What the hell guys? You're obviously describing a PC. Why not just turn this into an extensible virtual console (paremulated) which games can be developed for? That way you get all the characteristics of a hard console yet the only things to be physically developed would be a security mechanism (microcontroller dongle?) and the I/O interface.
What the....are you now discussing the definition of the word definition? We could try to interpret something more complex, like the bible, or my car insurance for that matter... Yeah I would like the MIPS links too. Anyway, check the Wiki. Not the gekko, but the 4300i is the standart of the N64 CPU, meaning I could get it, no prob. The Nec VR4300, thats different... Again, read the SIP Dunno, maybe, cuz some parts are just like :-(
I hate doing this but.. wiki says: he CPU powering Nintendo 64 is a MIPS R4300i-based NEC VR4300 <- this is wrong. If you go through some linux-porting websites, you will see that the 4300i is a derivative of the 4300 - but the i at the end sets it apart from the standard 4300. The MIPS page has been taken down , last time I checked it was 4 years ago. Similarly, the PSX CPU is called the 3000A, not just 3000. On the topic, I m with calpis in saying that we re looking basically at a PC with a nice shell. In the end, it's something anyone can make for themselves as a hobby, standardization on our part would just be a waste of money. The reason is that emulators are available freely for PCs, and a small-form computer under the tele isn't that hard to make if you can afford it. I see no reason why Joe Public would choose a "locked" and "consolized" version of a PC when its main intension is not to produce original games , like the XBOX for example.
Very true. Unfortuantely, without a bucketload of cash, such a project doesn't really seem particually viable. Now, who's up for building wireless controller for the Dreamcast?
Thats a problem.... I told you to read the SIP. Why? becos if you take a look at other shared SIP agreements you'll see that those slight differences in the model number of each chip may be due to who is making it. And since MIPS is, like ARM, is intellectual property licensing company, they dont make the chip themselves but license the manufacturing to anyone who wants the chip. I know the N64's VR4300 is a crippled 4300i cuz EDGE or some other mag had a big article on the subject like 10 years ago. But like your MIPS links, is going to be difficult to find that. On the topic, I m with calpis in saying that we re looking basically at a PC with a nice shell. In the end, it's something anyone can make for themselves as a hobby, standardization on our part would just be a waste of money. The reason is that emulators are available freely for PCs, and a small-form computer under the tele isn't that hard to make if you can afford it. THATS why I wanted to use a SH4, and not X86... Now thats a big waste of money...
well by using anything else other than a x86 you risk losing popularity and indirectly require a more difficult path for future developments on the platform. Although the backward and forward compatibility with PC software is an ideal feature, considering the multitudes of emulators etc, a PC-based system should additionally offer a "locked" content system, in order to push its own agenda of applications and games - besides the ones that are freely available. The question is whether the extra content, would be worth the price. The answer in short is that if it can be done with less than 100 dollars retail price, then fair enough. The development of exclusive original 2D titles for example would be an insentive for long-time retro fans, who will also choose the system for its free and 100% compatibility with existing console emulators (obviously not PSX or n64, since the emphasis is on 2D - but you can't lock that out either , because by definition it is a partially open system) So the final result would be a small-factored hybrid gaming box that is compatible with usual PC software (at the risk of the user) as well as a developer-friendly environment that would take advantage of the box's standard features and deliver box-exlusive content, just like consoles (this would obviousl need to be locked and secure somehow)
How so? A Dreamcast with wireless controllers and an ethernet port (if they ever go into production again) would be everything mentioned here. Thats why I had always envisioned an online 'marketplace' where only software approved could be downloaded from, preferrably on the system itself.
maybe using another OS instead of windows (i.e. a modified version of linux) you can have a locked enogh system to resemble a console and a easy environment for devvers..... and yes the ideal price should fall in the 75-100$... can ve reach that with a custom board+processor? it' unlikely, but if anyone finds something like that please post it! ps if you want to point at amiga enthusiasts you might go for AROS http://aros.sourceforge.net/ edited: URL
For legal\price reasons, Windows can't be used. It has to be an open source OS so that we can make sufficient customizations, such as a custom UI.
And what part of the market we represent? a 2%? or thats too much? Look, the reality is that we dont represent a sizable part of the market, plus you're suggesting to re-release a console that has a owner. This is not abandonware you know? and if SEGA sees theres a business oportunity in all this they wont give you permission to do so, they'll choose to release the new DC by themselves. Now that I think about it, a portable made using the SOC DC from Renesas and with the entire DC catalog on launch (or at least half of it) would kick the shit out of the DS and PSP. SEGA has the key to the portable market in their hands, too bad they lack the vision to do so now...
Oh ambiguity. I wasn't suggesting the DC go into production, I was saying if the broadband adaptor go into production (http://www.ncsx.org/2002/ncs082602/ncs0826.htm) but that message was 5 years ago and nothing's happened, but I bet some enthusiasts could do it themselves, the main chips just a Realtek NIC card, about as common as the common cold. Of course Sega would have a winner on their hands with a portable DC (using UMD-like discs or carts) but I fear they don't have the money or the drive\ability to do such a thing.
They dont lack the money and you can bet they dont lack the ability either (they were selling consoles for more than 20 years) the problem is that the current layout, thats is, being a 3rd partie, has resulted in some big profits for the company. And now that SEGA is owned by sammy you can bet they only care about profits... Anyway, UMD? dude if they slap an optical drive on that is going to be a bigass mistake, just like the PSP... With ROM prices today they could easily make 1GB carts, no sweat...
Hey, hey, hey! Don't put us in the same league as that...this idea is out of fond memories of old-school gaming while their's seemed to be an embezzling scheme. ;D The use of a Microsoft OS (XPe) would be a cost-prohibitive idea as it's ~$95/device (IIRC), once it's laid out using the SDK to tweak what you need it to do, to sell it as part of the device. Linux-embedded OS would be the way to go. As far as a Marketplace to purchase games, maybe not right away but would also be put together in parallel with the console. The use of updates to the software on it (ala Xbox 360 updates) could add this in at a future date. For cost, it would depend on how many would buy it, as discounts are given on parts at bulk rates. For example, DigiKey has tiered discounts based on the number of parts ordered (such as $xx/ea., $yy/ea. for 5 ordered, etc.).
People you say Linux / Linux, and I say great. I say FreeDOS, and you could say dualboot. How do you think of that ?
The thing is, if you're going to use a 32-bit CPU, why limit the OS to 16 bit? The reality of it is that one would want nothing more than the kernel and as few extensions/drivers as needed. Let the front-end handle the entertainment end of things...
FreeDOS-32 exists Really the OS should be as lightweight and as customizable as possible, and Linux is the one that fills that niche well. There are already bucketloads of emulators, interfaces, developers and drivesr out there, a shitload more than there are for DOS. Plus, Linux can and has been ported to every platform under the sun, and can be squeezed into the tiniest of places. Plus, Linux development is continuing, whereas DOS development is slow and has almost stopped. Plus using Linux means all the open source geeks will love us
