elmer Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Coleco Chameleon Absente Edition : the only edition we would care about but was not there I know that I certainly wouldn't want my Absinthe to be absent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmer Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 And here comes Mike's plausible deniability. "I'm not a hardware guy. He told me it was an FPGA running an SNES core. I've been duped just like you guys." This anonymous HW guy is being set up as essentially John 2.0: The Next Scapegoat This is also why I think that everyone here (including me) is probably just totally barking-up-the-wrong-tree. Just because Mike says that they're running a "custom SNES-core" in their FPGA, doesn't mean that he actually means it in the same way that Kevtris would if he were saying it. I wouldn't be even-the-slightest-bit surprised if Mike's custom-and-proprietary SNES-core was just the simple FPGA logic programming that would configure a small-and-cheap FPGA that is attached to a SNES cartridge-socket, and enable it to read the contents of a SNES cartridge into a software-emulated-SNES that's running on an ARM chip, i.e. no different to a Retron 5's FPGA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenixdownita Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 This is also why I think that everyone here (including me) is probably just totally barking-up-the-wrong-tree. Just because Mike says that they're running a "custom SNES-core" in their FPGA, doesn't mean that he actually means it in the same way that Kevtris would if he were saying it. I wouldn't be even-the-slightest-bit surprised if Mike's custom-and-proprietary SNES-core was just the simple FPGA logic programming that would configure a small-and-cheap FPGA that is attached to a SNES cartridge-socket, and enable it to read the contents of a SNES cartridge into a software-emulated-SNES that's running on an ARM chip, i.e. no different to a Retron 5's FPGA. Even if that was true the only cycle perfect SNES "core" is byuu Higan and that requires a 3GHz+ i7 to run in "accurate" mode, so whatever emu they have it's NOT gonna be as accurate hence Keatah was right all along (and I am eating my socks). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaperman Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) edit: nevermind. I shouldn't post this late. I get mean. Meaner than usual, even. Edited February 15, 2016 by Reaperman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretthorror Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 guts.jpg ALL DAY! See I was drinking beers, barely know Shawn and obviously didn't plan that shit. HONESTY VS. BULLSHIT. How come Shawn wasn't scared to break his shit open because it was fragile? Oh because he's an honorable human being. Mike does not have to be a hardware engineer to not be a total idiot. I don't know what PCB stands for, but no one is gonna put a mini in my shell under my nose because I'm gonna make the hardware asshole explain it to me. Like the post I made earlier got into, ignorance is not an excuse. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninja_gaiden2015 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ3m2D-WEG8 just saw this video on my youtube feed and thought I might share "Is the Coleco Chameleon Prototype a Scam". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_ocelot Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) My whole reading is this situation is "good enough". As in: Good enough to look reasonably authentic at the ToyFair so he could do some more schmoozing (sorry! I mean 'networking') with other industry bigwigs, maybe talk big and rope in another trademark squatter. It's too bad you 'haters' blew the whistle on him. Now he's out of pocket money for his trip to NYC. Good enough to pass the needs-a-prototype test to barely scrape into a Kickstarter. Hey, at least he didn't write the letters PROTOTYPE on a cardboard box in marking pen this time. Let's hope someone at KS asks for proof and doesn't take his word for it -- anyone with half a brain will hopefully realize that piece of garbage doesn't come close to passing the sniff test. Good enough for him to think he can go back to the community and say, "Hey, I gots yer proto-ma-type right here. Fulla FBGA goodness, so shaddup ya haters! Gimme money. I'm a gamer, just like you". The hard thing for the zealots to swallow will be that Mike fed them a steaming log of bullshit in December, complete with crocodile tears and promises they will "do it right" this time. The 'AA haters' will get blamed again. Someone will start slinging pseudo legal talk and the forum owners will get spooked and lock threads as damage control. Rinse, wash, repeat. Get ready for Round 3. (and remember: it's never, ever Mike's fault) Edited February 15, 2016 by rob_ocelot 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 If he cries foul on the hardware guy duping him it would be the 2nd time it happened. My whole reading is this situation is "good enough". Good enough to pass the needs-a-prototype test to barely scrape into a Kickstarter. Hey, at least he didn't write the letters PROTOTYPE on a cardboard box in marking pen this time. Let's hope someone at KS asks for proof and doesn't take his word for it -- I don't have much faith in Kickstarter having the technical expertise to identify and match circuitboards and all that. This will pass muster. And is good enough. This "could" be considered a prototype of a prototype? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andromeda Stardust Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 It'll be interesting to know PikoInteractive impressions of what he saw and what we think he was exposed to instead (I believe it to be a SNES mini). He had a SNES game PCB with him and that cannot be coincidence, I wonder if that's what Mike promised (the CC will play your SNES games natively) or he mentioned that the current "proto" had a SNES cart connector but that would change so it was just a chance to try out if the game even works. Did this get posted yet? https://pikointeractive.com/blog/back-from-the-ny-toy-fair-2016-coleco-chameleon-edition/ [edit: oh yes while I was typing... ] That does it. Piko has been officially brainwashed by Mike's infectious delusions. Please do not drink the Koolaid; it is laced with toxic additives which can lead to Chameleon Cancer. In all seriousness, Piko is a nice guy really. I've bought several of his SNES games including the 4-in-1, Noah's Ark, Classic Kong, and others. I sincerely hope his involvement with the Chameleon project does not tarnish his reputation as a seller and IP rights negotiator. Really great product and I applaud what Piko has done for the retro community, legally releasing homebrew and vintage unreleased games, but Piko if you're reading this, please, do not allow your good reputation to get ruined by this con artist. It's not worth it. Well, if we are including RGR forums here. Then check this out http://retrogamingroundup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7550&p=47969#post47969 Actually to be completely clear I cashed in some of our personal 401K to get the cash to buy the Jag tooling. Then I personally loaned that money to GameGavel,LLC to purchase the molds. The new console company will soon purchase the tooling from GameGavel,LLC and then GameGavel, LLC will pay me back the loan. Also, while the tooling was owned by GameGavel,LLC it sold a few thousand dollars in the translucent shells which all that money went back into the magazine. So there was no comingling of funds. As far as my decision to start a second company for the console, it was needed as I don't have enough stock to share with others, something that I will beed to do to grow the console business in the future. The idea though is for the console company to pay GameGavel,LLC/RETRO Magazine for subscribers ( all buyers of the console will receive a digital and or print subscription to the magazine ) and also for a dedicated multi-page section devoted to promoting the console, its games and developers. The console company will pay the going rate for that coverage. So both companies will be working together to benefit the other, but at arm's length. It is still very important to me that my "owners" in GG,LLC will see an upside tied to the success of the console. So we can add money laundering to Mike's rap sheet. Nice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh3-rg Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) I guess there is a chance that Mike did not know it was an SNES mini and the hardware guy is lying. (and remember: it's never, ever Mike's fault) And here comes Mike's plausible deniability. Anyone know what time the next bus comes through town? I suspect Mike already has someone by each an upper and lower limb as he's eases into a tried and tested pendulous motion... Edited February 15, 2016 by sh3-rg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_ocelot Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) You know, if I was really serious about showing the world that the new Coleco means business I would clean up the website a bit. Maybe actually proofread the damn thing and fix those nagging spelling mistakes. I'd also spend some bucks and have professional pictures taken to at least show these people work in something resembling the same office (or even just an effing office!). Ditch the picture of your VP of Marketing riding a Greyhound bus and tell Steve Woita to not pick something from his hawaiian shirt collection because damnit, it's school picture day. I know Atari under Time Warner was a fun place to work in between lines of coke but I doubt the modern gaming world is ready for a full frontal retro revival of that magnitude. Edited February 15, 2016 by rob_ocelot 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrusmartin Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 What a horrible mess these people have made. It's like a storyline from an episode of Seinfeld and George just keeps getting deeper and deeper in. I would feel sorry for them if they weren't so brazen about it. This thing is (at a minimum) in serious trouble and could be just outright fraud. Sheesh. Crazy. -Cy 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leods Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 What a horrible mess these people have made. It's like a storyline from an episode of Seinfeld and George just keeps getting deeper and deeper in. I would feel sorry for them if they weren't so brazen about it. This thing is (at a minimum) in serious trouble and could be just outright fraud. Sheesh. Crazy. -Cy I'm not sure how much time you have, but it's a pitty comming to Atari Age just to post on this thread. These Forums are Gold. Stroll around. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMike Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Just for some clarity on identities. I am UK Mike, Mike James, miner2049er on Retro Gaming RoundUp forums. Pipercub is Scott Schreiber, Subarubrat on Retro Gaming Roundup forums. Vnaguy is Willie, focusrs on Retro Gaming RoundUp forums. Mike Kennedy is parrothead, socalmike, Gamegavel on Retro Gaming RoundUp forums. