I'm quite unclear on just what's going on with the Linux-powered retro console, but the Ataribox [Official Site] is going up for limited pre-orders on December 14th.
Arriving in my inbox today direct from the folks running Ataribox was this announcement:
It's Time!
Ataribox will be available for pre-order on December 14th, 2017.You'll be the first to know before pre-orders go live.
Our team would like to offer our earliest supporters a chance to grab Ataribox at an exclusive discount, so keep an eye on that inbox.These deals will be extremely limited. We'll tell you everything you need to know to get the best deal soon.
Since they previously announced it would go to IndieGoGo this "fall", I'm going to assume that's what this is all about. With a wider release expected next year.
We still don't know enough about it, to really get a good idea of what it will actually have inside. We've seen the retro joystick they plan to include, we know it will have support for streaming video services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO and more as well.
What we don't know, is anything specific about the hardware and the actual software. We know it's Linux-powered, it will have access to the full Linux-OS inside and that it will use an AMD CPU, but they're still keeping very tight lipped about anything more specific.
We don't know what games it will support, apart from retro games and some apparent more current titles, again nothing has been confirmed though. There's so much we don't know about, that makes it hard to really feel excited about it yet. My initial excitement over it has faded given the lack of anything really concrete. Although, it should work with more traditional gamepads considering their plans to put newer games on it too, plus this image on their actual website shows someone using one:
One thing we can probably bet it on, is Wi-Fi built in. I couldn't imagine such a unit launching without it, for system updates and downloading games, since it will likely use an online store.
What are your thoughts on it? I would imagine when this limited pre-order campaign starts, that they will reveal more information. If they don't, alarm bells really will be ringing.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
cRaZy-bisCuiT Dec 11, 2017
QuoteWhat are your thoughts on it?We don't know anything about the software, we don't know anything about the hardware. My thoughts? Please give me some details!
9 Likes, Who?
Mohandevir Dec 11, 2017
Not going to pre-order for sure.
Just like you said, we don't know enough the be hyped. Anyway, I never pre-ordered anything and I'm not going to start with an unclear 300$ (?) console...
I will wait for the official release to have a better picture of what is being offered and it's potential.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 11 December 2017 at 4:10 pm UTC
Just like you said, we don't know enough the be hyped. Anyway, I never pre-ordered anything and I'm not going to start with an unclear 300$ (?) console...
I will wait for the official release to have a better picture of what is being offered and it's potential.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 11 December 2017 at 4:10 pm UTC
3 Likes, Who?
mulletdeath Dec 11, 2017
I might be interested for using this for my parents' TV for those propietary streaming services depending on the details, but I don't feel compelled to pre-order much of anything these days.
0 Likes
Kuduzkehpan Dec 11, 2017
It sounds like another steam machine but from atari. And i dont feel there is/are any developers for this console.
0 Likes
stretch611 Dec 11, 2017
Everything about this console has been hyped up. Yes t runs linux... yes it looks cool, but where is any substantial information. The fact that they are looking for pre-orders without any technical specs makes it sound like a money grab to me.
Does it have a kodi install? or steam support? what titles come with the emulator? These are just the minimum that anyone should know before ordering. Without answering this minimal set of questions makes it sound like vaporware, or that it won't live up to even a minimal level of hype. Anyone buying before these three questions are answered will surely get screwed.
Anyone that has any technical knowledge would like some actual specs on top of that. After all, they want to know how well the console will actually perform the job it claims to do.
You don't need much to run kodi... I have it running in 1080p resolution on a 10 year old AMD sempron 140 with only 2GB of RAM. It actually works well despite being one of the last single core processors..
Atari 2600 emulation can probably done with ease on a old generation phone. It predates the first IBM computer by 5-10 years... Stella (Atari emulator) has been around for over 20 years now and I do not think computing resources was ever a problem for it. A current gen processor could probably run a dozen iterations at the same time.
