After the crowdfunding campaign with lots of delays, more delays, a lawsuit and so on the Atari VCS will finally be released into stores (at least in the US) on June 15.
What Atari call a "console/PC hybrid" it runs a Linux-based operating system by default, with the option to use the PC Mode feature to run whatever other operating system you want. So you could turn it into a more traditional desktop-Linux based system if you wanted to.
Ports to the Atari VCS are also incredibly close to standard Linux desktop builds too. In fact, we've already seen the likes of Danger Scavenger and Jetboard Joust release on Steam for Linux after having a VCS build (along with others being available on Steam for Linux first, and then going to the VCS like Something Ate My Alien).
Atari said in their press release to expect new titles throughout the year, along with "free access to 100 arcade and Atari 2600 classics" and "free access to Antstream Arcade, the popular game streaming platform, which offers on-demand access to the world's largest collection of licensed retro titles".
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There's also Google Chrome built-in, along with a mobile companion application for controlling Chrome and other apps with a virtual mouse and keyboard. They also mentioned it enabling access to all other streaming services like Stadia and more.
Purchase options for the Atari VCS will be made available on June 15, 2021 via Best Buy, GameStop, Micro Center, and the official Atari VCS website and there will be special "unique launch-day promotions" from each. Launch day pricing will be $299.99 USD for the Atari VCS Onyx Base system, with the Atari VCS Black Walnut and Onyx All-In system bundles (which include the classic and modern controllers) will be available for $399.99 USD.
Specifications - based on what Atari provide:
| Operating system | Atari Custom Linux OS (Debian based) |
| APU | AMD Raven Ridge 2 (RG1606G) |
| GPU | AMD Ryzen |
| Storage | 32GB eMMC fixed internal; internal M.2 SSD slot; unlimited external USB HD/stick; cloud (subscription required) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM (upgradable) |
| Compatible Systems | Linux, Windows, Steam OS, Chrome OS |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4/5GHz, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ports | HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 4x USB 3.1 USB: 2x front, 2x rear |
| Dimensions | 11.6" x 5.9" x 1.9" (Approx.) |
See more on the Atari VCS website.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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slaapliedje Jun 9, 2022
Quoting: sarmadKind of hard to tell how well it's selling. I guess I could ask on their Discord.Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: sarmadYup, new games are steadily being released (see above post about 7800 drops). The Recharged series are being released cross platform, but the VCS versions have some extra stuff to them.Quoting: catbox_fuguefunny how after this thing released with a linux OS
it entirely disappeared from comments and reviews
what happened? a year with no GOL news?
sure... its atari, cant be trusted
Glad you raised the question, I was wondering what's happening with the VCS. Is it still selling? Are there new updates and game releases going out for it?
https://atariage.com/forums/topic/315539-complete-list-of-games-released-in-the-new-vcs-store/
Nice. Any idea how it's selling? Does it seem like it's going to be a successful business? I wish their games store is available in a web form so we can access it from any browser.
I agree, it actually is something that irritates me, their store on the machine is rather... crap. They don't have a 'cart' yet, so you can't buy more than one game at a time. Since I don't trust anyone with my CC, I use a service that will randomly generate a card for you and you can set monthly limits. There are a huge number of nitwits who continually bash the system and say there is no point and you may as well buy a Raspberry Pi... forgetting the fact that it's impossible to get an RPi that is upgradable at all, let alone to 32gb of RAM.
It has pretty decent performance, which you can tweak once you unlock the bios. But for the most part it's just a mini computer with a very stylish case. It's what the Steam Machines should have been.
There have been some crazy sales on it, which the 'haters' insisted was because they're being dumped before discontinued. But so far Atari has actually held up all of their promises (eventually). It is indeed a 'streaming' machine, as you can get xbox game pass, Geforce Now (something I don't think even the Deck officially has yet?) and Stadia, etc.
It's too bad Liam didn't get a hold of one, as it's definitely a 'Linux Game Console' at heart.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: sarmadKind of hard to tell how well it's selling. I guess I could ask on their Discord.Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: sarmadYup, new games are steadily being released (see above post about 7800 drops). The Recharged series are being released cross platform, but the VCS versions have some extra stuff to them.Quoting: catbox_fuguefunny how after this thing released with a linux OS
it entirely disappeared from comments and reviews
what happened? a year with no GOL news?
sure... its atari, cant be trusted
Glad you raised the question, I was wondering what's happening with the VCS. Is it still selling? Are there new updates and game releases going out for it?
https://atariage.com/forums/topic/315539-complete-list-of-games-released-in-the-new-vcs-store/
Nice. Any idea how it's selling? Does it seem like it's going to be a successful business? I wish their games store is available in a web form so we can access it from any browser.
