Digital Compression System
Encyclopedia
Digital Compression System, or DCS, is a sound system developed by Williams Electronics
. This advanced sound board, used for Williams and Bally pinball
games and coin-op arcade video games by Midway Manufacturing
, became the standard sound system for these names.
The DCS Sound system was created by Williams sound engineers Matt Booty and Ed Keenan.
Williams (gaming company)
WMS Industries, Inc. is an American electronic gaming and amusement company based in Waukegan, Illinois. The company's main operating subsidiaries are WMS Gaming and Orion Gaming. WMS traces its roots as far back as 1943, the Williams Manufacturing Company, founded by Harry E. Williams...
. This advanced sound board, used for Williams and Bally pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
games and coin-op arcade video games by Midway Manufacturing
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
, became the standard sound system for these names.
The DCS Sound system was created by Williams sound engineers Matt Booty and Ed Keenan.
Versions of DCS
- DCS ROM-based mono: The first version of DCS used an Analog DevicesAnalog DevicesAnalog Devices, Inc. , known as ADI, is an American multinational semiconductor company specializing in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts...
ADSP2105 DSP (clocked at 10 MHz) and a DMA-driven DAC, outputting in mono. This was used for the majority of Williams and Midway's pinball games (starting with 1993's Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure), as well as Midway's video games, up until the late 1990s.- DCS-95: This was a revised version of the original DCS System, used for Williams and Midway's WPC-95 pinball system.
- The pinball game, The Twilight Zone, was originally supposed to use the DCS System, but because the DCS board was still in development at the time, all of the music and sounds for this game were reprogrammed for the Yamaha YM2151Yamaha YM2151The YM2151, aka OPM is an eight-channel four-operator sound chip. It was Yamaha's first single-chip FM synthesis implementation, created originally for the Yamaha DX series of keyboards....
/ HarrisIntersilIntersil Corporation is an American company that specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of high-performance analog semiconductors for four high-growth markets — Communications, Computing, High End Consumer and Industrial.-Company history:...
CVSDContinuously variable slope delta modulationContinuously variable slope delta modulation is a voice coding method. It is a delta modulation with variable step size Continuously variable slope delta modulation (CVSD or CVSDM) is a voice coding method. It is a delta modulation with variable step size Continuously variable slope delta...
sound board.
- DCS2 ROM-based stereo: This version used the ADSP2104 DSP and two DMA-driven DACs, outputting in stereo. This was used in Midway's Zeus-based hardware, and in the short-lived Pinball 2000Pinball 2000Pinball 2000 is the last pinball hardware and software platform developed by major pinball manufacturer Williams, and was used in the machines Revenge From Mars and Star Wars Episode I before Williams exited the pinball business on October 25, 1999...
platform. - DCS2 RAM-based stereo: This version used the ADSP2115 DSP and two DMA-driven DACs, outputting in stereo. This was used in Midway's 3DFX-based hardware (NFL BlitzNFL BlitzNFL Blitz is a series of American football themed video games by Midway featuring the teams of the National Football League. It began as a 1997 arcade game but was eventually ported to home consoles and spawned several sequels...
, etc.). This system would be adopted by Atari GamesAtari GamesAtari Games Corporation was an American producer of arcade games, and originally part of Atari, Inc..-History:When, in 1984, Warner Communications sold the Atari Consumer division of Atari Inc...
, following their acquisition by WMS Industries. - DCS2 RAM-based multi-channel: This version used the ADSP2181 DSP and up to six DMA-driven DACs, outputting in multichannel sound.
Pinball games using DCS
- Attack From MarsAttack From MarsAttack from Mars is a 1995 pinball game designed by Brian Eddy, and released by Midway .In this game, Martians began to invade the Earth, and it's up to the player to destroy the Martian fleet, save all the major cities, and then head off to Mars to destroy the Martian empire and conquer Mars.Among...
