I was just making a a point about "thinking out of the norm", I wasn't making an analogy of any sort.
Yeah I guess ASUS, MSI and others are loosing big time with the spare PC parts, no doubt... What I meant is that we should focus on the OS since anyone can get a C7 board, but if you read carefully you'll understand my point. Thats is, that without a "normal" strategy this idea is going no where. The PC is an "open console", and therefore nobody can compete with that...
I woudn't say open source per se, but rather developer friendly (in costs and development environment). Open source implies that source code would be available to all, and not all devs would want to, though I'd leave that option up to them. Which brings up another nagging issue: licensing system. How will software (games) be handled? Also, what about dev software licensing? Would the dev software be all open source? Proprietary? Mixed bag? Anything else I'm missing...
My personal idea was an Xbox Live Marketplace-esque site\app that could be run from the device itself. Developers make game, some "comittee" decides if it's bug-free enough, and its uploaded to said site above. Linux\FreeDOS is open source, you make the game any way you want, if it works, it goes on the site. BTW, the idea of an open source, easy to use, integrated OS for gaming on PCs is something that seems very appealing, like MythTV, but for games. It definately seems like a more viable alternative to actually building the hardware it runs on.
Don't be dense. My point was that what you were proposing was nothing more than selling people parts made by other companies. To be honest, that's all you can do currently, since you've got no money or expertise. The title of the thread was "Modern 2D Console" not "let's start up business being a PC parts reseller". So, where are these coders coming from, eh? Maybe you're coding an entire modern OS by yourself. Quite.
Funny you mention that since it would be easier to port a small embedded OS (say QNX) and make some developer tools than actually making a sizable amount of AAA 2D games, which BTW is the point of this whole project. And about making kits, again what you think barebones systems are? we would sell the case (with a screen and buttons if it is a portable) and people put the ITX parts inside. And surprise surprise! most electronic products have parts made by OTHER companies!
What you're proposing isn't a "modern 2D console" any more than the tower I'm using to type this. You're talking about making PCs, being a systems reseller; that's not exactly a revolutionary idea. Oh, and Shadowlayer: Next time, maybe you'd like to answer the question. So far I see nobody stepping in to help you, and chances are they won't unless you have some money. How are those investors, by the way? Giving over the millions yet?
Kinda nowhere since theres no company nor investment plan, so unless theres an investor from the future coming in a Delorean right now I think there wont be any money unless the whole idea steps out of the concept realm... To be honest, with the new wave of influx in web 2.0 companies we could get a lot of hype (HYPE, not money) around the project of this 2D console used games downloaded from a iTMS-like service.
Yeah I know that story, but the cocaine one is better... Anyway, I meant the "back to the future" delorean.
Well if theres anyone left that stills has some interest in this project, heres a little reason to continue: the new mobile ITX But that doesnt mean its underpowered no sir: It has a 1GHz C7-S CPU with a reduced CX700 north and south-bridge chipset. It will come with 256MB or 512MB of soldered RAM and even a CDMA processor. They plan to make X86 smartphones (think XP and Vista intead of Mobile) and really small UMPCs, like the OQO2 and even smaller. If any of you wanted a reason to continue, this is it.
arg, a via chipset! Who want via chipset for a stable system? joke appart, Its crazy how far goes the tech for computer-looking systems... I really wonder how good could be a REAL new 2d VDP hooked on a REAL cpu and a REAL simple I/O port and a REAL RAM with noadays best technologies... Certainely something stronger than anything else in processing speed and display power. Supa small and supa reliable. In other words : I'm quite sad that any system now is just a PC clone with a blabla south and north bridge, uber slow ram access and all the shit around, of course, i know the reasons why
I think this is the bit where we all scratch our heads and go back to dreaming about how awesome Sonic 2 would be in widescreen 1080p at 60 fps connected with a flawless HDMI connection with a remixed 5.1 mix of the original soundtrack with real instruments. Mmmmm...
Exactly that is why I revived the thread, since the thread still has some serious good potential. How many does think of my idea when it comes to the modern 2D console with all that matters ? when it comes to the components I have mentioned.
Sonic can wait. What we really need is some high def Donkey Kong country. Just imagine that, HD. From here: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7975
Modern 2D console = PC + USB controller interface. Just look at all the recent arcade systems which are exactly that since it's the most logical choice. PCs are the most capable, the most flexible, and you probably already have one. Once you have a marketable game, then start thinking about customizing your hardware.
