*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.
Mohandevir Dec 14, 2017
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: MohandevirYou 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!
TheRiddick Dec 14, 2017
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 December 2017 at 8:12 pm UTC
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!!!!
Quoting: immortelI'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 :)
Pause the campaign now it it really strange
Kuduzkehpan Dec 14, 2017
stretch611 Dec 14, 2017
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.
slaapliedje Dec 14, 2017
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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