Retro VGS Game Console

[NightWolve]

I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out how this could possibly have got even weirder
than before.

The true visionary behind this project is Mike Kennedy. He’s also a marketing person with a big heart, and he wants to reciprocate the enthusiasm our followers show us by being totally open and sharing everything. I get it, and I admire him for that. But he talks, and he talks about everything I show or tell him. Again, he’s a marketing person, and that’s what marketing people do.

Knowing this about Mike (and about marketing people in general), causes me (as an engineer) to be very cautious in choosing what I share with him. The reason for this is very simple: our inventions are valuable, and premature public disclosure of our inventions would cause us to lose the ability to protect them with patents.
For most of this year I’ve been working crazy long startup hours on this project. I’ve drained my own savings to pay for both my living expenses and building prototype circuits. I have invested a lot of time and money, I have a lot to show for it.

The problem is: I can’t patent what I share publicly. As a result, I’ve been protecting my inventions as if they were my own children.

RETRO VGS first quick demo

Now their tech guy is claiming that there is a prototype, but he's not told his "boss" because he's afraid that it would spoil his ability to patent all the new inventions ... that he's already started to patent ... without telling his boss ... and so presumably by himself ... meanwhile leaving his partners flapping in the wind for a week with a failing crowdfunding campaign.

What a f**king great guy to go into business with!

Apart from which ... what the heck is patentable!!!! All that he's got to show is basically a Raspberry PI stuffed under a Jag-Wire shell, running X-Windows ... or maybe even less!!!!

I just don't know how to deal with this particular level of crazy sh*t!!!!     

FYI folks, but these Retro VGS guys attempted to deny us the experience to occasionally go back and enjoy their embarrassing "working prototype" demo video! That's right, they deleted it (those bastards!) which invalidated elmer's original link above and would've denied the future the full retro experience of this event, BUT, someone else saw this unjust attempt to deny the lulz our beloved Internet so craves and thwarted it! Having captured it when it was live, he was able to reupload it to his own account along with a brief intro to provide some context to the great debacle that is the now Retro VGS. The Internet applauds his efforts!

Oh, and before watching, if you're not up-to-speed about how "premature" ejaculation disclosure could lead to a loss of patent rights and why the Retro VGS team was a bit "shy" with revelations of tech specs earlier on, a quick web search should bring you up to speed on this matter... 

With that said, presenting, once again, the not-so-great John Carlsen:

Another interesting video on Retro VGS from the same reviewer that has followed it since its inception. He made some interesting points about Mike Kennedy's "Retro Land," as he coins it, a place that can only ever mostly exist in Mike's head and the past:

[Black Tiger]

No idea why you guys don't already have him on ignore. He's not even so dumb that he's funny.

I don't have anyone on ignore.

[Jibbajaba]

I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out how this could possibly have got even weirder
than before.

The true visionary behind this project is Mike Kennedy. He’s also a marketing person with a big heart, and he wants to reciprocate the enthusiasm our followers show us by being totally open and sharing everything. I get it, and I admire him for that. But he talks, and he talks about everything I show or tell him. Again, he’s a marketing person, and that’s what marketing people do.

Knowing this about Mike (and about marketing people in general), causes me (as an engineer) to be very cautious in choosing what I share with him. The reason for this is very simple: our inventions are valuable, and premature public disclosure of our inventions would cause us to lose the ability to protect them with patents.
For most of this year I’ve been working crazy long startup hours on this project. I’ve drained my own savings to pay for both my living expenses and building prototype circuits. I have invested a lot of time and money, I have a lot to show for it.

The problem is: I can’t patent what I share publicly. As a result, I’ve been protecting my inventions as if they were my own children.

RETRO VGS first quick demo

Now their tech guy is claiming that there is a prototype, but he's not told his "boss" because he's afraid that it would spoil his ability to patent all the new inventions ... that he's already started to patent ... without telling his boss ... and so presumably by himself ... meanwhile leaving his partners flapping in the wind for a week with a failing crowdfunding campaign.

What a f**king great guy to go into business with!

Apart from which ... what the heck is patentable!!!! All that he's got to show is basically a Raspberry PI stuffed under a Jag-Wire shell, running X-Windows ... or maybe even less!!!!

I just don't know how to deal with this particular level of crazy sh*t!!!!     