(1995) (DCS95) - Cactus CanyonCactus CanyonCactus Canyon is a pinball machine produced by Midway . It is the WPC machine with the shortest production run , thus making it a rare machine amongst collectors and the most expensive one of the whole WPC generation Cactus Canyon is a pinball machine produced by Midway (under the Bally brand...
(1998) (DCS95) - Champion Pub (1998) (DCS95)
- Cirqus VoltaireCirqus VoltaireCirqus Voltaire is a 1997 pinball game, designed by John Popadiuk and released by Midway Games . The theme involves the player performing many different marvels in order to join the circus...
(1997) (DCS95) - CorvetteCorvette (pinball)Corvette is a pinball machine produced by Midway . It is based on the sports car line of the same name.-External links:**...
(1994) - Demolition ManDemolition Man (pinball)Demolition Man is a Williams pinball machine released in February 1994. It is based on the motion picture of the same name. It is part of WMS' SuperPin line of widebody games....
(1994) - Dirty HarryDirty Harry (pinball)Dirty Harry is a Williams pinball machine released in March 1995. It is based on the fictional character of the same name.-External links:*...
(1995) - The FlintstonesThe Flintstones (pinball)There are two pinball games based on The Flintstones, one from the TV series made by Innovative Concepts in Entertainment , and a Williams machine based on the movie.-Williams machine:...
(1994) - Indiana Jones: The Pinball AdventureIndiana Jones: The Pinball AdventureIndiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure is a 1993 widebody pinball game designed by Mark Ritchie and released by Williams. It was based on the Indiana Jones movies...
(1993) - Indianapolis 500Indianapolis 500 (pinball)Indianapolis 500 is a pinball machine produced by Midway released in June 1995. It is based on the sporting event of the same name.-External links:*...
(1995) - Jack*Bot (1995)
- Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
- Judge Dredd (1993)
- Medieval Madness (1997) (DCS95)
- Monster BashMonster Bash (pinball)Monster Bash is a pinball machine produced by Williams. The game include The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Mummy. The goal of Monster Bash is to collect the instruments of the monsters and present the world this scary...
(1998) (DCS95) - NBA FastbreakNBA Fastbreak (pinball)NBA Fastbreak is a 1997 pinball machine released by Midway . It is also the only pinball machine in existence that featured the possibility to directly link two machines together and having two players play against each other in realtime NBA Fastbreak is a 1997 pinball machine released by Midway...
(1997) (DCS95) - No Fear: Dangerous SportsNo Fear: Dangerous SportsNo Fear: Dangerous Sports is a 1995 pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie and released by Williams. It is based on the clothing line. This game has an extreme sports theme.-Launch options:...
(1995) - Popeye Saves the EarthPopeye Saves the EarthPopeye Saves The Earth is a 1994 widebody pinball game designed by Python Anghelo and Barry Oursler and released by Midway . It is based on the Popeye comic/cartoon characters licensed from King Features Syndicate....
(1994) - Revenge From MarsRevenge From MarsRevenge from Mars is a 2000 pinball machine manufactured by Midway . It is the sequel to Attack from Mars, that also has the same theme....
(1999) (DCS2 ROM-based) - SafecrackerSafecracker (pinball)Safecracker is a pinball machine with a safecracking theme, designed by Pat Lawlor, and distributed by Midway . It was created in 1996. About 1148 were manufactured. Safecracker differs from a standard pinball game in that the player is playing against the clock as opposed to having a certain...
(1996) (DCS95) - Scared StiffScared Stiff (pinball)Scared Stiff is a 1996 pinball game designed by Dennis Nordman and released by Midway , featuring horrorshow-hostess Elvira. It is the follow-up to 1989's Elvira and the Party Monsters, also designed by Nordman.-External links:*...
(1996) (DCS95) - The ShadowThe Shadow (pinball)The Shadow is a 1994 pinball game designed by Brian Eddy and released by Midway . It is based on the 1994 movie of the same name....
(1994) - Star Wars Episode IStar Wars Episode I (pinball)Star Wars Episode I is a 1999 pinball game released by Williams and the second machine to use the Pinball 2000 hardware platform. It is based in the Star Wars film The Phantom Menace....