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMike Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Both Pipercub and myself know Steve Woita personally but it is unlikely he will talk about the prototype or hardware at this stage as he is still involved in the project. If at some point he wants to discuss the hardware and the project as a whole I believe he would do it with us but I wouldn't expect him to throw anybody under the bus. He is and always has been in my experience a gent and a nice guy. I suppose it depends how angry he is at the time. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMike Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Knowing mike and his abilities and limitations he needs a hardware guy and would not have built that proto himself even if it is a SNES of some kind. He would absolutely know what was in there though. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andromeda Stardust Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Knowing mike and his abilities and limitations he needs a hardware guy and would not have built that proto himself even if it is a SNES of some kind. He would absolutely know what was in there though. The fact is SoCal Mike made false statements publicly about what was under the hood. Why would he do that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Everybody is talking about the "hardware guy." Who is the "hardware guy?" Snuffleupagus, the Tooth Fairy, Voldemort? Why can't we speak his name? Is it a secret? Is it someone listed here? http://www.retrovgs.com/contact.html 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMike Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The fact is SoCal Mike made false statements publicly about what was under the hood. Why would he do that?For the same reason companies in the good old days at CES did the same thing. Either their board does not exist or wasn't ready for the show. Listen to some of our interviews with the original Atari people. They all did the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
privateers69 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 http://toyland.gizmodo.com/colecos-chameleon-is-a-retro-gaming-console-every-80s-k-1759157058 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 here is one more thing i noticed the other day and did not post. i dont think anyone else did either: that looks an awful lot like they missed a spot. coincidence its the same color plastic as the snes mini's back panel? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raticon Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 that looks an awful lot like they missed a spot. coincidence its the same color plastic as the snes mini's back panel? Interesting... See that massive pile over yonder, the one as big as a pyramid? That is our pile of "Its a SNES" edvidence. Put it there with the others. See that big empty space in that other direction? It is supposedly the evidence pile for a custom FPGA board. Sadly it is going to be repurposed into a garbage dump soon as it will always stay empty and un-used otherwise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thevnaguy Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Just for some clarity on identities. I am UK Mike, Mike James, miner2049er on Retro Gaming RoundUp forums. Pipercub is Scott Schreiber, Subarubrat on Retro Gaming Roundup forums. Vnaguy is Willie, focusrs on Retro Gaming RoundUp forums. Mike Kennedy is parrothead, socalmike, Gamegavel on Retro Gaming RoundUp forums. Now hey! Thats Mr. Vnaguy, Mr. Willie, Mr. Focusrs to you! hee hee hee Just kidding around UK, you my buddy! (hmmm Mr. Willie, sounds like a b rate porno name ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaysWithWolves Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) For the same reason companies in the good old days at CES did the same thing. Either their board does not exist or wasn't ready for the show. Listen to some of our interviews with the original Atari people. They all did the same thing. Mike already has credibility issues thanks to the many, many promises from the months leading to RVGS campaign. This includes the IGG campaign's system not being anywhere near the one he promised for months--unless an insane amount of systems were sold and met a stretch goal. He also claims this is a prototype, but Occam's razor suggests otherwise. In just eleven short days, Mike and company are asking for us to fund their company. This is not Atari who would put out a system that can be bought at a store and returned later that day; or that may have reviews written-of in the latest issue of EGM. While you're right about other companies, I'm not sure making excuses* for him is helpful to anyone but him. After the RVGS campaign, this one needed to be completely above reproach. *UKMike is explaining the reasons the Chameleon prototype may not be nearly the final product, rather than excusing its state. Edited February 15, 2016 by PlaysWithWolves 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Interesting... See that massive pile over yonder, the one as big as a pyramid? That is our pile of "Its a SNES" edvidence. Put it there with the others. See that big empty space in that other direction? It is supposedly the evidence pile for a custom FPGA board. Sadly it is going to be repurposed into a garbage dump soon as it will always stay empty and un-used otherwise. Actually this guy figured it out! One piece of evidence for the other pile! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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