Atari VCS (originally named Ataribox ) is a game console developed by Atari, SA . The prefix was first introduced in June 2017, and pre-orders began on May 30, 2018 [2] . Although Atari VCS is primarily designed to run games with the Atari 2600 using emulation , the console is controlled by a Linux- based operating system that will allow users to download and install other compatible games on it.
| Atari vcs | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Atari interactive |
| Manufacturer | Atari Gamebox LLC |
| Type of | Game console |
| release date | 2019 |
| Cost at the beginning of sales | US $ 199 (Onyx) US $ 299 (Collector's Edition) |
| Operating room system | Ubuntu-based |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 |
| Constant memory | Built - in flash memory : 32 GB microSD USB |
| Operational memory | 8 GB DDR4 [1] |
| Display | HDMI 2.0 |
| GP | Radeon RX Vega 3 |
| Facilities management | Classic joystick, gamepad |
| Interfaces | 2.4 / 5 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi Gigabit ethernet Bluetooth 5.0 4 × USB 3.0 |
| Previous | Atari jaguar |
Content
- 1 History
- 2 Announcement
- 3 Specifications
- 3.1 Hardware
- 3.2 Software
- 3.3 Accessories
- 4 See also
- 5 notes
- 6 References
History
Atari left the gaming console market in 1996 after the release of Atari Jaguar . Since then, the company has existed in various forms, preserving the intellectual property rights of the Atari brand. Atari has licensed various Atari Flashback custom consoles released since 2004, but has never been directly involved in their production.
The Atari VCS concept came from Firgal Mack Conulad, who joined Atari and became general manager for controlling the release of Ataribox. Konulad said he was inspired to create a unit after he saw that players connect laptops to TVs to play games on the big screen, and then use social networks to chat with friends [3] . He also saw that the Atari games catalog had good brand recognition [4] . When creating the console, he was guided by the fact that the design evoked nostalgia for the old Atari consoles, but at the same time, so that the console allowed players to enjoy indie games without a personal computer [4] . AMD processor developer has provided special components for it [4] . While Atari made the majority of decisions on hardware, they were also open to Atari fans' suggestions on device aesthetics and other visual features [4] .
The console in its current version will function as a kind of hybrid between the home game console and the gaming PC. Conulad took into account the mistakes that led to the commercial failure of Ouya, a similar crowdfunding console. One of them was to use the Linux operating system directly, and not through the limited version offered by Android, in order to provide more opportunities for developers and users [3] . Conulad did not want to limit what users could install on the device: while the device’s operating system would have a store function, he wanted users to be able to add software in any way possible [3] . Conulad also wanted to dodge the problems Valve's Steam Machines faced, which provided a minimal set of hardware specifications. Instead, the Ataribox hardware configuration will remain fixed, controlled by Atari [3] .
In December 2017, shortly before the opening of pre-orders for Ataribox, Atari admitted that there were still several issues that they needed to solve the hardware, and decided to postpone pre-orders. At this point, Michael Arts, the head of Atari Connected Devices, took over the production while Conulad left Atari, although both had previously coordinated its development. According to Atari CEO Fred Chesnais, this period gave them time to think about what they wanted from Ataribox and review the unit’s specifications and hardware without sacrificing the essential elements of a Linux system that could run classic Atari games along with new ones [ 5] .
Announce
Atari released the “ teaser ” video of Ataribox in June 2017 during E3 , but did not name any specifications. Since this followed the release of the Nintendo NES Classic Edition, a dedicated console that supported a number of pre-loaded Nintendo Entertainment System games, reporters believed the AtariBox was designed to play Atari classic games on a dedicated platform [6] .
Additional information published in September 2017 provided more detailed information about the software, including plans for using Linux to provide an open platform for installing other compatible software, as well as about the planned release in the second quarter of 2018. The console was expected to cost between $ 249 and $ 299. The statement also said that part of the unit’s funding would come from Indiegogo ’s crowdfunding campaign , which should be launched before the end of 2017 [7] . Conulad said they chose Indiegogo to support international sales and hardware support , including a close relationship with Arrow Electronics, an electronic component company that supported past Indiegogo projects [3] [4] .
Pre-orders were due to begin on December 14, 2017 [8] , but Atari announced a time delay on that day, stating that “it takes more time to build the platform and ecosystem that the Atari community deserves” [9] .