However, Steam support is the big issue that needs horsepower;if the system specs aren't up to the challenge, only the bare minimal set of games will work well. Even without steam. If they go with their own store, the will be a lack of native linux titles if they skimp on the processor or GPU.
All hype and no substance does not bode well if this has any chance of success.
Edit: typos
Last edited by stretch611 on 11 December 2017 at 4:41 pm UTC
Does it have a kodi install? or steam support? what titles come with the emulator? These are just the minimum that anyone should know before ordering. Without answering this minimal set of questions makes it sound like vaporware, or that it won't live up to even a minimal level of hype. Anyone buying before these three questions are answered will surely get screwed.
Anyone that has any technical knowledge would like some actual specs on top of that. After all, they want to know how well the console will actually perform the job it claims to do.
You don't need much to run kodi... I have it running in 1080p resolution on a 10 year old AMD sempron 140 with only 2GB of RAM. It actually works well despite being one of the last single core processors..
Atari 2600 emulation can probably done with ease on a old generation phone. It predates the first IBM computer by 5-10 years... Stella (Atari emulator) has been around for over 20 years now and I do not think computing resources was ever a problem for it. A current gen processor could probably run a dozen iterations at the same time.
However, Steam support is the big issue that needs horsepower;if the system specs aren't up to the challenge, only the bare minimal set of games will work well. Even without steam. If they go with their own store, the will be a lack of native linux titles if they skimp on the processor or GPU.
All hype and no substance does not bode well if this has any chance of success.
Edit: typos
Last edited by stretch611 on 11 December 2017 at 4:41 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
My thoughts? Seems a lot like a "we don't have money and we need beta testers, please hand us some money and do the beta testing" thing...
1 Likes, Who?
I will check it out, though if the specs aren't decent for a computer (mobile Ryzen with decent integrated graphics), I will not even consider this...
0 Likes
ElectricPrism Dec 11, 2017
Money in hand, but I'm not putting it into the box until I know
A ) What Hardware it has -- CPU, GPU, Storage (Is it SSD M.2, etc.. 5400rpm won't cut it for me.)
B ) What Games can it play Day 1.
C ) How easily can I play using my Xbox 1 / Dual Shock 4 / Steam Controller ( I Imagine I will hate the Joystick thing)
There's a market for a "plug and play linux gaming console", I heard that the Alienware Steam Machines were having technical issues overheating amongst other things which choked the market out, I hope this Atari doesn't have similar technical issues with that fanless design.
Last edited by ElectricPrism on 11 December 2017 at 6:06 pm UTC
A ) What Hardware it has -- CPU, GPU, Storage (Is it SSD M.2, etc.. 5400rpm won't cut it for me.)
B ) What Games can it play Day 1.
C ) How easily can I play using my Xbox 1 / Dual Shock 4 / Steam Controller ( I Imagine I will hate the Joystick thing)
There's a market for a "plug and play linux gaming console", I heard that the Alienware Steam Machines were having technical issues overheating amongst other things which choked the market out, I hope this Atari doesn't have similar technical issues with that fanless design.
Last edited by ElectricPrism on 11 December 2017 at 6:06 pm UTC
0 Likes
My thoughts: Another proprietary system without further access given back to the customers and users. Proprietary services inbound, proprietary firmware-blobs used for AMD, so what's the conclusion to "use" Linux for this? From my point of view ... not needed. There is "Retroarch" when it comes to emulation and a bunch of free emulators independent available.
1 Likes, Who?
QuoteThe new box will have an AMD custom processor with Radeon graphics. It will run the Linux operating system, with a user interface it’s customizing for TVs. Mac said that the machine will run PC games, but it will also be capable of doing streaming, running apps, browsing the web, and playing music. As far as games go, the machine will run the kind of games that a mid-range PC can do today, but it won’t run Triple-A games that require high-end PC performance.-> https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/25/ataribox-runs-linux-on-amd-chip-and-will-cost-at-least-249/
1 Likes, Who?
Not enough info. I like the idea. Let's see what the specs are. No chance of pre order as I don't know the company ( it's not the Atari of old ).
