Dreamcast Software Development Standards

Dreamcast Software Development Standards/Ver.1.00E


3. Sequences Before Game Start

The Dreamcast Boot ROM includes an "Auto Loading" setting, which when switched ON (the default), bypasses the Boot ROM menu (multi-player screen in Saturn) to perform a Disc Check (to check whether a disc is a special Dreamcast disc).

The "Auto Loading" setting is also applied even when Auto Loading is switched OFF as long as the disk door is closed at power-on.

The following diagram shows a standard sequence from a a Sega brand example.

3.1 Title Display and Demo

Note: A demo usually runs after the Title Screen, but when it uses a movie such as an original animation that appears before the title, running the demo before the Title Screen may be acceptable.

Note: When a soft reset is used to bring up the Boot ROM menu (multi-player screen in Saturn), Autoloading does not execute even when it is enabled (ON), so it must wait for menu screen operations.

Note: When Autoloading is ON, there is no way to force a jump (by any button combination) to the Boot ROM menu after a disc is inserted and the CD door closed, without executing game start.

3.2 Audio Output Settings Upon Loading an Application

Recommended: Immediately upon loading an application (before the Title Loop starts), the stereo/monaural output setting should be changed to match the Boot ROM settings of the Main Unit.

Even when there are no 4. Options, an application internally determines the stereo/monaural state, so the application should be set to correspond to the Main Unit's Boot ROM setting.

3.3 Application Loading (1stread file)

There is no specified maximum loading time, but application loading should be as quick as possible.

Example:

  • Files used in the Title Screen should not be unreasonably dispersed
    (because of disc access efficiency).

  • Otherwise, the smaller the file size, the better
    (to shorten load time).



  • Dreamcast Software Development Standards


    Copyright SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD, 1998