RDI Halcyon
The RDI Halcyon is a video game console developed by RDI Vido Systems and released in January 1985. It is arguably the first home laser disc video game system to push the limits of technology at the time … nothing short of …
In January 1985, Rick Dyer, one of the creators of the hit game Dragon’s Lair, toured American televisions to introduce RDI Halcyon, which would revolutionize the video entertainment industry. History decided otherwise.
The Halcyon was named after the computer “Hal 9000” from the movie “2001, The Space Odyssey”. It consists of two different components: a high-end laser disc player with a corresponding computer module.
It has a keyboard and comes with 2 games (Thayer Quest and NFL Football). With a voice headset, the player can use voice commands instead of the keyboard. The Halcyon is powered by a Z80 and has 64 GB of RAM and ROM in combination with a Votrax speech synthesis system.
The system with speech recognition, speech synthesis and a small amount of non-volatile memory can recognize 1000 words. Thus, the Halcyon can interact with the user on a personal level. When a person started the system, they would greet them by name and regularly ask them some questions in order to contact them.
There were originally 6 games scheduled for the Halcyon’s launch, but only two of the original six games were completed:
Thayers Quest and NFL Football.
Orpheus, Shadow of the Stars, Journey to the New World and the spirit of the Whittier Villa do not rest inachevs.
Below are pictures from Thayer’s Quest. Search for pictures, audio and video files by clicking HERE.
This remarkable machine sold for $ 2,500. A price that consumers simply weren’t willing to pay. Little is known about the actual production of the system and one unconfirmed rumor speaks of 10 units.
For the console collector, the Halcyon is a rarity that will be difficult to find. For those lucky enough to find one, it will be the expensive masterpiece (see below) of any collection.
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