RetroBlox : Another new Play-Everything "Retro" Console

[bob]

You know people going to fund this right?

I really hope this blows up in there faces

why?

[KnightWarrior]

There just cashing in the Retro-Hype

[esteban]

I will admit that I am much more interested in this project now.

I went from 100% skeptical ---> hmmm, this could be a good thing.

FLAWS:
I see the entire concept of pulling out and swapping modules as cumbersome. But, I think I might change my mind on this...

We need more details on SoC/emulation or whatever...

------

Obviously, the fact that the CD-ROM drive is in the base unit = awesome, since everyone will have access (not an upgrade).

However, I do worry about the build quality of the CD drive....hopefully it will remain reliable and functioning in a few years? To cut costs, using cheap mechanical components will be incredibly tempting for the design team.

[elmer]

5 weeks since this whole thing was announced, and the team has been very quiet for 4 of those weeks.

Does anyone else feel like the buzz and excitement that the RetroBlox guys generated in the first week has just been allowed to slowly drain away?

[Necromancer]

Yeah, they need a lesson in hype.

Where's the cardboard pcbs?  Where's the pci dvr card stuffed in a clear shell?  C'mon, guys, get with the program! 

[SignOfZeta]

Personally, I have no interest in hype. I can't imagine why anyone who isn't making money off it would.

[elmer]

They are alive and kicking. Can't really say more than that but there should be an update soon.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions that the guys need to clear up.

I did a video chat with Bryan last month and he showed me the prototype playing a Keith Courage cart playing in the PCE element module. It could have been an elaborate rouse but I kind of doubt it.

A video like that would be really helpful to show.

They've *got* to show the thing playing cartridges, that's the main unique-selling-point of their technology.

Our PCE has one of the simpler cartridge interfaces around on consoles.

But showing that running will start to show the potential power of their system.

The thing that will *really* start to convince folks is going to be seeing some video of those hard-to-emulate SNES cartridges with co-processors.

And by that, I mean video clearly showing that the cartridge images haven't been preloaded onto the system.

If they can do that, then I expect that they'll easily get their crowdfunding.

[Black Tiger]

Don't you need a working prototype for kickstarter? If so, they'll have to include footage of it performing. They're probably working on their promo video right now.

[SignOfZeta]

A "working prototype" doesn't have to be a fully functional thing in practice or theory. If it kinda played Mario Bros it would satisfy that criteria.

I donated to the Kite Patch (mosquito repellent) project years and years ago and it's still not done because it's new medical technology and that needs major research and regulation to work.

They did send me a sample spray last year that works really well, still no patch.

Maybe these guys will send you a Gameboy in six years. That's kinda all a Kickstarter is supposed to be. I agree with the DoxPhile guy, the specter of VGS hangs over every similar project now and we are now asking as much of five man teams as we ask from Sony.

[Groover]

This seems like so much vaporware. This is a long way from reality. I hope it is great and comes out but I will wait until it is a real product for sale. Also it will choke more the sale of CD games.

[elmer]

Apart from some of the crazier members of the tinfoil-hat brigade, who are already spewing ill-thought-out random hate, most folks that I see are just skeptical, and are patiently waiting for more information.

a group of people demoing something they made well before asking for crowd funding for the manufacture of an actual product.

This is what the skeptics want ... some actual demos of what the team have put together, so that they can get some idea of how much has been done (promises-backed-by-verifiable-reality) and how much is still left to do (promises-backed-by-hopes-and-dreams).

Your peeps don't have to do much, except be open and honest ... which would seem like a good policy when you're going to be asking for people's money up-front.

Their silence for the last month doesn't give people a good impression, and doesn't make it look like they've got their act together and really do have a "manufacture ready" product.

Perhaps they do.

[Gypsy]

I think Elmer is spot on here. Most rational people are just taking a wait and see approach.

I certainly would never give them a dime of money before any product exists, but if it turns out to be a decent product capable of performing the job of multiple disc based systems, then that is appealing for a lot of reasons.

[Groover]

@nullity

I'm still not convinced but they don't have to convince me until it is out for sale. I'm just not going to get excited and I'm taking a wait and see approach.

[elmer]

nullity:

Your peeps really need to pay some attention to their forum.

Having someone post an "Is the Project Dead?" thread is bad enough, but having a guy post this in response is worse ...

2017-03-21 at 4:18 AM
Foefan
 
It’s not dead. The team is currently under a legal embargo so they legally can not put out an update or even answer questions about the console. All they can say is that they are still working on it and that they are in a legal battle.

Legal battle??? RetroBlox is being sued???

That's not a good rumor for them to allow to spread ... unless it's true, of course.

[Gredler]

Legal battle??? RetroBlox is being sued???

That's not a good rumor for them to allow to spread ... unless it's true, of course.

I think the verbiage is confusing, and that random person posting that is not helping. There is a lot of back channel communication about their product.

*I think* they have a parent funding company, and I imagine they are NDA'ing the thing hard, which is what "legal embargo" *probably* means, and this person has worded it in a way that makes it sound litigious