It's better than this system. As is, people just put anything on stage without any business plan.what you are asking for already exists.
And we'd just be going back to the same system where creators are beholden to investors. Which I don't like.
With the amount of hardware going into this console now, maybe not.God these are insane prices. You are out of your mind.
It's better than this system. As is, people just put anything on stage without any business plan.
And those people fail.
With the amount of hardware going into this console now, maybe not.
As always, it is going to be the games that matter.
Might want to start up/purchase a few 1st party dev studios to make exclusives. It's go big or go home time.
Ya, but plenty of times after they've taken your money.
Ya, but plenty of times after they've taken your money.
So don't do business with them anymore and don't give money to bad kickstarters.
Many amazing games have been kickstarted. Without passionate fans funding developers directly, most of those great games would not exist.
caveat emptor
So don't do business with them anymore and don't give money to bad kickstarters.
Many amazing games have been kickstarted. Without passionate fans funding developers directly, most of those great games would not exist.
The way I understood it, they initially planned to throw the FPGA in so that they could make a, say, "a'la SNES core" for FPGA which would be basically like SNES with maybe a few bugs and tiny differences, and that would allow them to port existing new SNES games by means of bundling their relatively unadjusted versions with aforementioned core. Alternatively, for more "modern" titles, there would be a standard core library that would accelerate doing some sound and graphical things, and somebody crazy enough to adjust the thing would be able to do that.I'll admit, I've always thought that this device was pointless, but it might end up costing $400 now? And the 100 year flash is now plain old regular flash? Oh dear.
I'm sorry but I don't even see what the FPGA can bring to the table that's so exciting. Comparing it to the Super FX chip seems a bit strange as that really only served to make up for a slow main CPU. Isn't that essentially how the FPGA is likely to be used too? What's so revolutionary about that?
Maybe people shouldn't but you must because people will.You can't compare RVGS to OUYA. If you do you just aren't getting it.
Yeah but those boxes have no identity. They're just generic Android devices.They're pricing themselves out of an already niche market. The hardware doesn't matter. They could have just used a mobile soc. It doesn't matter if it has good games either. They will be ported when this thing inevitably tanks. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but I can't see this console ever getting funded, let alone have any chance of any kind of successful ecosystem.
There are Chinese android tv boxes and sticks that allow you to play emulators on your TV. Those are like 70 dollars and you get the benefit of having access to the play store as well. That's what you're competing with. And Chinese android handhelds that plug into the TV with hdmi and do the same for 120. 300 is insane. 400 is unspeakable. I don't know what these guys are thinking.
Just a few pages back the price was quoted as being in the $150 to $200 range. What the hell happened?
Did they actually say this was a goal, or was that just random speculation from people here?
The way I understood it, they initially planned to throw the FPGA in so that they could make a, say, "a'la SNES core" for FPGA which would be basically like SNES with maybe a few bugs and tiny differences, and that would allow them to port existing new SNES games by means of bundling their relatively unadjusted versions with aforementioned core. Alternatively, for more "modern" titles, there would be a standard core library that would accelerate doing some sound and graphical things, and somebody crazy enough to adjust the thing would be able to do that.
However, as it turns out, they're discussing FPGA-less version now, which sort of makes me interested what the hell is going on there. Maybe the FPGA priced as they were aiming for was simply too "small" to actually allow such cores. On the other hand, if you are going to allow a few bugs anyway, you could just run an emulator on the ARM. Uh... I just don't know, the project is interesting, but not enough to go and throw $400 on it while on the one hand you hear of titles like Shantae and on the other a 100 MiB game is considered big.
Did they actually say this was a goal, or was that just random speculation from people here?
At that price they should just go fully high end and make it the AES of the new millennium.
It could be like a status symbol among gamers.
Did they actually say this was a goal, or was that just random speculation from people here?
Oh man, the Ming Mecca is so fucking sweet!! I would totally order one if the price wasn't so insane. In fact, like some people here would pay $400 for a RVGS (but I wouldn't), I would pay $400 for a Ming Mecca. Eh, different strokes for different folks.
I even made a music video inspired by the Ming Mecca promotional video and the guy who made the Ming Mecca gave his thumbs up, he thought it looked pretty cool!
But overall, the Ming Mecca doesn't have an ambitious production scale like the RVGS, he sells them only on commission. Hell, I don't even know if he's ever sold any, the only videos I've seen are his own.
I've been at PAX and not interested in arguing with people about the reasons Kickstarter exists, since Kickstarter is very clear on the matter, and I didn't really think I needed to point out that I've backed a large number of projects and even been a part of two Kickstarters myself. But if you really won't shut up about it, I'll list some examples.The guy claims that "many projects" don't have the end product in the reward tiers and "most Kickstarters" selling t-shirts sell them for more than $100. Which is an argument so ridiculous that I'm starting to wonder if it was a troll post. So I called bullshit on that and asked to see some examples. This is important, do you see the burden of proof/"goal post" here? I'm asking for proof showing that many Kickstarters don't have the end product as a reward and most t-shirt rewards are priced over $100. On a side note, It's worth noting that there hasn't been a single example provided yet aside from the "silly" one that I did, which admittedly is silly but not nearly as silly as the argument I'm trying to disprove.
