The Historian Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 We're (still) not convinced of a real Ataribox since the only pics so far are of renders. So tacos it is! The last images released were real, not renders. I can't speak to what was inside the case, I don't honestly know, but the case was very real. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 The last images released were real, not renders. I can't speak to what was inside the case, I don't honestly know, but the case was very real. Can you link or post the real image so I know what one you mean? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Well, looks like there's Ataribox news.. http://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/03/12/ataribox-debut-gdc-atari-flashback-classics-nintendo-switch/ Number of games actually announced for the Ataribox: 0 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Number of games actually announced for the Ataribox: 0 Be fair, they're announcing an announcement... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nathan Strum Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) Look - more awesome Ataribox news! https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/09/the_ataribox_lives/ Last month, the Ataribox's website also went offline, sparking speculation that the whole idea had been ditched. Apparently not though, with Atari announcing, alongside the relaunch of several classic Atari games, that "for the first time at an event, see a prototype of the 'Ataribox Project', Atari’s first major hardware platform in over twenty years!" Before you get too excited though, the announcement comes with an unnerving glut of great-sounding blurb but very limited product detail. From the announcement: "Inspired by the iconic silhouette and style of the legendary Atari 2600 Video Computer System, Atari’s new entertainment platform has already generated tons of positive fan feedback. "Thanks to its skillful blend of modern lines and reverential details, it has evoked positive reactions from long-standing and new Atari enthusiasts. Now, for the first time, see and touch a fully realized prototype of the new platform in person!" But no launch details, no firm specs, no details on what has caused the delays or whether they have been overcome. We will ask Atari CEO Fred Chesnais about them when we catch up with him later this month. "See and touch". Nothing about playing it. What is important to understand is that Atari isn't the company that you may imagine: it has less than 10 employees and doesn't really build anything. Each of its ventures has relied on crowdsourcing, indicating that the company has no capital to draw on. They're almost up to ten employees now? The hot tub parties must be getting crowded! Edited March 13, 2018 by Nathan Strum 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+thanatos Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Guess the news means keeping the thread bumped with taco pictures is slightly less necessary for a while! Slightly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 The hot tub parties must be getting crowded! Nothing we can't fix with a little lube and a lot of human resource nightmares 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Teams Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 We're (still) not convinced of a real Ataribox since the only pics so far are of renders. So tacos it is! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Historian Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) Can you link or post the real image so I know what one you mean? On https://ataribox.com at the bottom, the two images in the center with the tv in view. And I posted one pages and pages ago, that was behind the camera, so to speak. Edited March 13, 2018 by The Historian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetick1 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) So giving Atari SA the benefit of doubt that this thing actually exists... and that is really pushing it! So I just don't see what the Ataribox brings that was not already done by the failures of Steam Machine and Ouya ? As the official website only has : Connect, Game, Stream Like Never Before Killer Retro Games. Hot New Indie Titles. Open Linux OS. Connect & Stream even more. I guess the Fuji logo and a huge price tag are the only new features. ler Retro Games. Hot New Indie Titles. Open Linux OS. Connect & Stream even more. Edited March 13, 2018 by thetick1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockduck Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I guess my question is what new do they have to offer as far as games as to why I would need a system from them? If they had a bunch of exclusive new upgraded titles coming out only available on it like Nintendo for example I can see maybe. And if it is a bunch of old games still why not stick with a Flashback. If and when it comes out, for me to buy it I better see a must have game that I cannot get on any other system(with others lined up). If you are looking for exclusive new games, then you almost certainly won't need it. Stick with the PS4 or whatever you prefer. If you are looking for a modern-spec linux box that runs classic Atari games, can probably stream them with HDMI, and support indie development on it, while having a modern re-styling classic Atari look, this seems like the thing for you. I also suspect tinkerers may enjoy messing around with it. If it has things like YouTube, Netflix, Shudder, Hulu, Tubi, Pluto, etc. that's an added plus for me. But no, I'd be surprised