Another Linux-based gaming system is coming, this time from Atari. The Ataribox [Official Site] will run on an AMD processor and it sounds quite interesting.
It will use an AMD customized processor, with Radeon Graphics technology. This likely means a proper CPU for a desktop and not an ARM chip like found in other devices. It runs Linux, but they will be customizing the interface as it's mainly aimed at using it like a console on a TV. Even so, they say it will give a "full PC experience for the TV". You will also apparently get full access to the underlying Linux system, so there might possibly be a proper Linux desktop included to achieve this.
It sounds like it's going to remain quite open too, as they say you will be able to access games purchased from other "content platforms" as long as it's Linux-compatible. So, it sounds like installing Steam will be possible for example.
It will come pre-loaded with classic Atari games too and even some current titles from a range of different studios. It will be interesting to see if these current titles are games already on Linux, or games they will get ported. If they are new ports, I hope they continue to be open with them and not do some kind of exclusive "Ataribox store" deal. They say we will learn more about the titles soon, so I will keep you updated.
It will launch on Indiegogo soon, they say "this fall". It might seem strange for a bigger company to go to crowdfunding, but they say this is because they want the community to be part of the launch. Honestly though, it's mainly so there's less risk involved for them, but it's also a good way for them to gauge real interest in it.
As for the proper launch, that will be in "late Spring 2018" with a price between $249-$299. That depends on what edition and configuration is purchased.
The wood edition, pictured above, is made with real wood. Now that I would love to sit next to my TV! That's a real unit, not a render.
This is something that could help push Linux gaming further. Especially if it really will be as open as they claim, it could help Linux gain even more support from developers. I don't want to overstate how well it will help though, since it's not going to be massively powerful. Even so, it's hard not to get excited about the possibilities here. Another big name pushing Linux gaming can only be a good thing for us.
While Valve's Steam Machines didn't do as much as some people hoped, it did open up Linux a lot more to game developers and we've now got thousands of games on Linux as a result of Steam coming to Linux and later the SteamOS announcement. Perhaps this small kick from Atari will help continue progress, but who knows.
What do you think to this? Exciting or not? I will likely grab one, the price seems good and it sounds like a fun platform. It also looks pretty awesome!
Update: For those curious if it's really real (there's been a few comments about it across our various social groups). Here's the press email, also the official Atari Twitter account even linked to it, as did the official Atari Facebook. On top of that, it seems the AMD CEO is excited by it.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
slaapliedje Sep 29, 2017
Quoting: Joeyboots80So it's not an android console or a clone? AMD and Radeon graphics?Very interesting.
Ha, this to me still seems like a Steam Machine marketed by Atari. I would say that Valve should just buy Atari for the IP, but then atari can release the third game, just not the fourth... (if you don't get that reference, please look up the most amazing video game contest ever, Swordquest!)
This whole thing certainly has nerds choosing sides. You have the bitter Atarians who cling onto their old machines of one era or another and saying that Atari isn't even the same (I kind of agree, they were dead since they merged with JTS in '96), then you have the ones who will buy anything with the Fuji. I am somewhere in the middle.
Depending on what the hardware specs are, how they plan to integrate Steam (or maybe they made a deal with GoG and this is their 'galaxy' interface?) And some of the presentation on the crowdfunding, I may get one. I will after for sure when they are generally available if they use Linux correctly (unlike Android).
Quoting: slaapliedjeI would say that Valve should just buy Atari for the IP
I'm not sure how much each brand is worth and how big is the nostalgia around it, but personally I would prefer for Valve to buy the Amiga brand and make it into something great. ;-) I'm not saying they should replace Steam Machines with NG Amigas, but maybe, just maybe, it would work to release a lot of Steam Machines under different brands, aiming at different demographics - Atari, Sega, Amiga etc. - each with custom branding but with Linux and Steam under the hood. It worked for Android, I don't see why it shouldn't work in console market. :-)
Quoting: pbQuoting: slaapliedjeI would say that Valve should just buy Atari for the IP
I'm not sure how much each brand is worth and how big is the nostalgia around it, but personally I would prefer for Valve to buy the Amiga brand and make it into something great. ;-) I'm not saying they should replace Steam Machines with NG Amigas, but maybe, just maybe, it would work to release a lot of Steam Machines under different brands, aiming at different demographics - Atari, Sega, Amiga etc. - each with custom branding but with Linux and Steam under the hood. It worked for Android, I don't see why it shouldn't work in console market. :-)
android have what consoles dont;
compatibility assurance.
you dont buy an asus phone only to realize that the apps you like are samsung only (unless you like the crapware that came embed to samsung phones)
if you have purchased something from google play, you can download it on any brand.
consoles cant do it, because they sell the hardware at a loss to make money with the royalites of the games during the first years, then start to make money on the cosole it self, when the costs of research/development are paid, the cost of the manufacture and individual pieces drop and the economy of scale of having an single procut, do the magic
wvstolzing Sep 29, 2017
slaapliedje Sep 30, 2017
Quoting: pbQuoting: slaapliedjeI would say that Valve should just buy Atari for the IP
I'm not sure how much each brand is worth and how big is the nostalgia around it, but personally I would prefer for Valve to buy the Amiga brand and make it into something great. ;-) I'm not saying they should replace Steam Machines with NG Amigas, but maybe, just maybe, it would work to release a lot of Steam Machines under different brands, aiming at different demographics - Atari, Sega, Amiga etc. - each with custom branding but with Linux and Steam under the hood. It worked for Android, I don't see why it shouldn't work in console market. :-)
Only problem with that logic is that Commodore and Amiga never really made Video Games, only hardware and all of their patents / IP have been completely plundered.
Quoting: slaapliedjeOnly problem with that logic is that Commodore and Amiga never really made Video Games, only hardware and all of their patents / IP have been completely plundered.
Sure, but Amiga was always associated with gaming as it had lots of great games and their quality was superior to pc at that time (e.g. parallax). My personal associations from '80-'90 are: PC = office work, Amiga = gaming and graphics editing, Atari = 8bit games and music editing. No idea, others may have different views.
Last edited by pb on 30 September 2017 at 2:39 am UTC
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/09/29/commodore-64-coming-back-c64-mini-released-next-year/
there is hope...
wvstolzing Sep 30, 2017
Quoting: elmapulspeaking of amiga:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/09/29/commodore-64-coming-back-c64-mini-released-next-year/
there is hope...
Is this the one that was on kickstarter last year? Unless they feature something like the 'SwinSID ultimate', these C64 'revivals' amount to cute little casing designs, and nothing more.
The C64 was never really a *good* gaming machine -- its strongest assets were the SID chip, and the possibilities it harbored for homebrew tinkering. I've come to realize only recently that games on the NES had WAY better playability, compared to what we had on the C64. So if there's to be a C64 revival, it should be in terms of 6502 (6510) hacking -- something akin to the new BBC Micro, and not really gaming nostalgia.
Quoting: wvstolzingThe C64 was never really a *good* gaming machine:O You take that back right now or we can't be friends anymore!
wvstolzing Sep 30, 2017
Quoting: tuubiQuoting: wvstolzingThe C64 was never really a *good* gaming machine:O You take that back right now or we can't be friends anymore!
I'm a huge C64 fan -- nevertheless, I think that there was only a handful of really good games on the platform.
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