During GDC 2018, Atari announced that the console would be called Atari VCS [10] . Pre-orders for the console and controllers began on May 30, 2018 exclusively through Indiegogo , with delivery expected in mid-2019; the console was presented in two versions: with a front panel made of wood (Collector's Edition) available only on pre-order and a completely black console (Onyx). A set consisting of a console and a joystick cost from 279 to 299 US dollars [11] [12] . During the first day, the Atari VCS project collected over $ 2 million in pre-orders, far exceeding the expected $ 100,000 that was needed to start production [13] .
Specifications
Hardware
Atari did not name the exact specifications of Atari VCS, but states that it will be based on the AMD Raven Ridge processor and will use Radeon graphics technology [7] . The photos of the device presented in July 2017 show the HDMI and USB ports , the Ethernet port and the SD card slot . Externally, the console resembles the Atari 2600 .
Konulad says they rely on hardware comparable to the 2017 mid-range personal computer, powerful enough to run most games, but no later AAA projects [4] .
Software
Atari VCS will be managed by a Linux- based operating system. The software is specifically designed for open access so that users can install other Linux-compatible applications on Atari VCS along with pre-installed games [7] . Other applications that can be installed include streaming applications, music players, and web browsers [4] . While the Atari 2600 was a game system with cartridges, VCS does not use cartridges or optical discs for games, but allows players to download games from external websites or install them through storage media such as SD cards .
Atari said the unit would supply “tons of Atari classic retro games, pre-loaded, and other games from other companies.” [7] Conulad said that there will be “hundreds” of Atari games, as well as many retro games from other directories [3] .
Accessories
The “classic joystick ” based on the Atari CX40 joystick’s one- contact design with LED backlight and additional buttons for accessing the console menu [10] [14] will be used for control, as well as the “modern controller” has a design typical of most modern gamepads [ 10] . Atari will also allow users to use their own accessories, including remotes, mice and keyboards, microphones and external speakers [15] .
See also
- History of computer games
- Atari 2600
- Atari 2600 Game Collection
Notes
- ↑ Linder, Brad. Atari VCS gets 8GB RAM spec bump, will be bootable from USB devices . Liliputing (17 July 2018). Date of treatment July 23, 2018.
- ↑ Atari® Announces Atari VCS ™ Pre-Sale Begins May 30th on INDIEGOGO with Exclusive Wood-Front Collector's Edition, Onyx Model and Accessories (link not available) . Atari (April 30, 2018). Date of treatment June 1, 2018. Archived May 1, 2018.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 Takahashi, Dean Former Xbox leader Ed Fries quizzes Feargal Mac on Atari's new console . Venture Beat (October 18, 2017). Date of treatment October 18, 2017.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Takahashi, Dean Ataribox runs Linux on AMD chip and will cost at least $ 250 . Venture Beat (September 25, 2017). Date of appeal September 26, 2017.
- ↑ Takahashi, Dean Atari pressed the reset button on its Atari VCS game console . Venture Beat (March 26, 2018). Date of appeal March 26, 2018.
- ↑ Kerr, Chris The AtariBox sounds like an NES Classic with a modern twist . Gamasutra (July 17, 2017). Date of appeal September 26, 2017.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Kerr, Chris Back to the future: AtariBox price and (some) tech specs revealed . Gamasutra (September 26, 2017). Date of appeal September 26, 2017.
- ↑ Seppela, Timothy Ataribox pre-orders start this week, without any game details . Engadget (December 11, 2017). Date of treatment December 11, 2017.
- ↑ Lilly, Paul Atari hits pause button on AMD-powered Ataribox preorders . PC Gamer (December 14, 2017). Date of treatment December 14, 2017.
- ↑ 1 2 3 Takahashi, Dean Ataribox is now Atari VCS, preorders open in April for retro-inspired console . Venture Beat (March 19, 2018). Date of treatment March 19, 2018.
- ↑ Atari VCS pre-orders start May 30th, but it won't ship until 2019 , Engadget .
- ↑ Warren, Tom Atari's retro VCS console is now available for preorder unopened . The Verge (May 30, 2018). Date of appeal May 30, 2018.
- ↑ Lee, Dave Atari VCS throwback console attracts $ 2m in pre-orders . BBC (May 31, 2018). Date of appeal May 31, 2018.
- ↑ Workman, Robert Atari Reveals Its AtariBox Controller, And It's Decidedly Old-School . Comicbook.com (November 30, 2017). Date of treatment December 11, 2017.
- ↑ A Classic Reimagined . Indiegogo.com (May 30, 2018). Date of appeal May 31, 2018.