FYI folks, but these Retro VGS guys attempted to deny us the experience to occasionally go back and enjoy their embarrassing "working prototype" demo video! That's right, they deleted it (those bastards!) which invalidated elmer's original link above and would've denied the future the full retro experience of this event, BUT, someone else saw this unjust attempt to deny the lulz our beloved Internet so craves and thwarted it! Having captured it when it was live, he was able to reupload it to his own account along with a brief intro to provide some context to the great debacle that is the now Retro VGS. The Internet applauds his efforts!

Oh, and before watching, if you're not up-to-speed about how "premature" ejaculation disclosure could lead to a loss of patent rights and why the Retro VGS team was a bit "shy" with revelations of tech specs earlier on, a quick web search should bring you up to speed on this matter... 

With that said, presenting, once again, the not-so-great John Carlsen:

Another interesting video on Retro VGS from the same reviewer that has followed it since its inception. He made some interesting points about Mike Kennedy's "Retro Land," as he coins it, a place that can only ever mostly exist in Mike's head and the past:

[NightWolve]

Not bad, could've used a bit more work, but it gave me some lulz as-is.

[Gentlegamer]

http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=141

System Compatibility List:
   
Works on authentic Nintendo Systems including NTSC, PAL A, PAL B, and Asian systems.
Works on clones like the FC Twin, NEX, Yobo, and Retro Duo.
Untested on Famicom using 72-60 pin converter, should work.
Untested on portable systems, likely to work (but your batteries won't last)
Does not work on stolen software emulators like the Retron 5
Does not work on RetroVGS

[Black Tiger]

I love how the RVGS was hyped as being backed by big name industry types and that they got quotes from much bigger names saying how excited they were for it and that it was an entire console which would open up a whole new library of software, blah, blah, blah...

But it failed hilariously while a non-existent game based on a relatively obscure cartoon from the 90's is so successful getting funded.

[Bloufo]

I love how the RVGS was hyped as being backed by big name industry types and that they got quotes from much bigger names saying how excited they were for it and that it was an entire console which would open up a whole new library of software, blah, blah, blah...

The amount of name dropping by Mike Kennedy reached stratospheric levels.

[Punch]

I think the RETRO VGS is a great idea.  I've bought reproduction carts of classic games for the past 3 years, as well as homebrew games.  I love buying old NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis games that never got an English translation and then finding new life in a repro cart complete with box, manual, and poster fully in English.  I believe the RETRO VGS will be more than just a system for indie titles.  It could be a home for old classics receiving HD Remasters, a breath of fresh air for budding game developers to achieve their dream of developing for a classic system like the SNES, Genesis, or even the Neo Geo, and you can even develop new games that take advantage of the full capabilities of the RETRO VGS.

Just imagine Square Enix, Konami, and Capcom jumping on board to revive their classic Secret of Mana & Final Fantasy titles, Castlevania, or even Mega Man?  If they find the HD Remasters working out, maybe they will even develop original content.

Frankly, I'm tired of the "digital revolution," where everything is downloadable to your hard drive.  Sure, it's convenient.  But I WANT a physical instruction manual, collectible maps & posters, and decent artwork on my game box.  Mike Kennedy knows his RETRO business because he is developing a console that is striving to stay away from the digital world (no internet connection for updates and such).  20 years from now, I want the RETRO VGS to still function without needing some patch from the Internet, unlike the Xbox One where it tries to connect to the Internet for every little thing.  I can't even play Killer Instinct on Xbox One without it saying, "The Console needs to go online for a game update."  You can't even save the game without the update?!?

I haven't heard anything about the system's price yet until the Kickstarter next week.  I wouldn't judge its price just yet until the official announcement.  Please support the RETRO VGS if you can.  I think it will make a statement to the mainstream console manufacturers. 

[sunteam_paul]

I love how the RVGS was hyped as being backed by big name industry types and that they got quotes from much bigger names saying how excited they were for it and that it was an entire console which would open up a whole new library of software, blah, blah, blah...

But it failed hilariously while a non-existent game based on a relatively obscure cartoon from the 90's is so successful getting funded.

80s

[NightWolve]

I think the RETRO VGS is a great idea.  I've bought reproduction carts of classic games for the past 3 years, as well as homebrew games.  I love buying old NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis games that never got an English translation and then finding new life in a repro cart complete with box, manual, and poster fully in English.  I believe the RETRO VGS will be more than just a system for indie titles.  It could be a home for old classics receiving HD Remasters, a breath of fresh air for budding game developers to achieve their dream of developing for a classic system like the SNES, Genesis, or even the Neo Geo, and you can even develop new games that take advantage of the full capabilities of the RETRO VGS.

