*sniff* do you smell that? It has a certain fishy aroma to it. The Ataribox [Official Site] IndieGoGo launch is now 'officially paused'.
It was only a few days ago, that we reported about the Ataribox pre-order campaign date and it has been delayed already. It's not surprising, since they had given out so few details about the unit that it became more than a little concerning. It's even more concerning now that it's suddenly 'paused' before it even began.
Here's what the official update sent to my inbox said:
The countdown to the Ataribox launch on IndieGoGo has been officially paused. Because of one key element on our checklist, it is taking more time to create the platform and ecosystem the Atari community deserves. Building Ataribox is incredibly important to us and we will do whatever it takes to be sure it is worth the wait.
An updated launch plan is underway and more detailed information will be available soon.
We will be keeping you, our community, informed every step of the way. Thank you again for your support of Ataribox.
It will be very surprising if it ever appears again. A shame though, it could have been an interesting unit. We will keep you informed if we hear anything else, especially if this 'updated launch plan' actually materialises.
I don't mean to be too negative, as the possibilities are exciting to a tech and Linux enthusiast like myself. The problem is how everything is still so secret. We know hardly anything about the device, apart from the few details they've let trickle out.
If it does actually come out, I will be quite pleased and I will likely grab one to play with and review. I hope it's just a case of letting the entire project bake a little longer, to get more games ready and to polish the user experience. Delays aren't always a bad thing, so we will just have to wait and see.
If any Atari reps read this, get in touch.
Article updated after publishing with more thoughts.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Mohandevir 14 Dec 2017
"It will be very surprising if it ever appears again."
You have obviously much more experience about this kind of stuff than I do, but I'm curious to know why you think we will never hear about it again?
You have obviously much more experience about this kind of stuff than I do, but I'm curious to know why you think we will never hear about it again?
5 Likes, Who?
I wouldn't paint that too black.
(While I'm not exited about the device. I expect it to be cheap hardware able to run, what it is made for: Very old games.)
(While I'm not exited about the device. I expect it to be cheap hardware able to run, what it is made for: Very old games.)
1 Likes, Who?
The title is slightly misleading. It's the launch countdown that was paused, not the project itself.
4 Likes, Who?
Maybe they just want some more time to finish cute a gnome extension ? Or worse, they have a driver problem (AMD...) ? Or they just want a stronger hardware to play modern games. We don't know anything about the chip / board they are building on... *sob* Let's wait :-(
0 Likes
I like how on their press page is a quote from GOL: "Hard not to get excited about the possibilities".We....got recognised? Oh my. They might regret linking to us a bit now though...
They just wanted to make it easier not to get excited.
Seriously though, this kind of "pause" is most definitely not a good sign, especially with only a hand-wavy reason given.
"It will be very surprising if it ever appears again."It has happened before with plenty of other devices, not necessarily Linux-specific though. I've seen very similar things happen over and over again.
You have obviously much more experience about this kind of stuff than I do, but I'm curious to know why you think we will never hear about it again?
The title is slightly misleading. It's the launch countdown that was paused, not the project itself.Correct, I've adjusted the title to ensure it's clear. Wasn't my intention to mislead of course :)
2 Likes, Who?
PlutonMaster 14 Dec 2017
I wait the reviews about this device.
I have Raspberry Pi with Retropie including all Atari games in it.
I have Raspberry Pi with Retropie including all Atari games in it.
0 Likes
Mohandevir 14 Dec 2017
"It will be very surprising if it ever appears again."It has happened before with plenty of other devices, not necessarily Linux-specific though. I've seen very similar things happen over and over again.
You have obviously much more experience about this kind of stuff than I do, but I'm curious to know why you think we will never hear about it again?
I was hoping for a last minute & new brilliant idea that forced them to reconsider... You are breaking my illusions Liam! ;)
Thanks for the input.
0 Likes
slaapliedje 14 Dec 2017
For what it's worth, the one guy over on AtariAge who said he was working with the AtariBox people said that he is no longer working with them and that it had something to do with some accessory they couldn't get working.
Not sure that is actually worth anything. He also said he'd be working on the Gameband instead. Which has been delayed over and over again, something about trying to get a water resistant rating and the USB-C port not fitting the design well enough.
Not sure that is actually worth anything. He also said he'd be working on the Gameband instead. Which has been delayed over and over again, something about trying to get a water resistant rating and the USB-C port not fitting the design well enough.
1 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man 14 Dec 2017
My guess is they ran out of money, and opening it up for pre-orders was their last-gasp effort to raise some capital to finish the project.
0 Likes
You have obviously much more experience about this kind of stuff than I do, but I'm curious to know why you think we will never hear about it again?
Releasing hardware is just hard. Tons of things can go wrong and if they aren't releasing it and not telling what's going on - you can suspect they have some serious setbacks.
2 Likes, Who?
Mohandevir 14 Dec 2017
You have obviously much more experience about this kind of stuff than I do, but I'm curious to know why you think we will never hear about it again?
Releasing hardware is just hard. Tons of things can go wrong and if they aren't releasing it and not telling what's going on - you can suspect they have some serious setbacks.
Is Valve involved? It feels like Valve time... Remember Steam Machines / Steam Controller delays? Lol!
1 Likes, Who?
Thought it used a custom SOC from AMD ? Not the sort of thing you order, have built and then just cancel.