(1999) (DCS2 ROM-based) - Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation (pinball)Star Trek: The Next Generation is a widebody pinball game, designed by Steve Ritchie and released in November 1993 by Williams Electronics. It was part of WMS' SuperPin series , and was based on the TV series. It is the only pinball machine that features three separate highscore-lists...
(1993) - Tales of the Arabian Nights (1996) (DCS95)
- Theatre of MagicTheatre of MagicTheatre of Magic is a pinball machine produced by Midway .-Gameplay:Main mission is to get to the "Grand Finale" by finishing:...
(1995) - World Cup SoccerWorld Cup Soccer (pinball)World Cup Soccer is a 1994 pinball machine released by Midway. It is based on the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Trivia:*Raiden, a character from the Mortal Kombat fighting series, makes a cameo in a bonus round.-External links:*****...
(1994) - Who Dunnit? (1995)
Arcade games using DCS
- Mortal Kombat IIMortal Kombat IIMortal Kombat II is a competitive fighting game originally produced by Midway Games for the arcades in . It is the second game in the Mortal Kombat series. Like its predecessor, various home versions were produced...
(1993) - Cruis'n USACruis'n USACruis'n USA is an arcade racing game originally released in 1994. It was developed by Midway Games and published and distributed by Nintendo...
(1994) - Killer InstinctKiller InstinctKiller Instinct is a fighting game developed by Rare and published by Midway and Nintendo. Initially released in arcades in 1994, and rumored to use an "Ultra 64" hardware engine, in reality the proprietary arcade hardware was co-developed by Rare and Midway. The game received a high profile launch...
(1994) - Revolution XRevolution XRevolution X is a arcade rail shooter game developed and published by Midway, featuring the rock band Aerosmith. The game features gameplay similar to Midway's earlier Terminator 2: Judgment Day...
(1994) - 2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge is an ice hockey arcade game released by Midway in 1995. It was ported to PlayStation in 1996. The game would be similar to its arcade counterpart with exception to the fact that the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix after the conclusion of the 1995-96 season, thus the...
(1995) - Killer Instinct 2Killer Instinct 2Killer Instinct 2 is a 1996 arcade-only fighting game developed by Rare, licensed by Nintendo, and manufactured by Midway.KI2 is the sequel to Killer Instinct , an arcade game which was also ported to the SNES...
(1995) - Mortal Kombat 3Mortal Kombat 3Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game developed by Midway and released in 1995, first as an arcade game. It is the third game in the Mortal Kombat series...
(1995) - Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game in the Mortal Kombat series, released in arcades in 1995. It is an update of Mortal Kombat 3 and was later updated again into Mortal Kombat Trilogy...
(1995) - War Gods (1995) (DCS2 RAM-based)
- WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade GameWWF WrestleMania: The Arcade GameWWF WrestleMania is a professional wrestling arcade game released by Midway Manufacturing Co. in 1995...
(1995) - Cruis'n WorldCruis'n WorldCruis'n World is the 1996 sequel to the 1994 arcade racer Cruis'n USA. As the title implies, Cruis'n World allows players to race on various tracks around the world. The game also features more cars than Cruis'n USA. This game introduced stunts to the Cruis'n series. They served to dodge obstacles,...
(1996) - Mace: The Dark AgeMace: The Dark AgeMace: The Dark Age is a fighting video game released by Atari for arcade machines in 1996 and later ported by Midway to the Nintendo 64 in 1997. A PlayStation version of the game was planned but never released.-Story:...
(1998) (DCS2 RAM-based) - NBA HangtimeNBA HangtimeNBA Hangtime is a basketball video game developed by Midway and released in arcades in 1996. Home versions followed for Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, and Windows. A version for Game.com was cancelled....
(1996) - NBA Maximum Hangtime (1996)
- Wayne Gretzky's 3D HockeyWayne Gretzky's 3D HockeyWayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey is a video game developed by Atari Games and released for the arcade in 1996.-Summary:This video game was later ported to the Nintendo 64 console on October 31, 1996, where it was the first-ever 4-player game for the Nintendo 64...