0 Likes
Here are some of my thoughts, and I've watched/listened to the video. It is quite long though, and I'm keen to get information quickly without having to sit through 30+ minutes of video.
I like what they're saying about openness. The various streaming clients is definitely nice to have. I like that they're keen on Linux tech. At approx 25 minutes, they mention having 100s of retro titles (I think from day one, i.e. coming free with the hardware). Unlike the current Linux emulation of retro titles, where the copying and using of arcade ROMs is on dodgy ground legally, I'm assuming that all the titles on here will be legit.
I suspect from the size of the box, that it is unlikely to cope with high-end gaming. Those games need top end processors with big cooling fans, and even bigger graphics cards with bigger cooling fans. Saying that, a medium spec system would still manage to play games like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim or DOOM (at no more than 1080P).
Which leads me on to something positive. If the Nintendo Switch is "big enough" to get DOOM and Skyrim ported to it. Then if a popular name like Atari manages to pull this off as a big hit - Then Skyrim, DOOM could be ported to Atari Box... and who knows, maybe regular Linux will eventually get titles like that.
Generally this will be good news for Linux I feel. Games publishers would release to Atari Box, which is based on Linux, and this is going to encourage them to release their game to native Linux as well. Might as well... It's Linux too... we've already done all the hard work.
One thing that I'm not clear on yet - Is this Atari Box going to run regular Linux Steam client (at all)? I'm assuming it likely will do, but if it ends up that it doesn't then this box isn't going to be anywhere near as appealing as it could be (to the typical Windows gamer).
Also noting that the Nintendo Switch came out at a similar price value, and that hasn't really deterred sales of that console. Atari does have a good chance, and thumbs up that this'll be good news for Linux gaming generally.
Last edited by g000h on 12 December 2017 at 12:34 am UTC
I like what they're saying about openness. The various streaming clients is definitely nice to have. I like that they're keen on Linux tech. At approx 25 minutes, they mention having 100s of retro titles (I think from day one, i.e. coming free with the hardware). Unlike the current Linux emulation of retro titles, where the copying and using of arcade ROMs is on dodgy ground legally, I'm assuming that all the titles on here will be legit.
I suspect from the size of the box, that it is unlikely to cope with high-end gaming. Those games need top end processors with big cooling fans, and even bigger graphics cards with bigger cooling fans. Saying that, a medium spec system would still manage to play games like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim or DOOM (at no more than 1080P).
Which leads me on to something positive. If the Nintendo Switch is "big enough" to get DOOM and Skyrim ported to it. Then if a popular name like Atari manages to pull this off as a big hit - Then Skyrim, DOOM could be ported to Atari Box... and who knows, maybe regular Linux will eventually get titles like that.
Generally this will be good news for Linux I feel. Games publishers would release to Atari Box, which is based on Linux, and this is going to encourage them to release their game to native Linux as well. Might as well... It's Linux too... we've already done all the hard work.
One thing that I'm not clear on yet - Is this Atari Box going to run regular Linux Steam client (at all)? I'm assuming it likely will do, but if it ends up that it doesn't then this box isn't going to be anywhere near as appealing as it could be (to the typical Windows gamer).
Also noting that the Nintendo Switch came out at a similar price value, and that hasn't really deterred sales of that console. Atari does have a good chance, and thumbs up that this'll be good news for Linux gaming generally.
Last edited by g000h on 12 December 2017 at 12:34 am UTC
6 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Dec 12, 2017
To be fair, my Jaguar+JagCD cost 310 back when I got it new. That was just over 20 years ago. If you go by what they said in the interview, it'll be 'Open' so in theory we could wipe whatever it comes with and just stick whatever we want on it. Hopefully they at least try to pack some value into it, to try to get people to not do that, otherwise it just may become another little streaming box for most (game streaming could be nicer than the Steam Link, for example.)
0 Likes
Is it really $300? I haven't seen the price posted. If that's true, that's too much based off the spit of info we have. To me, it sounds like it's only powerful enough to play old pixel games. If that's the case, it should be more like $100 for the convenience package and good looks. Otherwise, I'll just hook up a $100 computer from Craigslist to my TV.
