A Card-Sized Handheld Gaming Device?
Arduboy
So, a fun thing popped up on Kickstarter, the Arduboy – A game system for (classic) games, free games for the system and opensource allowing people to learn how to program games with ease!
Some specs:
Brilliant OLED Display
6 Soft-Touch Tactile Buttons
2 Channel Piezo Speaker
Durable Metal & Polycarbonate Construction
8+ Hour Battery Life & Rechargable
Fully Programmable with Arduino!
Processor: ATmega32u4 (same as Arduino Leonardo & Micro)
Memory: 32KB Flash, 2.5KB RAM, 1KB EEPROM
Connectivity: USB 2.0 w/ built in HID profile
Inputs: 6 momentary tactile buttons
Outputs: 128×64 1Bit OLED, 2 Ch. Piezo Speaker & Blinky LED
Battery: 180 mAh Thin-Film Lithium Polymer
Programming: Arduino IDE, Codebender, GCC & AVRDude
What is Arduboy?
Arduboy is an open platform for people to play, create and share games. A game system the size of a credit card. Choose your favorite classic game from the completely free Arduboy Arcade. Built on the popular Arduino software, it’s also an excellent way to learn how to program! Because you can learn to make your own games, Arduboy is a game system the size of your imagination!
Super Retro!
Designed to remind you of a more simple time in the world of gaming, the Arduboy brings true 8-bit gaming into the 21st century with style. The black and white screen invites you to involve your imagination once again while gaming.
Open Source Gaming!
Anyone can make games for the Arduboy! Free online tutorials guide you through a step by step process on how to develop your own software! There are already plenty of examples to learn from. Ever wanted to create a level or map for your favorite game, or make your favorite character jump higher? Now is your chance!
I’ll refrain from posting their entire kickstar page, but I’m sure to drop a link to the project as it’s really appealing to myself and I’m curious to find out if this kickstarter will make it’s goal!
Blitz Games Possesses E3 Expo!
Possession will give players the chance to do what they've always wanted to do in a survival horror game – control the zombies and wreak havoc instead of just cowering in the corner. There'll be no more creeping about in the shadows, no more conserving ammo – Blitz are finally letting people take control of the carnage!
The game will provide a unique and ambitious mix of strategy and all-out gore-splattered action. It will also feature innovative online multiplayer modes featuring Blitz's new 1-versus-many gameplay mechanic that will allow a single third-person player to take on multiple first-person enemies.
The company has already had several high profile publishers interested in the project as Chief Technical Officer Andrew Oliver explains: "Several of the publishers that have already seen the game concept are actively pursuing further information and we feel sure that someone will snap up publishing rights in the near future."
XGAMING, Video Game Round-Up At E3
Did you enjoy dropping quarters in arcade machines to play arcade classics and fighting games? Don't you wish you could do the same thing at home on your game console or PC? Gamers from all over the world got a chance to do just that this week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Crowds fought for a chance to play the X-Arcade, an authentic game controller that has set the game industry abuzz with it's multi-platform capability and industrial design.
The game industry experts who visited the year's largest tradeshow found the authentic arcade device on PC, XBOX, Gamecube, Apple, PS2 and Dreamcast. The X-Arcade allows you to relive the authentic arcade experience with real arcade parts and controls on any game system. The device provides a life-like arcade experience at the touch of your fingers with hand constructed arcade design and indestructible arcade-grade parts.
Developer and President, Shawn R. Walters of XGaming, said "we had an excellent response from game players and industry executives and are excited about the retail launch. "
The success of the show will be further carried over into major retail stores for a nationwide retail launch set for August.
New Technology Turns The Industry's Eyes
With current game manufactures designing products which fit the "me-too" design, looking similar and only being differentiated by price, XGAMING aimed to fill a market void by creating a high end, unique product, that also offered a solution for gamers who have more than one game device.
"With success of PC and cross-over into XBOX/PS2/GAMECUBE, gamers are left purchasing accessories for each system, rather that having a one- stop, high end option for all." Said Walters. XGAMING began negotiations with several accessory manufactures to license the multi-platform technology for use in other products which would all work under the X-MS family of adapters. Once a customer owns adapters for each system, any device manufactured using the X-MS technology would instantly work with any system.
ARCADE MANUFACTURER SEEKS INDEPENDENT GAME DEVELOPERS
TLC Industries, Inc. is now accepting submissions from independent video game developers interested in releasing their games into the arcade market. TLC's new gaming platform, the FLEXARCADE, is a PC-based video game cabinet that can accommodate thousands of different games and genres. Developers can use the FLEXARCADE as a promotional gaming device to the arcade market.
Those developers that take the opportunity the FLEXARCADE presents can expect to increase the exposure for their games, prime the market for their game, build their trade name, learn some of the networking avenues, and gain invaluable knowledge from the experience of releasing a game to market.
