Engineering:Atari VCS (2019 console)

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Atari VCS
Atari-VCS-Logo.png
Also known asProject Ataribox
DeveloperAtari Interactive
ManufacturerFlex (Console)[1]
PowerA (Controllers)[2]
TypeHome video game console, microconsole
Release date
  • WW: July 2019
[3]
Introductory priceUS$199 (Onyx)
US$299 (Collector's Edition)
US$399 (Tribute Edition)
Operating systemUbuntu-based(Atari OS)
CPUAMD Bristol Ridge A10-9630P
Memory8 GB DDR4
StorageInternal flash memory: 32 GB
microSD
USB storage device
Removable storagemicroSD
USB storage
DisplayHDMI 2.0
GraphicsAMD Radeon R7
Controller inputClassic Joystick, Modern Controller
Connectivity2.4/5 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Gigabit Ethernet
Bluetooth 5.0
4 × USB 3.0
Dimensions14.5 in × 5.3 in × 1.6 in (36.8 cm × 13.5 cm × 4.1 cm)
Mass3 lb (1.4 kg)

Atari VCS (Code named Ataribox) is an upcoming home video game console produced by Atari, SA. The system was first revealed in June 2017 and pre-orders began on May 30, 2018.[4] While its physical design is intended to pay homage to the Atari 2600, the new Atari VCS is expected to play modern games and streaming entertainment via a Linux-based operating system that will allow users to download and install other compatible games onto it. The system shares a name with Atari, Inc.'s 1977 Video Computer System, usually shortened to VCS, which was renamed to the Atari 2600 in late 1982.

History

Atari Corporation left the hardware business around 1996, after it released the Atari Jaguar CD video game console, and was liquidated in 1998, with Hasbro Interactive purchasing the intellectual property of the brand. In 2001, Infogrames Entertainment, SA purchased Hasbro Interactive. Infogrames would later renamed itself Atari, SA, while the Hasbro Interactive subsidiary was renamed Atari Interactive. Atari Interactive provided licensing for the various Atari Flashback dedicated consoles produced since 2004, but has never been directly involved in their production.

The concept of the Atari VCS 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 to play games on the larger screen that were not traditionally available for consoles, then using social media platforms outside of the games via the laptop to communicate with friends.[5] He also saw that Atari's game catalog had a good amount of brand recognition.[6] His design goal was to feed nostalgia for the old Atari consoles and allow players to enjoy indie games without a personal computer.[6] Processor maker AMD provided custom componentry for it.[6] 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.[6]

The console in its current rendition would function as a sort of hybrid between a home video 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.[5] 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.[5] 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 build towards, but ultimately never took off. Instead, the Ataribox hardware configuration will remain fixed, controlled by Atari.[5]

In December 2017, just prior to opening for pre-orders for the Ataribox, Atari recognized there were still several issues they needed to address with the hardware, and decided to postpone the pre-orders. At that point, Michael Arzt, the head for Atari Connected Devices, took over production while Conuladh left Atari, though the two had been coordinating on its development previously. According to Atari CEO Fred Chesnais, this period gave them time to review what they wanted the Ataribox to do, and revises the unit's specifications and hardware without sacrificing the core elements of being a Linux-based system that would be able to run classic Atari games along with newer titles.[7]

Announcements

Atari first teased Project Ataribox in June 2017 during E3, releasing images of the box but did not call out any technical specifications. As this followed Nintendo's November 2016 release of the NES Classic Edition, a dedicated console that supported a number of pre-loaded Nintendo Entertainment System games, journalists believed that the new Atari system was developed in kind, to provide a way to play classic Atari games on a dedicated platform.[8]

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 2019. 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.[9] Conuladh said they chose Indiegogo to help with international sales and hardware support, including a close relationship with Arrow Electronics, an electronics components company, that has supported past Indiegogo projects.[6][5]

