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The Linux-powered Atari VCS will accept pre-orders May 30th, shipping next year
1 May 2018 at 2:21 am UTC Likes: 2
The ASUS Tinker Board (just an example) is a single board computer that can do 4K @ 30fps and the board's footprint is as big as a credit card. This is 2018. It was 1974 [External Link] when we could fit 2000 transistors per square cm. In a computer the size of the Atari VCS we can certainly fit enough technology to do significantly better than the Tinker Board.
Anyway, we can't expect to play Crysis in 4K @ 60fps on this console, even if Crytek comes up with a GNU/Linux build. So playing old games at high resolution and frame-rate is easily achievable with AMD graphics in a box that size. What we don't know is what else can be played with the thing they're building. They say "a full range of popular modern titles" and that's laughable considering they didn't even mention one, but expect people to pre-order.
They clearly haven't settled on the final version of the hardware for this console.
From what we know so far, the only selling point and true value is "the included Atari Vault" and the retro feeling of the console. Everything else can be done with another console or a PC. So I wonder if there's anything else worth having that can't be achieved with other platforms. Because it's a tough competition out there, with interesting consoles and gaming devices that are a lot of fun.
What would set them apart from the crowd would be a partnership with GOG. As long as the Atari VCS comes with a GNU/Linux distro on an x86 CPU, adding DRM-free in the equation would make them a lot more interesting. It would be great if the Atari Vault would become available on GOG (DRM-free). At the same time, they could build a partnership to develop GOG Galaxy for Linux, or even an official GOG Downloader for Linux. It's one full year, so if they come up with that kind of partnership then people would be much easier convinced to pre-order, knowing that their investment goes into the development of something cool on multiple fronts, even outside the Atari VCS project.
Let's say the people who pre-order get access to alpha/beta builds of the VCS and GOG software developed in the process, for testing and feedback purposes. And if the pre-order people add a few more bucks/euros, they will get some goodies when the Atari VCS gets launched. GOG can easily work out some deals (even non-Atari) to cover the goodies on their part, and Atari could offer special discounts for Atari games on GOG. Win-win-win!
Share your thoughts about what could possibly motivate you to pre-order.
1 May 2018 at 2:21 am UTC Likes: 2
Quoting: elmapulthe console is small.I didn't see "just kidding" anywhere in your post. Maybe you forgot to add it. :P
there is no space for heat dissipation, and eve if it have enough space, it dont have space for many transitors.
if you can fit 1000 transitors i 1cm, you can fit 2000 in 2cm.
small device=weak, this thing will flop, everything is saying that its a scam
The ASUS Tinker Board (just an example) is a single board computer that can do 4K @ 30fps and the board's footprint is as big as a credit card. This is 2018. It was 1974 [External Link] when we could fit 2000 transistors per square cm. In a computer the size of the Atari VCS we can certainly fit enough technology to do significantly better than the Tinker Board.
Anyway, we can't expect to play Crysis in 4K @ 60fps on this console, even if Crytek comes up with a GNU/Linux build. So playing old games at high resolution and frame-rate is easily achievable with AMD graphics in a box that size. What we don't know is what else can be played with the thing they're building. They say "a full range of popular modern titles" and that's laughable considering they didn't even mention one, but expect people to pre-order.
They clearly haven't settled on the final version of the hardware for this console.
Retro-inspired, but not a “retro-box,” the Atari VCS will be a fully customizable entertainment experience. This means access to a vast array of games, media and streaming content options. As an homage to the past, Atari VCS covers the classics with the included Atari Vault of more than 100 classic games, including all-time arcade and home entertainment favorites like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Breakout®, Missile Command®, Gravitar® and Yars’ Revenge®; a growing list of games, especially a full range of popular modern titles, will be announced at later dates.It's not a scam, but it would dumb to pre-order something as vague as what they announced. I appreciate what they trying to do, I can hardly wait for it to be properly introduced, but their communication strategy is terrible. Getting people excited, failing them with a campaign, leaving them in the dark for a long time, then coming up with marketing talk and a "next spring" announcement is definitely bad.
[...]
Atari appreciates the community’s intense curiosity about VCS games and content, hardware specifications, production timelines and other key information, and is confident that it is putting the right pieces in place for a successful product and launch.
From what we know so far, the only selling point and true value is "the included Atari Vault" and the retro feeling of the console. Everything else can be done with another console or a PC. So I wonder if there's anything else worth having that can't be achieved with other platforms. Because it's a tough competition out there, with interesting consoles and gaming devices that are a lot of fun.
