Retro VGS Game Console

[elmer]

I didn't see any kind of disclaimer that the RVGS indiegogo is opting to not keep everyone's money if it doesn't meet the minimum requirement of $2 million and they worded it very specifically that if they don't get that, it's not happening.

It's using the "Fixed Funding" option on IndieGogo, it says so right at the top of the page. They only get the money if they reach their $2M goal.

BUT ... now they're shifting the goalposts again. There's no confirmation of the hardware specs, it's all been left vague, and there's now mention that they'll need to hit $3.8M in order to put in the full-sized FPGA that they've been promising.

The FAQ on their own website now says "System Specifications: Pending Revision".

I can't believe that anyone would be stupid enough to put down money on this with not only no protoype, but now without even clear specs of what they'll be buying! 

What a disaster! 

BTW ... nice of them to say that the 3 "creators" will get paid $240,000 each out of the funding to pay them for their time.

[Black Tiger]

I didn't see any kind of disclaimer that the RVGS indiegogo is opting to not keep everyone's money if it doesn't meet the minimum requirement of $2 million and they worded it very specifically that if they don't get that, it's not happening.

It's using the "Fixed Funding" option on IndieGogo, it says so right at the top of the page. They only get the money if they reach their $2M goal.

BUT ... now they're shifting the goalposts again. There's no confirmation of the hardware specs, it's all been left vague, and there's now mention that they'll need to hit $4M in order to put in the full-sized FPGA that they've been promising.

The FAQ on their own website now says "System Specifications: Pending Revision".

I can't believe that anyone would be stupid enough to put down money on this with not only no protoype, but now without even clear specs of what they'll be buying! 

What a disaster! 

It's good to know that it is clear (to those who understand indiegogo) about whether or not they keep the money.

Sounds like all that they are funding is an idea, one so vague that they couldn't even design console or cart shells for it. I'm guessing that they only bothered with the Jaguar casings because they wanted to jump in as fast as they could and cut straight to the part where people donate $2+ million.

[MrBroadway]

Nail in the coffin, folks.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?p=3324908

More smoke and mirrors:

 
Their "prototype controller" playing a game on hardware that doesn't exist sure looks a lot like this:

[Black Tiger]

And there's no way that's Tiny Knight running on RVGS hardware.

If they'd worded it any different, like "the prototype will be modeled after the Wii Controller Pro" or "Wii pad playing the Tiny Knight beta on RGVS protype hardware" or something, it wouldn't be an outright lie intended to part people with their money.

The sad part is how little effort has gone into this whole thing and how successfully they're managed to hook some gullible people.

[johnnykonami]

Just wow.  I don't know why they thought they could get away with that.  Between this, having "Retro" as part of the moniker, and using the Jag shell (seriously, how hard would it be to sculpt an original mold), this thing was doomed to fail.  Ouya part 2.

[SignOfZeta]

Yeah. Those that are falling for it fall for an extremely small and flimsy morsel of hype. Just...idiots with money, I guess. 

[grolt]

I like the system in concept - virtual console games just don't have the weight or cache that owning the physical hardware does, and the prospect of being able to program different game systems on one consistent hardware allows for endless possibilities, but it really looks like this is being run poorly and disingenuous.  I hope nobody gets sucked out of cash.

[Punch]

Nail in the coffin, folks.

My sig is like fine wine. Comedy wine that is, the more time passes the funnier it gets.

[SuperGrafx]

BTW ... nice of them to say that the 3 "creators" will get paid $240,000 each out of the funding to pay them for their time.

And that right there is reason for me to not ever fund this.
No way are these douchebag hipsters getting any of my money.

[grolt]

BTW ... nice of them to say that the 3 "creators" will get paid $240,000 each out of the funding to pay them for their time.

And that right there is reason for me to not ever fund this.
No way are these douchebag hipsters getting any of my money.

But...but...it's a 50% pay cut for what they'd normally get for their services!

[IvanBeavkov]

Just wow.  I don't know why they thought they could get away with that.  Between this, having "Retro" as part of the moniker, and using the Jag shell (seriously, how hard would it be to sculpt an original mold), this thing was doomed to fail.  Ouya part 2.

I think this thing will make the Ouya look like an incredible success. I have actually seen that on store shelves.

[jtucci31]

This image is on their indiegogo. Bleh, i hate it. It looks like shit and is confusing. Red X's mean what? They don't have it? They do but it's a negative for them? (I mean, I do understand it, but it just blows). Also, all other systems having their own controllers they label as "theirs" being a negative? Even though, as pointed out above, it's pretty similar to a Wii U controller.

There will be no system updates for the Retro VGS? What does Transferable Games even mean?



Whatever, their Indiegogo is already at $40k.

EDIT: This is my favorite part. If you pay $500 you get a Retro VGS with a low serial number starting with 1. LOL. 6 people have already bought that.

[grolt]

EDIT: This is my favorite part. If you pay $500 you get a Retro VGS with a low serial number starting with 1. LOL. 6 people have already bought that.

"Low price"

[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. 

Quoting the whole thing for posterity in case ctophil edits it out lol.

[esteban]

Seeing how well-thought-out the RVGS is, I am sure the "no system updates" stance will never come back to haunt them.

I know for certain that this console, out of the box, is Godhead. Not simply perfect for 2016, but perfect for any and all circumstances  beyond 2016.

Godhead.