In 1991, Phillips, the parent company of Magnavox (manufacturers of the Odyssey system), released the CD-i, (Compact Disc-interactive) console. The 16-bit CD-ROM based system was not promoted as a gaming platform. In advertising, Phillips highlighted the multimedia applications that the CD-i would be able to perform. The initial retail price for the system was $400, software ranged from $49.99 to $59.99.
The Digital Video cartridge could play movies or music videos with the MPEG-1 compression technology that Video CDs utilized. Several CD-i game titles like Mad Dog McCree featured full motion video when played with the Digital Video Cartridge.
Phillips did develop games for the system as well but did not solely focus advertising on them. This became critical decision in the ultimate failure of the Phillips CD-i as a console. Potential buyers who were looking strictly for a gaming system chose other platforms.
By Dave Beuscher
AllGame.com