I agree, it actually is something that irritates me, their store on the machine is rather... crap. They don't have a 'cart' yet, so you can't buy more than one game at a time. Since I don't trust anyone with my CC, I use a service that will randomly generate a card for you and you can set monthly limits. There are a huge number of nitwits who continually bash the system and say there is no point and you may as well buy a Raspberry Pi... forgetting the fact that it's impossible to get an RPi that is upgradable at all, let alone to 32gb of RAM.
It has pretty decent performance, which you can tweak once you unlock the bios. But for the most part it's just a mini computer with a very stylish case. It's what the Steam Machines should have been.
There have been some crazy sales on it, which the 'haters' insisted was because they're being dumped before discontinued. But so far Atari has actually held up all of their promises (eventually). It is indeed a 'streaming' machine, as you can get xbox game pass, Geforce Now (something I don't think even the Deck officially has yet?) and Stadia, etc.
It's too bad Liam didn't get a hold of one, as it's definitely a 'Linux Game Console' at heart.
I guess it's a very small company, so the shortcomings on the software side is kinda expected, but I think they seriously should make their store available on the web even if it's only for listing what's on the system without actually being able to buy anything through the website.
I think at this point they just need to survive. If they do they can come up with a new iteration that is more powerful and can improve their software situation a bit.
Can you run Steam on their OS without installing a different distro? Also, how compatible is their OS with regular Linux distros, can you for example somehow copy an AppImage and have it run on their OS?
1 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Jun 9, 2022
Quoting: sarmadThe launcher in their OS basically uses .desktop files. The games installed on there are basically AppImages (if I recall they're called .bundle, though maybe that is just the folder... ) you can copy them off and onto a Linux distro and they just work.Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: sarmadKind of hard to tell how well it's selling. I guess I could ask on their Discord.Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: sarmadYup, new games are steadily being released (see above post about 7800 drops). The Recharged series are being released cross platform, but the VCS versions have some extra stuff to them.Quoting: catbox_fuguefunny how after this thing released with a linux OS
it entirely disappeared from comments and reviews
what happened? a year with no GOL news?
sure... its atari, cant be trusted
Glad you raised the question, I was wondering what's happening with the VCS. Is it still selling? Are there new updates and game releases going out for it?
https://atariage.com/forums/topic/315539-complete-list-of-games-released-in-the-new-vcs-store/
Nice. Any idea how it's selling? Does it seem like it's going to be a successful business? I wish their games store is available in a web form so we can access it from any browser.
I agree, it actually is something that irritates me, their store on the machine is rather... crap. They don't have a 'cart' yet, so you can't buy more than one game at a time. Since I don't trust anyone with my CC, I use a service that will randomly generate a card for you and you can set monthly limits. There are a huge number of nitwits who continually bash the system and say there is no point and you may as well buy a Raspberry Pi... forgetting the fact that it's impossible to get an RPi that is upgradable at all, let alone to 32gb of RAM.
It has pretty decent performance, which you can tweak once you unlock the bios. But for the most part it's just a mini computer with a very stylish case. It's what the Steam Machines should have been.
There have been some crazy sales on it, which the 'haters' insisted was because they're being dumped before discontinued. But so far Atari has actually held up all of their promises (eventually). It is indeed a 'streaming' machine, as you can get xbox game pass, Geforce Now (something I don't think even the Deck officially has yet?) and Stadia, etc.
It's too bad Liam didn't get a hold of one, as it's definitely a 'Linux Game Console' at heart.
I guess it's a very small company, so the shortcomings on the software side is kinda expected, but I think they seriously should make their store available on the web even if it's only for listing what's on the system without actually being able to buy anything through the website.
I think at this point they just need to survive. If they do they can come up with a new iteration that is more powerful and can improve their software situation a bit.
Can you run Steam on their OS without installing a different distro? Also, how compatible is their OS with regular Linux distros, can you for example somehow copy an AppImage and have it run on their OS?
No Steam, though I want to say the Steam Link app is available for it? I'd have to look again. Mind you, even if you could install Steam, you only have ~30gb of space to play with, unless you add more storage. You can use a USB drive though. Internally you just slap in a m.2 SATA SSD and if you install Linux, the AtariOS can also use it for extra storage if need be. I dual-boot mine with Debian as it's one of the few that work without disabling secureboot.
3 Likes, Who?
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