What would set them apart from the crowd would be a partnership with GOG. As long as the Atari VCS comes with a GNU/Linux distro on an x86 CPU, adding DRM-free in the equation would make them a lot more interesting. It would be great if the Atari Vault would become available on GOG (DRM-free). At the same time, they could build a partnership to develop GOG Galaxy for Linux, or even an official GOG Downloader for Linux. It's one full year, so if they come up with that kind of partnership then people would be much easier convinced to pre-order, knowing that their investment goes into the development of something cool on multiple fronts, even outside the Atari VCS project.
Let's say the people who pre-order get access to alpha/beta builds of the VCS and GOG software developed in the process, for testing and feedback purposes. And if the pre-order people add a few more bucks/euros, they will get some goodies when the Atari VCS gets launched. GOG can easily work out some deals (even non-Atari) to cover the goodies on their part, and Atari could offer special discounts for Atari games on GOG. Win-win-win!
Share your thoughts about what could possibly motivate you to pre-order.
The Linux-powered Atari VCS will accept pre-orders May 30th, shipping next year
30 Apr 2018 at 10:36 pm UTC Likes: 1
30 Apr 2018 at 10:36 pm UTC Likes: 1
Meh. Either they come up with decent hardware and software info, or crawl back where they came from and don't bother coming back. After the first launch hiccup, total lack of decent communication, information and demos, I couldn't care less about a pre-order with the release planned elusively one year from now.
Ha! "spring next year"?! Terrible. Too bad.
Ha! "spring next year"?! Terrible. Too bad.
The Witcher 3 didn't come to Linux likely as a result of the user-backlash from The Witcher 2
30 Apr 2018 at 10:24 pm UTC
30 Apr 2018 at 10:24 pm UTC
[users-only][/users-only]
Who knows what might motivate them, but having both 1+3 on GNU/Linux would be great. :woot:
Spoiler, click me
I don't know... after all that fun they cum up with the Bitcher 4 instead. :D
I really hope I didn't make a mess with this pun, but it was right there for the taking. Anyway: spoiler + logged in only.
I really hope I didn't make a mess with this pun, but it was right there for the taking. Anyway: spoiler + logged in only.
Who knows what might motivate them, but having both 1+3 on GNU/Linux would be great. :woot:
Classic adventure games Spellcasting 1-3 are now on GOG
30 Apr 2018 at 12:19 pm UTC
30 Apr 2018 at 12:19 pm UTC
It good seeing new (old) releases on GOG. I hope they will prepare something special for their 10th anniversary, this September. :whistle:
Wine 3.7 is now available with improved viewport support in Direct 3D.
30 Apr 2018 at 12:08 pm UTC
30 Apr 2018 at 12:08 pm UTC
Bug-fix releases are awesome in my book, even if they are boring. We need a balance between developing new stuff and maintaining the existing code, because dragging along old bugs for years can become annoying. So it feels great when we get rid of bugs here and there. :D
Cheers, Wine developers and contributors! ^_^
Cheers, Wine developers and contributors! ^_^
The Witcher 3 didn't come to Linux likely as a result of the user-backlash from The Witcher 2
30 Apr 2018 at 11:50 am UTC Likes: 1
On the other hand, the loud "truckers" don't represent everyone, so there's no valid reason for a game developer/publisher to make the entire community suffer. It's definitely not fair towards the whole lot of good people who are civilized and grateful for whatever lands in the GNU/Linux world. That's why deciding to withdraw from making a Linux build based on negative feedback is not professional, because it's a shortsighted decision.
With early access and closed alphas/betas being common, and especially with so many GNU/Linux geeks happy to test such releases and share constructive feedback, you'd say the developers would tap into that kind of a resource. But in this case CDPR found it easier to highlight the "truckers", grab their toys and move away.
Just because we call them out for being unprofessional about it doesn't mean we're disrespectful, nor wrong. It's just how it is. Many of us can easily understand if they come out to say they don't have the resources necessary to produce a GNU/Linux build for a game, because it takes experienced developers (with GNU/Linux) to make it happen. So why not be truthful about the real problem? Not enough resources? Fine, then they should be fair about it, not punish everyone else if that's their only problem and they actually have the talented developers, time and money required to produce a GNU/Linux build.
If we would all pull out based on negative feedback, the world would "stop" in a matter of days. On top of that, isn't ignoring all the good people disrespectful coming from a developer/publisher?
30 Apr 2018 at 11:50 am UTC Likes: 1
Quoting: KallionAnd if anyone seeks a refund for a game, it can be done respectfully. There is always a way. It's the will that suffers.One can't refund a Steam game after a number of hours played, so it's not always possible, regardless of how civilized we are.
