The Future of Videogames, Part 2!

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Could this be the OFFICIAL PSP of the Future?

It’s been two whole years since I bored you all with my first essay about the video gaming future! Since some of you may have recovered by now, it is time to release another salvo! I submit for your enjoyment, “The Future of Videogames, Part 2”  Highlights include:

THRILLS! As I once again rip on Nintendo!

GASPS! As I predict the N-Gage to have its own landfill right next to Atari’s!

SHUDDERS! As the PSP and GBA face off!

CHILLS! As Nintendo and Microsoft blow more money trying to dethrone Sony!

And much, much more! Sorry I’ve been away for awhile, finishing my movie is taking a lot of effort… But anyway, enjoy!

Nintendo 8-bit Portable Found Being Built!

Hiya portable fans! I feel it’s been too long since I’ve announced anything new, so I will give you…

The NESp Story Volume 1: Attack of the Pirate Chip Menace!

Yes, it’s true, I am building a portable 8-bit Nintendo. The unit should be completed within the next month (aka “Volume 2”), but I figured people would enjoy reading the story-thus-far so I am posting it in advance.

Hopefully I can begin my Atari-building business before the end of the year. If you’re interested in either a VCSp unit or kit, please email me with the subject “VCSp Purchase Request” as the subject and I will collect your emails for notification when the time comes.

Also, I am assembling another long-winded essay “The Future of Videogames, Part II”, to be posted in the near future.

An Update on the Progress of Things!

Greetings, lovers of hacked up portable things! It’s been about a month since I’ve updated so I thought I’d fill ya’ll in on what’s going on (my favorite Four Non Blondes song, you know…)

First and foremost, I got to meet Nolan Bushnell at the 2003 Classic Gaming Expo in Vegas! I thanked him for what he had done, which may have seemed a little vague, but I was thanking him for creating the videogame industry! Maybe I should have specified that… C’mon, I was nervous! Honestly, if I could go back in time and tell myself, age 13 or so, that I would someday meet Mr. Bushnell, my 13 year old self woulda crapped his pants! (call Christopher Lloyd, I smell a hit movie!)

The Epic Meeting!

In other news, I now have my own CNC router. Some of you will probably think that was more news-worthy than meeting Nolan Bushnell, well, what can I say? He’s Nolan Bushnell!

Anyway, about the router… We had an old router at work that was replaced 4 years ago because it was becoming too out-of-date for our company, but for me it should be fine! I’ve had to fix a few things, but I got such a good deal on it that I can certainly justify that. Besides, I can hack up and modify an old router! If I tried that with a new router the bank would show up at my door with pitchforks and torches. Luckily the XY transit controls are kind of worn out so I get to replace them with a nice JOYSTICK!

The best part about a cheap machine is I don’t have to pass the cost onto my customers. And the money I save will go directly into my MGD account!

The thing weighs more than the Titanic so being the Transporter and taking to a Final Destination is gonna be tricky. Perhaps I can hack it up and make ROUTERp…  I will keep all of you posted on my progress!

The first project I plan to build with my router is my NESp. Yup, I am making one. In fact, it’s all wired and designed, just needs to be routed. I’m ‘saving’ the construction of it as kind of a present for myself. It’s barely larger (XY wise) than a cartridge and runs off 4 AA’s. It’s gonna ROCK THE CASBAH!

After I get that thing outta my system I plan to build A LOT of VCSp’s and VCSp kits! Kits will include the casing and instructions. I also hope to build new and different custom portables quite often, to save myself from monotony.

So, as always, stay tuned! The best is (hopefully) yet to come!

Portable Unit / Videogame Building Inquiry, Feedback Requested!

Hello folks, I am back! Haven’t gotten the Classic Gaming Expo photos developed yet, but I’ll post some when I do. (I got to meet Nolan Bushnell!!!)

I am thinking of going into this prototyping / device building thing as a full-time business. In order to support the expenses of this, I would have to expand my services. New expansion possibilities include (but not limited to):

  • Larger scale production of VCSp units that run off AA batteries (currently under development)
  • Production of KITS for people to build their own units
  • Outsourced prototype case-building (where a person would ask me to build a case for something and I would based off their specs)
  • Building of parts to create / refurbish arcade machines
  • Any custom part / shape building work a customer wants
  • And of course specialty new units every now and then

 So what I’m looking for is feedback. Take a look around the site, look at what I am capable of designing and let me know if more VCSp units, build-your-own kits, custom units and custom part-building work are things that you or people you know would be interested in. I want to use the level of feedback as a ‘barometer’ of if I should do this or not.

Please email and tell me your thoughts, they will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

After All These Years, Vagabond Unit Actually Built!

The Vagabond '03. Click photo for whole story!

I know, it’s hard to believe your eyes. But here it is. Just in time for the 2003 Classic Gaming Expo, the Vagabond ’03! Using the design concepts from the original Vagabond plans (circa 2000), it is the smallest VCSp ever – yet it the cartridge slides down the back! No fakey emulation or “Ataris-On-A-Chip” – a real live Atari 2600 (or part of it) is actually crammed into this baby! For the story on how (and why) I did it, click here!

( Note- the Vagabond ’03 is NOT one of the ‘3 new systems’ mentioned below on the June 17th entry. Those are still up in the air! )