more successful UsefulNotes/Xbox360. That being said, the Nuon remains unknown to many, and is reduced to a small footnote in gaming history.

* Max theoretical polygon count is unknown, though given Jeff Minter's account that the Nuon apparently lacked fast [=3D=] hardware (something he recounts the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube having but not the Nuon), performance was possibly somewhere between the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 and UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast, likely more within the Nintendo 64's ballpark given the graphical style of the system's [=3D=] games.

The resulting platform, named Nuon, was interesting in that it wasn't a dedicated video game console, but a chipset that was available for DVD Player manufacturers to license from VM Labs to include in their players, similar to how the 3DO Company licensed their UsefulNotes/ThreeDO technology to third parties to manufacture. Unlike the 3DO however, these were DVD Players first and video game consoles second. Speaking of DVD, in addition to being able to play their own games, Nuon-equipped DVD players were able to access optional special features on certain Nuon-enhanced [=DVDs=]. Features included smooth fast-forwarding/rewinding, zoom function, and enhanced DVD menus.

!!Nuon-Enhanced Films:

Unfortunately, the Nuon was a major flop. Only three manufacturers signed on to add Nuon technology to their DVD players, most notably Samsung. RCA also sold Nuon players, but those didn't even play games. Only eight games were released for the Nuon, comprising of either unimpressive ports, sequels, or straight-up ripoffs of previous-gen titles. The one killer app was ''[[VideoGame/{{Tempest}} Tempest 3000]]'', but it wasn't enough to convince consumers to support the platform. Despite advertising itself as a "128-bit system", none of the games looked better than what could be found on the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64, repeating the same mistake the Jaguar made. Likewise, only four DVD movies were released with Nuon-enhanced features, all of them being from Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios, who wasted the technology meant for action films and big budget spectacles on B-grade or obscure comedies such as ''Film/Bedazzled2000'' and ''[[Film/DrDolittle Dr. Dolittle 2]]'' (the lone exception being the poorly-received ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes2001'').

Shortly after the first Nuon players were released, VM Labs would run into financial trouble, and would be sold to Genesis Microchips in late 2001. While the Nuon chipset would go on to power some [=HDTVs=], no new games would be released past 2000, and no Nuon-enhanced [=DVDs=] were released past 2002. Aside from being labeled "Special Edition", signs of Nuon support were reduced to a tiny logo on the back of the case. In 2003, the few Nuon players sold were discontinued, with the platform disappearing from the market entirely.

The Nuon is an obscure video game platform developed by VM Labs. Following the collapse of [[Creator/{{Atari}} Atari Corporation]] following the disastrous run of the UsefulNotes/AtariJaguar, a group of Atari employees led by ex-VP Richard Miller left the company to form VM Labs, who would go to work on a SpiritualSuccessor to the Jaguar.