(1996) (DCS2 RAM-based) - InvasionInvasionAn invasion is a military offensive consisting of all, or large parts of the armed forces of one geopolitical entity aggressively entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering, liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a...
(1997) (DCS2 ROM-based) - Mortal Kombat 4Mortal Kombat 4Mortal Kombat 4 is the fourth main game in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting video games developed by Midway Games. Released to arcades in 1997, Mortal Kombat 4 is the first title from the series to use 3D computer graphics as well as one of the first games that Midway made in 3D. Eurocom later...
(1997) (DCS2 ROM-based) - NFL BlitzNFL BlitzNFL Blitz is a series of American football themed video games by Midway featuring the teams of the National Football League. It began as a 1997 arcade game but was eventually ported to home consoles and spawned several sequels...
(1997) (DCS2 RAM-based) - Offroad Challenge (1997)
- Rampage World TourRampage World TourRampage World Tour is a video game released in 1997 and is the second game in the Rampage series.Up to three simultaneous players control the monsters George , Lizzie , or Ralph , created from humans who were mutated by experiments conducted at Scumlabs...
(1997) - California Speed (1998) (DCS2 RAM-based)
- CarnEvilCarnEvilCarnEvil is a rail shooter arcade game using a light gun. Released by Midway Games on October 31 , 1998, the game focuses on the protagonist fighting their way through a supernatural carnival that features horror-themed twists on many familiar amusement park elements.- Plot :CarnEvil is set in the...
(1998) (DCS2 RAM-based) - Gauntlet LegendsGauntlet LegendsGauntlet Legends is an arcade game released in 1998 by Atari Games. It is a fantasy themed hack and slash game, a sequel to 1985's popular Gauntlet and 1986's Gauntlet II and marks the final game in the series to be produced by Atari Games...
(1998) (DCS2 RAM-based) - HyperdriveHyperdriveHyperdrive is a name given to certain methods of traveling faster-than-light in science fiction. Related concepts are jump drive and warp drive....
(1998) (DCS2 RAM-based) - NBA ShowtimeNBA ShowtimeNBA Showtime is the pregame show aired before each NBA on NBC telecast. The program, a half-hour in length, began during the 1990–91 NBA season, and was initially hosted by Bob Costas. Costas left in the mid-1990s, and became lead play-by-play voice of The NBA on NBC in 1997...
(1998) (DCS2 RAM-based) - NFL Blitz '99NFL Blitz '99NFL Blitz '99 was an arcade style sports video game. Released in 1998, it was the second game in the NFL Blitz series. The game was released for arcade play....
(1998) (DCS2 RAM-based) - Cruis'n Exotica (1999) (DCS2 ROM-based)
- San Francisco Rush 2049San Francisco Rush 2049San Francisco Rush 2049 is a racing video game developed by Atari Games and published by Midway Games for the Arcade, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and Dreamcast. It was released on September 7, 2000 in North America, and November 17, 2000 in Europe....
(1999) (DCS2 RAM-based multichannel) - Vapor TRX (1998) (DCS2 RAM-based)
- Gauntlet Dark Legacy (1999) (DCS2 RAM-based)
- NFL Blitz 2000 (1999) (DCS2 RAM-based)
- Road Burners (1999) (DCS2 RAM-based multichannel)
- War The Final Assault (1999) (DCS2 RAM-based)
- CART FuryCART FuryCART Fury is a 2000 arcade-style racing video game based on the Champ Car World Series .-Summary:...
(2000) (DCS2 RAM-based) - The Grid (arcade game)The Grid (arcade game)The Grid is a 2001 arcade game by Midway. It is a third person shooter in the form of a super-violent television game show hosted by a Smash TV-like host. It was created by the developers behind the Mortal Kombat series of games. It also has cameos from the Mortal Kombat characters Sub-Zero,...
(2001) (DCS2 ROM-based)