Pre-orders for the system were expected to start on December 14, 2017,[10] but Atari announced a temporary delay that day, stating "it is taking more time to create the platform and ecosystem the Atari community deserves".[11]

During the 2018 Game Developers Conference, Atari announced that the unit would be called the Atari VCS.[12] Pre-orders for the console and controllers started on May 30, 2018 exclusively via Indiegogo, with shipping expected in quarter 2 of 2019; the configurations included the wood-veneer front panel “Collector’s Edition” model, and an all-black with red-orange highlights “Onyx” console model. A base system, consisting of a console and joystick controller ran from $279 to $299.[13][14] Within the first day, the Atari VCS saw more than US$2.25 million in pre-orders, far exceeding the anticipated US$100 thousand they were seeking to start production.[15]

On June 27, 2018, Rob Wyatt, system architect for the original Xbox and designer of Playstation 3's graphic systems, was announced as part of the VCS team. Wyatt and his company Tin Giant had been working with Atari for months to define hardware and operating system requirements. About joining the project, Wyatt said, "Who wouldn’t want to be part of bringing Atari back? From the moment the AMD team introduced me to Atari and the VCS project, I have been intrigued and inspired by the opportunity that it represents.”[16] The announcement came only days after British technology news website The Register and Atari faced off after an interview between a reporter and Atari COO Michael Arzt from March 2018 resurfaced. In the article, the Register reporter questioned the VCS project's legitimacy after Arzt was unable to answer certain questions about the project.[17]

Hardware

Atari has not released the exact specifications of the Atari VCS, but states that it will be based on a customized AMD central processor and will use Radeon graphic processing technology.[9] 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 echo the look-and-feel of the Atari 2600, with a black veneer and faux wood-grain front plate, though sized about half as large.[8][18]

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.[6]

The hardware will include one "Classic Joystick" controller, based on the single-button design of the Atari CX40 joystick, adding only addition inset buttons for accessing the console's menus,[12][19] as well as LED lighting. A "Modern Controller" features a layout typical of modern console platforms.[12]

Two editions of Atari VCS have been announced, including one inspired by Atari 2600 and the other in red and black colors having a front panel made of glass.[20]

Accessories

Atari has stated that while they will provide bundles with the Classic Joystick and Modern Controller, there will also be options to purchase the device without them. This comes as Atari intends to allow users to use their own pre-existing accessories including remotes, mouse and keyboards, microphones, external speakers and other controllers.[21]

Software

The Atari VCS will be driven by a Linux operating system. The software is specifically designed to be open to allow users to install other Linux-compatible applications on the Atari VCS alongside pre-installed games,[9] using Atari Vault. Other applications that can be installed include streaming applications, music players, and web browsers.[6] Whereas the Atari 2600 was a cartridge-driven game system, the VCS does not allow for the use of cartridges or optical discs for games, but instead allows players to download games from external websites or install through storage media such as SD cards.[citation needed]