On the other hand, the loud "truckers" don't represent everyone, so there's no valid reason for a game developer/publisher to make the entire community suffer. It's definitely not fair towards the whole lot of good people who are civilized and grateful for whatever lands in the GNU/Linux world. That's why deciding to withdraw from making a Linux build based on negative feedback is not professional, because it's a shortsighted decision.
With early access and closed alphas/betas being common, and especially with so many GNU/Linux geeks happy to test such releases and share constructive feedback, you'd say the developers would tap into that kind of a resource. But in this case CDPR found it easier to highlight the "truckers", grab their toys and move away.
Just because we call them out for being unprofessional about it doesn't mean we're disrespectful, nor wrong. It's just how it is. Many of us can easily understand if they come out to say they don't have the resources necessary to produce a GNU/Linux build for a game, because it takes experienced developers (with GNU/Linux) to make it happen. So why not be truthful about the real problem? Not enough resources? Fine, then they should be fair about it, not punish everyone else if that's their only problem and they actually have the talented developers, time and money required to produce a GNU/Linux build.
If we would all pull out based on negative feedback, the world would "stop" in a matter of days. On top of that, isn't ignoring all the good people disrespectful coming from a developer/publisher?
The Linux-powered games console the Ataribox has become the Atari VCS
22 Mar 2018 at 9:07 pm UTC
22 Mar 2018 at 9:07 pm UTC
Amazing. 3 days later and they still didn't fix their broken reCAPTCHA implementation. I wonder why they keep the Ataribox website online if no one handles it. :huh:
The Linux-powered games console the Ataribox has become the Atari VCS
20 Mar 2018 at 9:02 pm UTC
So if the brand new Atari VCS can do more things than a gaming console, I will consider it. That means it would have to be a decent PC under the hood, with a regular GNU/Linux distro. From what we know so far, that seems to be the case already. But we'll have to wait and see.
20 Mar 2018 at 9:02 pm UTC
Quoting: tuubiIf you'd mixed up Amiga and Atari back in the 16bit A500/ST days, you'd have had both camps coming after you with torches and pitchforks. ;)I never owned a gaming console because I never found them interesting and useful enough. For that matter, I never even bought a handheld Tetris or some other game, because they are too "specialized" for my taste. :P
So if the brand new Atari VCS can do more things than a gaming console, I will consider it. That means it would have to be a decent PC under the hood, with a regular GNU/Linux distro. From what we know so far, that seems to be the case already. But we'll have to wait and see.
In '39 Days to Mars' you and a friend will go to Mars in the 19th century's most unreliable spaceship
20 Mar 2018 at 2:21 am UTC
20 Mar 2018 at 2:21 am UTC
Ha! I hope this will come as bug-free as possible, because it looks like a fun game to play with. :D
The Linux-powered games console the Ataribox has become the Atari VCS
20 Mar 2018 at 2:09 am UTC Likes: 1
But what worries me is the fact that their press and contact pages have a broken reCAPTCHA implementation, and it's been hours since they announced the news. So their contact form is completely useless. Clearly the marketing and web development departments are out of touch, which it not encouraging. They claim they postponed the launch date because they ["weren’t willing to go forward with even one thing out of alignment"](https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/19/atari-unveils-atari-vcs-its-first-home-game-console-in-9-years/ [External Link]). But their contact form is completely "misaligned".
With the way things went so far, this project looks more like the personal project of 1-2 (ex) Atari employees, who worked on this in their off hours. Because it didn't show the proper pacing, nor the proper coordination for anything resembling a decent team behind the project. Oh well, we'll see what April brings. :P
20 Mar 2018 at 2:09 am UTC Likes: 1
Quoting: liamdawethe key fact here is that they haven't shown it actually working in any form at all. That's what worries me the most after all this time.Secrecy doesn't worry me. And there's the fact that they didn't put up a (marketing) fight to attract people like me, who never touched an Amiga system before. For me, it looks like a nice Linux-based PC/gaming console, which is not particularly attractive considering the big number of emulators available for Linux. So right now I just stare at some pretty pictures and I hope it will all turn out OK, because it's always good to have choices when it comes to entertainment.
But what worries me is the fact that their press and contact pages have a broken reCAPTCHA implementation, and it's been hours since they announced the news. So their contact form is completely useless. Clearly the marketing and web development departments are out of touch, which it not encouraging. They claim they postponed the launch date because they ["weren’t willing to go forward with even one thing out of alignment"](https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/19/atari-unveils-atari-vcs-its-first-home-game-console-in-9-years/ [External Link]). But their contact form is completely "misaligned".
With the way things went so far, this project looks more like the personal project of 1-2 (ex) Atari employees, who worked on this in their off hours. Because it didn't show the proper pacing, nor the proper coordination for anything resembling a decent team behind the project. Oh well, we'll see what April brings. :P