Geez, y'know. If only there was a retro console that could be bought for less than $150, has a sizable but relatively obscure library, an active homebrew community, arcade ports, and uses an Atari Jaguar case.
Oh, wait.
At that price they should just go fully high end and make it the AES of the new millennium.
It could be like a status symbol among gamers.
.More details (from AtariAge forums a month ago):
"I just wanted to address the cartridge pricing. We will be doing all manufacturing of both the consoles and cartridges here in the USA (PCB's however, will be contract manufactured and arrive to our facility as a sub assembly), under our own roof, in Southern California. Carts will be priced based on the games that are on them. For example, a new game from a fledgling indie or homebrew developer might be priced $19.99 while a popular franchise sequel might be $40-$50 depending on licensing costs mainly! And everything inbetween. So the short answer are carts will be priced from $19.99 to $49.99.
We are targeting the console to be $149.99. The retail box will include the console with four controller ports ( x 2 USB for the x 2 pack-in controllers and x 2 9-Pin ports for classic controllers), a pack-in game (possibly up to three pack-in games only for Kickstarter buyers), HDMI cable (and possibly composite and/or S-Video too) and AC Adapter. There is a small chance this might have to price out at $179.99 based on system hardware which will be a gamers and developers delight. . . . but doing all we can to try and stay at that $150 price point."
Mike,
As someone who is really excited by this project and sees the benefits of a new, offline, cartridge based system, I have to say that I believe there is a better route for you. It appears that you wanted to make a somewhat advanced machine which is very admirable in its own right. I certainly don't think a retro style system needs to be delegated to terrible hardware.
However, if this is what is driving up the cost I feel that it will be truly beneficial to back away from the FPGA board. Maybe this could be saved for a Retro VGS 2? Now, most likely, realisticly, you are probably already too far into this to change the hadware so close to the kickstarter.
I would recommend that you take serious consideration into the option of retooling this thing to be less costly and launching the Kickstarter later. I'm sure you have probably already invested a decent amount of your own money into this already and would hate to see it end poorly. I think it would really help out your company and the project to retool things and lower the cost.
Best of luck.
Call me crazy, but I expected something like 99 USD for Kickstarter backers and 149 USD retail... Oh well...
Call me crazy, but I expected something like 99 USD for Kickstarter backers and 149 USD retail... Oh well...
Somewhere your train got derailed but I'd like to think
you're taking this feedback to heart and will get it back on track.
Cmon, if youre truly passionate about something like this, what the hell is an extra $200? People like to get so indignant about such a small thing when its probably the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars on the production end from a small inexperienced creator doing something purely out of obsession. The idea is great, and if its supported by the industry with great games and creative ports, it could be something really special. And saying it should just be on Android or something is unfair and missing the point.
I think, unless the guys making it are assholes we ahould be excited someone is at least trying something as crazy as this, and we should understand theyre not a Company with endless pockets.
If this was just an emulation box, they would have got ripped apart amfrom the start.
Why not everyone pay $600 then? Better yet $800? What's a few hundred more?
Don't be facetious. Consoles used to all launch at the $800 price range not too long ago, so $400 is a pretty good price for something so niche. I guess I just have empathy for people starting passionate businesses that are never going to make them hugely rich but will be a cool addition to something like classic gaming. Ballsy move that if works could be cool as shit. I find this console more interesting than buying an Xbone or PS4 as long as it gets supported with games, which would be my only worry as the games shown aren't very inspiring.
Lest we forget.What console launched at $800? The 3DO was $700. The Neo Geo AES was $650. PlayStation 3 was $500 and $600. Those were the most expensive systems launched in the US. You can have empathy, but you were trivializing doubling the price of a console from $200 to $400. It's not something to trivialize over. Let's not ignore the fact that you said "what the hell is an extra $200?"
Lest we forget.
But Yeah, who cares about $200 if it makes the console a better, longer term prospect? I think its a small price to pay to attract the future Shovel Knight equivilent games to the console. Im assuming to that this machine will have a long life as it wont be playing the features and power game. And I should clarify im in Australia re: launch prices.
That's actually a very good idea.If they're considering FPGA-less versions now, how about this: make them all FPGA-less and make the FPGA a stackable cart like the Game Genie. Did I retro correctly there
You are asking who cares about an extra $200 in a thread filled with people who care about an extra $200. This whole thing was always going to face a huge uphill battle, but it's gonna be DOA at $400. That's a fact.