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".[9] Conuladh stated that there will be "hundreds" of Atari games, plus a number of other retro games from other catalogs.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Atari: April 2018". atari-investisseurs.fr. http://www.atari-investisseurs.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/PRES-ATARI-2018-04-US-VDEF2.pdf. Retrieved 28 June 2018. 
  2. ↑ Palumbo, Alessio. "Atari VCS Specs Unveiled – Bristol Ridge A10, Radeon R7, 8GB DDR4 RAM, Mouse & Keyboard Support". wccftech.com. https://wccftech.com/atari-vcs-specs-bristol-ridge-radeon-r7/. Retrieved 28 June 2018. 
  3. ↑ "They talked about Atari VCS". http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1806/01/news133.html. 
  4. ↑ "Atari® Announces Atari VCS™ Pre-Sale Begins May 30th on INDIEGOGO with Exclusive Wood-Front Collector's Edition, Onyx Model and Accessories". April 30, 2018. https://www.atari.com/news/atari-announces-atari-vcs-pre-sale-begins-may-30th-indiegogo-exclusive-wood-front-collectors. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Takahashi, Dean (October 18, 2017). "Former Xbox leader Ed Fries quizzes Feargal Mac on Atari’s new console". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2017/10/18/former-xbox-leader-ed-fries-quizzes-feargal-mac-on-ataris-new-console/. Retrieved October 18, 2017. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Takahashi, Dean (September 25, 2017). "Ataribox runs Linux on AMD chip and will cost at least $250". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/25/ataribox-runs-linux-on-amd-chip-and-will-cost-at-least-249/. Retrieved September 26, 2017. 
  7. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (March 26, 2018). "Atari pressed the reset button on its Atari VCS game console". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/26/atari-pressed-the-reset-button-on-its-atari-vcs-game-console/. Retrieved March 26, 2018. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kerr, Chris (July 17, 2017). "The AtariBox sounds like an NES Classic with a modern twist". Gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/301859/The_Ataribox_sounds_like_a_NES_Classic_with_a_modern_twist.php. Retrieved September 26, 2017. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Kerr, Chris (September 26, 2017). "Back to the future: AtariBox price and (some) tech specs revealed". Gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/306507/Back_to_the_future_Ataribox_price_and_some_tech_specs_revealed.php. Retrieved September 26, 2017. 
  10. ↑ Seppela, Timothy (December 11, 2017). "Ataribox pre-orders start this week, without any game details". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/11/ataribox-preorders-december-14/. Retrieved December 11, 2017. 
  11. ↑ Lilly, Paul (December 14, 2017). "Atari hits pause button on AMD-powered Ataribox preorders". PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/atari-hits-pause-button-on-amd-powered-ataribox-preorders/. Retrieved December 14, 2017. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Takahashi, Dean (March 19, 2018). "Ataribox is now Atari VCS, preorders open in April for retro-inspired console". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/19/atari-unveils-atari-vcs-its-first-home-game-console-in-9-years/. Retrieved March 19, 2018. 
  13. ↑ "Atari VCS pre-orders start May 30th, but it won't ship until 2019" (in en-US). Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/30/atari-vcs-pre-orders-start-may-30th/. 
  14. ↑ Warren, Tom (May 30, 2018). "Atari’s retro VCS console is now available for preorder". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/30/17408184/ataris-vcs-console-preorder-specifications-release-date-pricing. Retrieved May 30, 2018. 
  15. ↑ Lee, Dave (May 31, 2018). "Atari VCS throwback console attracts $2m in pre-orders". BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44311478. Retrieved May 31, 2018. 
  16. ↑ Sheehan, Gavin. "Rob Wyatt Officially Joins the Atari VCS Team". Bleeding Cool. https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/06/27/rob-wyatt-officially-joins-atari-vcs-team/. Retrieved 27 June 2018. 
  17. ↑ Sirani, Jordan. "Atari's New Console Under Fire Again As Crowdfunding Campaign Nears End". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/22/ataris-new-console-under-fire-again-as-crowdfunding-campaign-nears-end. Retrieved 27 June 2018. 
  18. ↑ Browne, Ryan (September 26, 2017). "Atari’s new console to cost less than $300 and ship next spring". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/26/atari-console-ataribox-to-ship-next-spring.html. Retrieved September 26, 2017. 
  19. ↑ Workman, Robert (November 30, 2017). "Atari Reveals Its AtariBox Controller, And It’s Decidedly Old-School". Comicbook.com. http://comicbook.com/gaming/2017/12/01/atari-ataribox-controller-old-school-atari-2600/. Retrieved December 11, 2017. 
  20. ↑ "Ataribox will come in two suitably retro editions". Engadget. July 17, 2018. https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/17/ataribox-will-come-in-two-suitably-retro-editions/. 
  21. ↑ "A Classic Reimagined". Indiegogo.com. May 30, 2018. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/atari-vcs-game-stream-connect-like-never-before-computers-pc#/updates/all. Retrieved May 31, 2018. 

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