0 Likes
Quoting: g000hIf the Nintendo Switch is "big enough" to get DOOM and Skyrim ported to it. Then if a popular name like Atari manages to pull this off as a big hit - Then Skyrim, DOOM could be ported to Atari Box... and who knows, maybe regular Linux will eventually get titles like that.TBF Nintendo is still huge. Atari's brand alone won't do much here, and popularity doesn't mean anything if it isn't backed by the market. I doubt Bethesda bases their business decisions on hype or nostalgia.
I'm not trying to sound negative, I really hope Atari's gambit succeeds. And of the consoles, Nintendo's slice of the pie is the one an affordable "indie box" might actually take a bite out of.
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: g000h...
Which leads me on to something positive. If the Nintendo Switch is "big enough" to get DOOM and Skyrim ported to it. Then if a popular name like Atari manages to pull this off as a big hit - Then Skyrim, DOOM could be ported to Atari Box... and who knows, maybe regular Linux will eventually get titles like that.
...
Hate to be negative (well, not really, since we're talking about atari), but the Switch sold in enough numbers to pass the entire linux market share within a single month. By now, not even a year from release, the switch install base is well over 10 times as large. Additionally, many switch users seem to have money to burn; many of them are buying ports at prices as high as double those in competing platforms (steam, xbox ps4).
No way in hell can atari match that with what is, essentially, a conventional console. Even if they hadn't flushed their name down the toilet with such gems as roller coaster tycoon 4 mobile and alone in the dark illumination this would have been a tall order.
Last edited by emphy on 12 December 2017 at 10:22 am UTC
0 Likes
If it will be as closed source as Sony's Playstation, it would rather harm steamos/linux adoption. Playstation doesn't even support Vulkan.-
0 Likes
doomwarriorx Dec 12, 2017
I have no idea but if I would have to build a box for 300$ using an AMD APU. I would try to build something like this:
http://rhomb.io/shop/hyperion 45€ -> Mainboard with USB, Wifi, Bluetooth for Wireless controllers, USB for more controller ;-)
http://rhomb.io/shop/amd-rx-421bd 192€ -> AMD RX-421BD 4 Core 2,1Ghz with 512 Shader GCN 1.2 graphic card
8GB DDR RAM 70€
Casing 20€
32GB SD-Card Class 10 20€
---> 347€ Raw price
Minus bulk discount (for buying 5000 units) of lets say 25%
---> ~260€
seems to be too tight. The stuff has to be manufactured, boxed and they want to make some revenue. Wouldn't expect too much. But I think it will be an R-Series APU it is sold for this niche.
http://rhomb.io/shop/hyperion 45€ -> Mainboard with USB, Wifi, Bluetooth for Wireless controllers, USB for more controller ;-)
http://rhomb.io/shop/amd-rx-421bd 192€ -> AMD RX-421BD 4 Core 2,1Ghz with 512 Shader GCN 1.2 graphic card
8GB DDR RAM 70€
Casing 20€
32GB SD-Card Class 10 20€
---> 347€ Raw price
Minus bulk discount (for buying 5000 units) of lets say 25%
---> ~260€
seems to be too tight. The stuff has to be manufactured, boxed and they want to make some revenue. Wouldn't expect too much. But I think it will be an R-Series APU it is sold for this niche.
0 Likes
slaapliedje Dec 12, 2017
Quoting: 14Is it really $300? I haven't seen the price posted. If that's true, that's too much based off the spit of info we have. To me, it sounds like it's only powerful enough to play old pixel games. If that's the case, it should be more like $100 for the convenience package and good looks. Otherwise, I'll just hook up a $100 computer from Craigslist to my TV.
I think they hinted that the 'wood grain' version (with real wood!) was going to be the $300 model. And yeah, it's an AMD based system. Could be around the same spec as the PS4. Who knows until they announce it though.
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