LyleLanley
Banned
I have some bad news for you, no reputable publisher will license any valuable IP for this.
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New cartridge based non-emulated "Retro" console being kickstarted!
- Thread starter ultrazilla
- Start date
I have some bad news for you, no reputable publisher will license any valuable IP for this.
BibiMaghoo
Member
I would buy this to have some modern games on a cartridge. That would be awesome. Don't Starve would be a must if it's possible.
Hope no one was actually expecting custom retro hardware:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWTKs77jH8U
Robert at Zeboyd Games
Banned
The only way I could see something like this having the slightest chance of success would be if all of the following were true:
1) The system is dirt cheap. If it's $99, that's already too expensive.
2) The company behind it is going to support it extensively with high quality exclusive software of their own creation. If not a new Nintendo or Sega, they at least need to be a new Hudson or SNK.
3) The controller is quality. Comfortable with no lag.
4) They're willing to pay for quality 3rd party exclusives.
Honestly, I don't see any company that isn't already huge having a chance at this.
1) The system is dirt cheap. If it's $99, that's already too expensive.
2) The company behind it is going to support it extensively with high quality exclusive software of their own creation. If not a new Nintendo or Sega, they at least need to be a new Hudson or SNK.
3) The controller is quality. Comfortable with no lag.
4) They're willing to pay for quality 3rd party exclusives.
Honestly, I don't see any company that isn't already huge having a chance at this.
MrCunningham
Member
Yeah, another Arm powered device kind of kills my interest in this one. This would still be quite a bit different from Ouya, as it would use actual cartridges and not be another digital download box. I would imagine that it wouldn't use Android either. I guess it could be GBA / Nintendo DS like.
NoFaceNico
Member
I'm calling it right now- their Kickstarter is going to talk about how their console will be "disruptive" to the industry status quo and redefine how we play games. When I watch their pitch video I'm going to take a shot every time they use the term "revolutionary."
I'll probably throw a dollar at them so I can make snarky remarks in their comments section later.
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
My first thought.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
I can't see why this is even actually being thought of being made.
So pointless.
So pointless.
Same here! If games like Shovel Knight and Canabalt get released in cartridge form ill have to bite, even if the thing is clearly on it's way to ouya status. It's too cool not to have imo! I'd be extra happy if the devs released some sort of way to make a cart like the Everdrive and make steam-equivalent store to buy games for cheaper than cartridge-price. then your computer drops those games into your cartridge and you're golden.
putting online purchases onto a cart seems like a cool way to make the game-specific carts limited run items without ruining everything
MagnoSauce
Member
Even if the licenses for 16-bit sequels to major IPs were within the affordability of a KS, 16-bit development at the quality of SNES and Genesis games is not. High quality sprite work is not cheap or easy. Neither are other aspects. I can only see ugly as sin indie games getting made for this, and the demand for those in cartridge format can't be that high.
While I'm all for the idea in principle, I don't see how it will work in practice.
While I'm all for the idea in principle, I don't see how it will work in practice.
This. And why would I want to go back to being limited to 16 bit games only with my console? Not to mention cost of the cartridge making the games more expensive on top of that.
And if the game has a bug, well, good luck updating it. Sure, that means they have to try harder but that doesn't mean it won't happen. This also makes it more expensive/pain for developers so I see this not working out for developers either. I thought one reason PSX won over Nintendo was because developers liked CDs better than cartridges (not as expensive for one).
And I think this is the most realistic expectation even if you do want something like this. Get it cause you find it is cool but don't expect it's going to take off at all.
No GPU and sound chip info, no hype from me.
If this was a cheap throwback to the early days with sprite engines, VBlank interrupt shenanigans, bank switching, palettes out the wazoo and stupidly specific helper chips like highly programmable but at the same time severely gimped sound hardware I might be interested, if only to fuck around with it like some gargantuan interconnected nerd puzzle.
If it's just a generic ARM SoC with a 3D GPU being forced to pull 2D duty and a normal generic "just do most of the stuff in software" approach to functionality, then I can't even put into words just how not interested I'd be.
(And if it was a throwback, which dev in their right mind would spend time and money on programming for that dead end of a system. It makes no sense.)