if the economics made sense to have exclusive AAA development on it. If price point sensitivity is an issue for people, this probably isn't for them either. This is an electronics toy built for Atari and retro enthusiasts (hopefully) with a premium build and price point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignGuy81 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 If you are looking for exclusive new games, then you almost certainly won't need it. Stick with the PS4 or whatever you prefer. If you are looking for a modern-spec linux box that runs classic Atari games, can probably stream them with HDMI, and support indie development on it, while having a modern re-styling classic Atari look, this seems like the thing for you. I also suspect tinkerers may enjoy messing around with it. If it has things like YouTube, Netflix, Shudder, Hulu, Tubi, Pluto, etc. that's an added plus for me. But no, I'd be surprised if the economics made sense to have exclusive AAA development on it. If price point sensitivity is an issue for people, this probably isn't for them either. This is an electronics toy built for Atari and retro enthusiasts (hopefully) with a premium build and price point. I forgot to mention one thing in my post that you replied to. Another thing I think may would be a system seller is to play the old classics with friends online, in addition to new exclusive titles. But if it doesn't have any of that I believe it would be pointless and just can't see how a name and a logo on a case can justify a purchase. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I have stuff in every room in my house that can stream all services. I can make my own logo and stick it on any of them, but I prefer the AA sticker, even one of my 3D printers has one of those on it. No killer app, no purchase, especially at that insane price. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+frankodragon Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercylon Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I have stuff in every room in my house that can stream all services. I can make my own logo and stick it on any of them, but I prefer the AA sticker, even one of my 3D printers has one of those on it. No killer app, no purchase, especially at that insane price. Another way I look at this, we have four people in this house and probably about 4-5 devices of various sorts that can do many of those things (ugh... we are pack rats). Once I start getting ref money again, I may start a project with my daughter to build our own device, and it probably won't need $299 in parts. No reason for us to shell out that much money for crap in a box (re: Ataribox, assuming it sees the light of day). As I pointed out earlier, something like the Super NT is a professional example of how something can be done without smoke and mirrors and other shenanigans (granted... no online, but it was meant for playing SNES games). There has been nothing put out about the Ataribox that indicates to me that we are going to see the same level of professionalism. All we have are ideas and maybe a shell (I guess I will take the Historian on his word for that). We all know how well that worked out last time. I guess we shall see at the GDC. As far as the Flashback Classics for the Switch, I guess that one is a given. I assume Code Mystics will do the porting, and AtGames will publish again. What does Atari do with this one... just allow the use of the mark and the logo? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Checking the earlier-referenced article re: the debut of the Ataribox, it looks like the following statement wasn't too far off from something I was theorising about earlier: "The Atari blockchain platform, online casino games using crypto-currencies are the very first stones of a unique construction, at the crossroads of Technology and Entertainment". I wasn't 100% correct, but was evidently close enough to get the gist of one of the things they're aiming for. But being right wasn't the point: trying to figure out which cockamamie directions Atariboxcorp, Inc. might try to take this thing was. They seem to be doing a fairly good job of figuring out exactly what those cockamamie directions are. But who needs a solid game plan when you've got buzzwords and social media? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 That's a very familiar tagline. Who wore it better? "We've always tried to be at the intersection of technology and liberal arts, to be able to get the best of both, to make extremely advanced products from a technology point of view, but also have them be intuitive, easy to use, fun to use, so that they really fit the users the users dont have to come to them, they come to the user." - Steve Jobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDTAY Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 (edited) Meh on that Jobs quote. I guess it is unreasonable to expect everybody to code their own operating systems in assembly in order to use their devices, but then again, somehow all Apple products since the debut of the iPhone are crud, so something about the "technology coming to the user" philosophy must be crud too. Not sure exactly where it all goes wrong though. >_> Edited March 14, 2018 by JDTAY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBerel Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 But when they show everyone all the great things that the new Ataribox will do at the upcoming show, will it be running FearOS?? They would never just show off a plastic case and some software coming out of a computer behind a curtain would they??? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 As far as the Flashback Classics for the Switch, I guess that one is a given. I assume Code Mystics will do the porting, and AtGames will publish again. What does Atari do with this one... just allow the use of the mark and the logo? Atari is the primary publisher in this case, Code Mystics is the developer. AtGames handles the physical releases (among other things that I won't get into), while Atari handles the digital side. There are other upcoming releases in the series beyond Vol. 3 (not Atari-centered, but still Atari-published) and they'll follow a similar pattern of PS4/Xbox One first and Switch some time after. The upcoming Sega Genesis Classics actually has nothing to do with the AtGames/Atari series. They just happened to use our "Classics" designation. Since I assume it will be a quality product, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing since it shouldn't detract from the perception of our releases. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godslabrat Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Checking the earlier-referenced article re: the debut of the Ataribox, it looks like the following statement wasn't too far off from something I was theorising about earlier: "The Atari blockchain platform, online casino games using crypto-currencies are the very first stones of a unique construction, at the crossroads of Technology and Entertainment". I wasn't 100% correct, but was evidently close enough to get the gist of one of the things they're aiming for. But being right wasn't the point: trying to figure out which cockamamie directions Atariboxcorp, Inc. might try to take this thing was. They seem to be doing a fairly good job of figuring out exactly what those cockamamie directions are. But who needs a solid game plan when you've got buzzwords and social media? What this reminds me of most is the initial pitch for the Xbox One... it's about everything except video games. They want to sell you a system that completely serves them, and provides entertainment for the consumer as a byproduct... if even that. Microsoft had to roll that back in a hurry, and it still lost them an egregious chunk of market share. I can't be convinced that Atari's leaders are more intelligent than Microsoft's. If they announce the Taco with "Gambling, IoT, and Netflix Oh My" as a slogan, it will literally turn into feces right on stage. And Atari will not be able to dial it back as quickly as MS did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 On https://ataribox.com at the bottom, the two images in the center with the tv in view. And I posted one pages and pages ago, that was behind the camera, so to speak. Thanks for that. Shame it's not close ups. For all the public can see that is a solid block of nothing with wires plugged in for no reason but pictures. I assume that is what's going on in that pic anyhow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 What this reminds me of most is the initial pitch for the Xbox One... it's about everything except video games. They want to sell you a system that completely serves them, and provides entertainment for the consumer as a byproduct... if even that. Microsoft had to roll that back in a hurry, and it still lost them an egregious chunk of market share. I can't be convinced that Atari's leaders are more intelligent than Microsoft's. If they announce the Taco with "Gambling, IoT, and Netflix Oh My" as a slogan, it will literally turn into feces right on stage. And Atari will not be able to dial it back as quickly as MS did. Microsoft was trying to differentiate its new Xbox from the prior two Xboxen with new and exclusive features. I agree that it was a mistake to make the pitch more about television than about games, but it makes a certain amount of sense in hindsight. Microsoft's bar was higher: convince developers and consumers to support your massively mainstream console instead of Sony's massively mainstream console. Atari's pitch is more like, "convince people that you might not be a total joke and your thing might actually ship, regardless of whether people buy it." Relatively speaking, Atari Jaguar was way ahead of the game back in the early 1990s, and we know how that went. It was never a fair fight and it was a tad silly for "games journalists" to put the platform on the same stage as Sega, Sony, and Nintendo. It's more than a little silly to compare Atari SA with Microsoft's Xbox division. Uncle Fred's refurbished 2CV built with kit parts can't compete with Elon Musk's Tesla Model S either. To mix metaphors, they're not only not in the same league, they're not even playing the same game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godslabrat Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thanks for that. Shame it's not close ups. For all the public can see that is a solid block of nothing with wires plugged in for no reason but pictures. I assume that is what's going on in that pic anyhow. Considering that Atari is just ordering a variant of an off-the-shelf board, the prototype on a hardware level isn’t particularly challenging. It would be the software that they’d need to show off, and most of the comments made indicate they either don’t know what they’re doing on that front, or that it’s still very early in development. I don’t think this photo should be taken as anything other than a proof of concept illustration. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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