2 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick 14 Dec 2017
Maybe their waiting for Kernel 4.16 or something. When it comes to AMD hardware, anyone running anything other then 4.15+ is going to bleed tears unless they have a beast of a videocard to compensate for the huge losses.
I'm not too salty about a delay, even if its 6months. At least they know there is a issue and aren't just pushing a product out the door to cash in on the clueless plebs who buy in without fully researching it (many do this).
Last edited by TheRiddick on 14 Dec 2017 at 8:12 pm UTC
I'm not too salty about a delay, even if its 6months. At least they know there is a issue and aren't just pushing a product out the door to cash in on the clueless plebs who buy in without fully researching it (many do this).
Last edited by TheRiddick on 14 Dec 2017 at 8:12 pm UTC
0 Likes
I'm really surprised by this article. I'm used to a positive Liam.
Since the Atari 2600, I've played few of their games and never been amazed by the quality they put into it.
I really hope they make some great of that Atari Box. It's the kind of project that could make them shine again and give a better view to Linux.
Still crossing my fingers!!!!
Since the Atari 2600, I've played few of their games and never been amazed by the quality they put into it.
I really hope they make some great of that Atari Box. It's the kind of project that could make them shine again and give a better view to Linux.
Still crossing my fingers!!!!
0 Likes
I'm really surprised by this article. I'm used to a positive Liam.I have to be realistic, I refuse to sugar coat and talk about everything as if it's the best thing since sliced bread. Some things need to be talked about rather frankly. This may surprise or upset some, but I do consider myself to be a realist, not a die-hard zealot of everything that comes with Linux.
Let's just see what happens :)
1 Likes, Who?
If they have the prototype ready, they can launch already on IndieGogo. It doesnt need to be working 100% now since they would have time to prepare the final version.
Pause the campaign now it it really strange
Pause the campaign now it it really strange
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Kuduzkehpan 14 Dec 2017
they just officially tell what im aware of. Linux os not enough for a gaming device unless you have a developer(s) unless you have a gaming hardware ecosystem for linux. I guess they just realise that. But the project not easy to fall. Its linux how evoluates and becomes something.
0 Likes
stretch611 14 Dec 2017
This console had great potential. It wan't for the "newest gen console only" people or the AAA crowd. It was obviously geared for the "let me enjoy a quick game after dinner" crowd. It had potential to sell to many people including casual gamers... especially casual gamers.
It also appeals to the nostalgia crowd, even the people that never had the old Atari 2600. The Atari 2600 crowd is essentially 45+ years of age (give or take a few years.) Its huge and people remember those old games. Even though they are quite archaic now, nostalgia makes buyers out of people. Even those younger than 40, would be affected. Some may have had an old Atari around, but even those that didn't would have heard of it. Even they would be potential buyers.
The market is there.
This would have been a huge boon to linux if it works. (assuming it can still happen.) If this console gets released and goes critical mass, that would be a flood of potential linux gamers entering the market. Why we all have our reasons for using linux and why we prefer it, but, we all know, huge numbers (for better or worse) is what would bring more major publishers to the linux platform.
That being said, in prior articles here on GoL, we have mentioned how lacking the information on this console has been. There have been snippets and previews here and there, but no real facts. This has been troubling. When creating a project of this size and magnitude, you need to have plans and get specifications to manufacturers months in advance of release. The lack of specifics makes me question how far along they really are.
As much as I hope this project gets by its troubles and rises to its potential, my pragmatic side thinks it will be vaporware. I hope to be proven wrong.
It also appeals to the nostalgia crowd, even the people that never had the old Atari 2600. The Atari 2600 crowd is essentially 45+ years of age (give or take a few years.) Its huge and people remember those old games. Even though they are quite archaic now, nostalgia makes buyers out of people. Even those younger than 40, would be affected. Some may have had an old Atari around, but even those that didn't would have heard of it. Even they would be potential buyers.
The market is there.
This would have been a huge boon to linux if it works. (assuming it can still happen.) If this console gets released and goes critical mass, that would be a flood of potential linux gamers entering the market. Why we all have our reasons for using linux and why we prefer it, but, we all know, huge numbers (for better or worse) is what would bring more major publishers to the linux platform.
That being said, in prior articles here on GoL, we have mentioned how lacking the information on this console has been. There have been snippets and previews here and there, but no real facts. This has been troubling. When creating a project of this size and magnitude, you need to have plans and get specifications to manufacturers months in advance of release. The lack of specifics makes me question how far along they really are.
As much as I hope this project gets by its troubles and rises to its potential, my pragmatic side thinks it will be vaporware. I hope to be proven wrong.
0 Likes
slaapliedje 14 Dec 2017
Except they never opened it up for taking orders at all. Many people thought they never had any money to begin with.
My whole thinking is... did they actually have a prototype? Did they finally take some advice and decide to do the funding launch sometime in the spring so that they aren't asking for 250-300 RIGHT before Christmas for something people wouldn't have in their hands until MAYBE August of next year?
Who knows, but some pages said they've postponed it 'indefinitely' while the email said 'paused'.
My whole thinking is... did they actually have a prototype? Did they finally take some advice and decide to do the funding launch sometime in the spring so that they aren't asking for 250-300 RIGHT before Christmas for something people wouldn't have in their hands until MAYBE August of next year?
Who knows, but some pages said they've postponed it 'indefinitely' while the email said 'paused'.
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