So I'm suspecting it will be a normal ARM SoC with some very minor tweaks. Which is something I'm not exactly thrilled about. Forcing it down the "no net, physical release and mostly pixel" route will not exactly make me any more hyped.
If this was a cheap throwback to the early days with sprite engines, VBlank interrupt shenanigans, bank switching, palettes out the wazoo and stupidly specific helper chips like highly programmable but at the same time severely gimped sound hardware I might be interested, if only to fuck around with it like some gargantuan interconnected nerd puzzle.
If it's just a generic ARM SoC with a 3D GPU being forced to pull 2D duty and a normal generic "just do most of the stuff in software" approach to functionality, then I can't even put into words just how not interested I'd be.
(And if it was a throwback, which dev in their right mind would spend time and money on programming for that dead end of a system. It makes no sense.)
So I'm suspecting it will be a normal ARM SoC with some very minor tweaks. Which is something I'm not exactly thrilled about. Forcing it down the "no net, physical release and mostly pixel" route will not exactly make me any more hyped.
yeah, that sounds like a good way to lose a little money
Nintendo should really go in the opposite direction. Release a $60 machine, brand it the Virtual Console, and sell classic games that way.
Oh shit I missed the second part. I bet they'll say it's "hackable" too.
And how exactly is it going to have "infinite developer expandability" if the games must come on flash cartridges?
shaftymcnasty
Neo Member
I like cartridges and if they can make it with RGB and wide-screen, I wish them luck. My wife and I might even throw them a few bucks.
I like the idea of physical indie releases on a budget console.
I somewhat like cartridges cause nostalgia.
Eh on 16bit. Needs more 32bit.
If they do end up using actual 16bit they need HD support imo. That way we can get some people to develop true HD 16bit games. That'd be sweet.
I somewhat like cartridges cause nostalgia.
Eh on 16bit. Needs more 32bit.
If they do end up using actual 16bit they need HD support imo. That way we can get some people to develop true HD 16bit games. That'd be sweet.
KatamariOnTheRocks
Member
I love the idea of picking up the rights to make new games for series that haven't seen a sequel in many years but I would also prefer that the content isn't limited to an exclusive console. I hate having to get several platforms for games that interest me and of course I don't "have to" buy anything, but I mean from an accessibility stand point exclusives are pretty frustrating. I also like the idea of a modern cartridge based console, I think the best of both worlds would be to put games on this console for an exclusive time period and after that time bring the game to other platforms. I never got an Ouya because 2 or 3 games wasn't enough to justify that particular purchase to me, but I'm so happy that Towerfall, Duck Game and Amazing Frog have all come to PC.
I just... fuck
I mean, you can get a credit card-sized Raspberry Pi 700mhz machine for $35, and the Tegra 3 1.4ghz quad-core OUYA was $99. What the hell are they going to do with ARM to make it "retro"? Are they going to downclock the shit out of it just for the sake of limitations? Are they just going to use the Nintendo DS ARM chip setup? Oh boy!
Good god the more I think about this the more brain-meltingly stupid it becomes.
I mean, you can get a credit card-sized Raspberry Pi 700mhz machine for $35, and the Tegra 3 1.4ghz quad-core OUYA was $99. What the hell are they going to do with ARM to make it "retro"? Are they going to downclock the shit out of it just for the sake of limitations? Are they just going to use the Nintendo DS ARM chip setup? Oh boy!
Good god the more I think about this the more brain-meltingly stupid it becomes.
MrCunningham
Member
If they end up using an ARM CPU like they claim, then it will be a 32bit system at the least. Even the Atari Jaguar was mostly a 32bit system, as the audio and GPU chips are CPU were both 32bit, though it also has a 16bit Motorola 68000 in it as well.
I think something more along the lines of an early 32bit system would be better (32x, Jaguar) choice.
Yeah just being another ARM device takes the way the appeal of it as a hobbyist game console. Why get this, when you could buy a Raspberry Pi 2 and put it in your own custom case?
Though I suppose having a cartridge slot would be one of the few draws.
baphomet
Member
This will be far more powerful than any retro system. It will basically be running emulators of different systems, and probably android ports of newer games would be my guess. There will not actually be any retro hardware outside the jaguar case molds.