Just imagine Square Enix, Konami, and Capcom jumping on board to revive their classic Secret of Mana & Final Fantasy titles, Castlevania, or even Mega Man?  If they find the HD Remasters working out, maybe they will even develop original content.

Frankly, I'm tired of the "digital revolution," where everything is downloadable to your hard drive.  Sure, it's convenient.  But I WANT a physical instruction manual, collectible maps & posters, and decent artwork on my game box.  Mike Kennedy knows his RETRO business because he is developing a console that is striving to stay away from the digital world (no internet connection for updates and such).  20 years from now, I want the RETRO VGS to still function without needing some patch from the Internet, unlike the Xbox One where it tries to connect to the Internet for every little thing.  I can't even play Killer Instinct on Xbox One without it saying, "The Console needs to go online for a game update."  You can't even save the game without the update?!?

I haven't heard anything about the system's price yet until the Kickstarter next week.  I wouldn't judge its price just yet until the official announcement.  Please support the RETRO VGS if you can.  I think it will make a statement to the mainstream console manufacturers. 

"Retro Land" is VERY real to some... Quit being a hater's hater!

[Black Tiger]

I love how the RVGS was hyped as being backed by big name industry types and that they got quotes from much bigger names saying how excited they were for it and that it was an entire console which would open up a whole new library of software, blah, blah, blah...

But it failed hilariously while a non-existent game based on a relatively obscure cartoon from the 90's is so successful getting funded.

80s

I believe that it got more exposure in rereuns. YTV aired it for several years off and on.

[Necromancer]

I think the RETRO VGS is a great idea.  I've bought reproduction carts of classic games for the past 3 years, as well as homebrew games.  I love buying old NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis games that never got an English translation and then finding new life in a repro cart complete with box, manual, and poster fully in English.  I believe the RETRO VGS will be more than just a system for indie titles.  It could be a home for old classics receiving HD Remasters, a breath of fresh air for budding game developers to achieve their dream of developing for a classic system like the SNES, Genesis, or even the Neo Geo, and you can even develop new games that take advantage of the full capabilities of the RETRO VGS.

Just imagine Square Enix, Konami, and Capcom jumping on board to revive their classic Secret of Mana & Final Fantasy titles, Castlevania, or even Mega Man?  If they find the HD Remasters working out, maybe they will even develop original content.

Frankly, I'm tired of the "digital revolution," where everything is downloadable to your hard drive.  Sure, it's convenient.  But I WANT a physical instruction manual, collectible maps & posters, and decent artwork on my game box.  Mike Kennedy knows his RETRO business because he is developing a console that is striving to stay away from the digital world (no internet connection for updates and such).  20 years from now, I want the RETRO VGS to still function without needing some patch from the Internet, unlike the Xbox One where it tries to connect to the Internet for every little thing.  I can't even play Killer Instinct on Xbox One without it saying, "The Console needs to go online for a game update."  You can't even save the game without the update?!?

I haven't heard anything about the system's price yet until the Kickstarter next week.  I wouldn't judge its price just yet until the official announcement.  Please support the RETRO VGS if you can.  I think it will make a statement to the mainstream console manufacturers. 

These jokers totally fumbled the execution, but that doesn't mean the underlying idea completely without merit.

[Black Tiger]

I think that physical releases of the new original games, as well as new translations for 8 and 16-bit gen consoles is a great idea.  I've bought carts and CDs of homebrew games for the past 15 years, as well as played homebrew roms.  I love playing old NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis games that never got localized and then finding new life in an English translation and it would be nice to have official carts and CDs complete with box, manual, and poster fully in English.  I believe that classic consoles are much more lucrative to develop for than poorly faked "retro" games.  Publishers could make a lot of money even just re-releasing old classics that are currently gouged out of reach of actual game fans. It would also be a breath of fresh air for budding game developers to achieve their dream of developing for a classic system like the SNES, Genesis, or even the Neo Geo, instead of the antithesis of classic gaming that is the RETRO VGS idea.

Just imagine Square Enix, Konami, and Capcom jumping on board to revive their classic Secret of Mana & Final Fantasy titles, Castlevania, or even Mega Man?  If they find that sequels to classic series working out, maybe they will even develop original content.

