Atari VCS (2021 console): Difference between revisions
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The Ataribox will be driven by the [[Linux]] operating system. The software is specifically designed to be open to allow |
The Ataribox will be driven by the [[Linux]] operating system. The software is specifically designed to be open to allow users to install other Linux-compatible applications on the Ataribox alongside pre-installed games.<ref name="gamasutra sept2017"/> Other applications that can be installed include streaming applications, music players, and web browsers.<Ref name="vb conuladh"/> |
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Atari has stated that the unit will ship with "tons of classic Atari retro games pre-loaded, and current titles from a range of studios".<ref name="gamasutra sept2017"/> Conuladh stated that there will be "hundreds" of Atari games, plus a number of other retro games from other catalogs.<ref name="vb fries conuladh"/> |
Atari has stated that the unit will ship with "tons of classic Atari retro games pre-loaded, and current titles from a range of studios".<ref name="gamasutra sept2017"/> Conuladh stated that there will be "hundreds" of Atari games, plus a number of other retro games from other catalogs.<ref name="vb fries conuladh"/> |
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Revision as of 17:56, 1 November 2017
| Developer | Atari, SA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Atari, SA |
| Type | home video game console, microconsole |
| Release date |
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Ataribox (officially "Project Ataribox") is an upcoming home video game console produced by Atari, SA. The system was first revealed in June 2017. It is expected to be released in Q2 2018.
History
Atari had exited the hardware business around 1996, following its release of the Atari Jaguar, and since then, has existed in various forms, holding the rights to the intellectual property of the Atari brand and software properties. Atari did provide licensing for the various Atari Flashback dedicated consoles but was not directly involved in their production.
The concept of Ataribox came from Feargal Mac Conuladh, who joined Atari and became general manager to oversee the Ataribox release. Conuladh said that he was inspired to create the unit after seeing players connect laptops to televisions as to play games on the larger screen that were not traditionally available for consoles, as well as then using social media platforms outside of the games via the laptop to communicate with friends.[1] He also saw that Atari's game catalog had a good amount of brand recognition.[2] His goal with the design of the unit was to provide nostalgia for the old Atari consoles, while also providing a means for players to enjoy indie games without the need for a personal computer.[2] Processor maker AMD showed strong support for the idea had partnered to help providing custom componentry for it.[2] While Atari made most of the decisions on the unit's hardware, they have also kept open to suggestions from Atari fans on the unit's aesthetics and other visual features.[2]
The console in its current rendition would function as a sort of hybrid between a home game console and a gaming PC, two branches of electronics Atari has operated in previously. Conuladh took lessons learned from the commercial failure of the Ouya, a similar crowd-funded microconsole. One was to use the Linux operating system directly, rather than through the limited version offered through Android, as to be able to provide more capabilities and a more open system to developers and users.[1] Conuladh did not want to restrict what users could install on the device; while the unit's operating system will have a storefront feature, he wanted users to be able to add software by any means possible.[1] Conuladh also wanted to steer away from problems encountered by Valve's Steam Machines, which provided a minimum set of specifications for hardware that Valve expected other vendors to built towards, but ultimately never took off. Instead, the Ataribox hardware configuration will remain fixed, controlled by Atari.[1]
Announcements
Atari first teased the Ataribox in June 2017 during E3, releasing images of the box but did not call out any technical specifications. As this followed Nintendo's release of the NES Classic Edition, a dedicated console that supported a number of pre-loaded Nintendo Entertainment System games, journalists believed that AtariBox was developed in kind, to provide a way to play classic Atari games on a dedicated platform.[3]
Further information released in September 2017 provided more technical specifications, details on the software approach including the plans to use Linux and provide an open platform for other compatible software to be installed, and a planned release in the second quarter of 2018. The price is expected to fall between $249 and $299, based on configuration options. The announcement also stated some of the funding for the unit will come from a planned Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to be launched before the end of 2017.[4] Conuladh said they chose Indiegogo as to help with international sales and hardware support, including a close relationship with Arrow Electronics, a electronics components company, that has supported past Indiegogo projects.[2][1]
Hardware
Atari has not released the exact specifications of the AtariBox, but states that it will be based on a customized AMD central processor and will use Radeon graphic processing technology.[4] Pictures of the unit released in July 2017 showed HDMI and USB ports, an Ethernet port, and an SD card slot. The unit's photos the look-and-feel of the Atari 2600, with a black veneer and faux wood-grain front plate, though sized about half as small.[3][5]
Conuladh says that they anticipate the hardware is comparable to a mid-range personal computer for 2017, powerful enough to run most games but not for more recent AAA titles.[2]
Software
The Ataribox will be driven by the Linux operating system. The software is specifically designed to be open to allow users to install other Linux-compatible applications on the Ataribox alongside pre-installed games.[4] Other applications that can be installed include streaming applications, music players, and web browsers.[2]
Atari has stated that the unit will ship with "tons of classic Atari retro games pre-loaded, and current titles from a range of studios".[4] Conuladh stated that there will be "hundreds" of Atari games, plus a number of other retro games from other catalogs.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Takahashi, Dean (October 18, 2017). "Former Xbox leader Ed Fries quizzes Feargal Mac on Atari's new console". Venture Beat. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g Takahashi, Dean (September 25, 2017). "Ataribox runs Linux on AMD chip and will cost at least $250". Venture Beat. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ a b Kerr, Chris (July 17, 2017). "The AtariBox sounds like a NES Classic with a modern twist". Gamasutra. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Kerr, Chris (September 26, 2017). "Back to the future: AtariBox price and (some) tech specs revealed". Gamasutra. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ Browne, Ryan (September 26, 2017). "Atari's new console to cost less than $300 and ship next spring". CNBC. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