Yeah, it's actively bothering me lol
SerTapTap
Member
This is crazy stupid frankly. I get what they're getting at, but seriously no. He have platforms getting easier than ever to develop for and distribute to, and this is just a massive step back in every single way. Like making an SDK and "printer" for an existing retro console to help devs port to a real retro system would be one thing, but this is nuts.
Extra effort, insanely limited install base, insanely limited system for absolutely no reason, fake carts (an SNES cart is not just flash memory like a USB stick/memory card, that's why 3DS and Vita games have loading times). The recycled chassis and controller are admirable ideas, but all in all this makes less sense than Ouya. Zero reason to work on this when you could target Android TV or a "couch ready" prebuilt PC.
I can't find it now, but I also recall some devs working on an imaginary 8(?) bit "console" you develop digital games for with strict (artificial) restrictions, honestly that makes a lot more sense. Make a retro SDK, not a console. Or print "carts" of PC games. This? Crazy.
I say this with love, but Brian Provinciano is one crazy dude and I think there's a possibility he'd do it, but they'd probably have to pay him or do the work--he did say the actual legit 8 bit version of RCR was too damn much work (but he WAS making one and got pretty far), he also released on almost every platform his own damn self, released TWO physical releases of crazy low print runs, AND released a wiiware version knowing he would literally never see a dime from it. He's a crazy dude and it's pretty awesome.
Extra effort, insanely limited install base, insanely limited system for absolutely no reason, fake carts (an SNES cart is not just flash memory like a USB stick/memory card, that's why 3DS and Vita games have loading times). The recycled chassis and controller are admirable ideas, but all in all this makes less sense than Ouya. Zero reason to work on this when you could target Android TV or a "couch ready" prebuilt PC.
I can't find it now, but I also recall some devs working on an imaginary 8(?) bit "console" you develop digital games for with strict (artificial) restrictions, honestly that makes a lot more sense. Make a retro SDK, not a console. Or print "carts" of PC games. This? Crazy.
I say this with love, but Brian Provinciano is one crazy dude and I think there's a possibility he'd do it, but they'd probably have to pay him or do the work--he did say the actual legit 8 bit version of RCR was too damn much work (but he WAS making one and got pretty far), he also released on almost every platform his own damn self, released TWO physical releases of crazy low print runs, AND released a wiiware version knowing he would literally never see a dime from it. He's a crazy dude and it's pretty awesome.
Comfort Jones
Banned
Is this...hipster game technology? Like what is the actual draw of this?
Hmmmm.i wonder why.....
evilromero
Member
I don't really care about the business side. I just want what I want.
Infernal Monkey
Member
I'm all for physical releases of previously digital-only games, but eehhh. An entirely new system is really unappealing.
Why not 'Kickstart' as a publisher for existing consoles? More and more indie games are getting the retail treatment these days (especially in Europe) and that's fantastic. The niche collector market is already there (just look at lengths some Vita fans go through to secure physical games). Why not target the existing market?
Why not 'Kickstart' as a publisher for existing consoles? More and more indie games are getting the retail treatment these days (especially in Europe) and that's fantastic. The niche collector market is already there (just look at lengths some Vita fans go through to secure physical games). Why not target the existing market?
NoFaceNico
Member
These guys are stupidly optimistic if they think that developers will revive old IPs for this console and not also release the games as digital downloads on platforms people also own. The indie market would make sense of it didn't make any sense for indies to pay for all of the added expense of physical media. It's just a bad idea all around. It's a fun concept but makes no practical sense at all.
MrCunningham
Member
Green Yoshi
Member
Unless you don't start the production before you have enough orders for a physical version. It's a niche, but I think there are some collectors out there that want to put games as Braid, Shantae and Thomas was alone into their shelves.
A stripped down version of the Wii hardware (no disk drive) with net access to all Wii (and Wii U?) VC titles would probably sell REALLY well during the Christmas season. Sell it for $50 with a few games and a Wii remote/classic controller. Those Atari clones seem to sell every year...
Aceofspades
Banned
Facepalm...
longnosedgoblin
Member
So this is essentially going the be a jaguar shell with a raspberry pi in it, to allow you to play a jaguar cartridge with an sd card in it using a substandard third party wii controller?
As financially stupid making a true 16bit console would be for them at least there might be a niche market for that sort of thing but this, surely not.
As financially stupid making a true 16bit console would be for them at least there might be a niche market for that sort of thing but this, surely not.