Frankly, I'm tired of the faux "retro" scene, where everything is inauthentic to both the hardware running it and the hardware inspiring it.  Sure, it's close enough for young casual game collectors.  But I want REAL 8 & 16-bit games. A physical instruction manual, collectible maps & posters, and decent artwork on my game box is a wasted if it's packaged around a soulless game out of time.  Mike Kennedy knows his RETRO magazine business is floundering, yet he is developing a console that is striving to stay as far away from real hardware and games as possible. (no game-playing enthusiast would waste their time on a fake platform for shovelware fake games).  20 years from now, I want the 8 & 16-bit generation consoles to still receive new original games, without needing to play them through emulation, unlike the RETRO VGS which strictly emulates everything.  I wouldn't be able play a game on a fake piece of shit like the RETRO VGS without saying, "I feel nothing for this Emulation Box nor its emulated games."  You can't even hook it up to a CRT and play games in 240p?!?

Please avoid the RETRO VGS and encourage others to do so.  I think it will make a statement to the mainstream and indie game publishers that we aren't interested in fake games or fake consoles.


Feel free to quote me so that I can't try to change it later.

[Punch]

Necro the point is that ctophil's quote not only is an extreme example of wishful thinking, it was made in the middle of the RVGS drama (where people not blinded by nostalgia already spotted serious flaws with their project). It was funny since when he wrote it. I mean, the last phrase "I think it will make a statement to the mainstream console manufacturers." represents the whole post perfectly.

I really want to see kevtris making something like RVGS with his HW designs because I'm sure it will be the opposite of it: focus on gaming, creator with actual experience in working on similar projects, prototypes of target design already made, not overpriced, not mismanaged, not wishing to be the next Nintendo Wii ("make a statement to console manufacturers!", just like the Ouya did with perfection  :-"), not with LE bullshit, using something that isn't associated with the Atari Jaguar, etc. (in short, not a Collectard Station)

[esadajr]

I think that physical releases of the new original games, as well as new translations for 8 and 16-bit gen consoles is a great idea.  I've bought carts and CDs of homebrew games for the past 15 years, as well as played homebrew roms.  I love playing old NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis games that never got localized and then finding new life in an English translation and it would be nice to have official carts and CDs complete with box, manual, and poster fully in English.  I believe that classic consoles are much more lucrative to develop for than poorly faked "retro" games.  Publishers could make a lot of money even just re-releasing old classics that are currently gouged out of reach of actual game fans. It would also be a breath of fresh air for budding game developers to achieve their dream of developing for a classic system like the SNES, Genesis, or even the Neo Geo, instead of the antithesis of classic gaming that is the RETRO VGS idea.

Just imagine Square Enix, Konami, and Capcom jumping on board to revive their classic Secret of Mana & Final Fantasy titles, Castlevania, or even Mega Man?  If they find that sequels to classic series working out, maybe they will even develop original content.

Frankly, I'm tired of the faux "retro" scene, where everything is inauthentic to both the hardware running it and the hardware inspiring it.  Sure, it's close enough for young casual game collectors.  But I want REAL 8 & 16-bit games. A physical instruction manual, collectible maps & posters, and decent artwork on my game box is a wasted if it's packaged around a soulless game out of time.  Mike Kennedy knows his RETRO magazine business is floundering, yet he is developing a console that is striving to stay as far away from real hardware and games as possible. (no game-playing enthusiast would waste their time on a fake platform for shovelware fake games).  20 years from now, I want the 8 & 16-bit generation consoles to still receive new original games, without needing to play them through emulation, unlike the RETRO VGS which strictly emulates everything.  I wouldn't be able play a game on a fake piece of shit like the RETRO VGS without saying, "I feel nothing for this Emulation Box nor its emulated games."  You can't even hook it up to a CRT and play games in 240p?!?

Please avoid the RETRO VGS and encourage others to do so.  I think it will make a statement to the mainstream and indie game publishers that we aren't interested in fake games or fake consoles.


Feel free to quote me so that I can't try to change it later.

I feel free to quote you so you can't try to change it later.

IMHO something that would help that cause is not supporting the so called 8th gen.

I don't see why it wouldn't be a good idea for Konami and Capcom to create SNES games, the parts exist  (infiniteneslives.com) they could make them on order, there's no risk. But they only want multi million $ projects.