al710@unh.UUCP (Anthony Lapadula) (11/24/88)
I posted this message about one week ago, and received exactly
one response. Unfortunately, that response was not very helpful -- it
said only 'expect it with six months.' So, in the hopes that
the message was never fully distributed, let's try it again....
/******************* Original Message ****************************/
Has anyone heard anything about Atari producing a 68000 based
home video game system? Rumors flew several weeks back, but
I've heard nothing new lately.
Specifically, if such a machine does/will exist, I was hoping to get
answers to these questions, before I settle on buying a Nintendo
or Sega:
* How does it compare to the Sega, Nintendo, and Atari XE systems
available now? What are the specs for these 3 machines,
and what are they for the new, rumored Atari box? Along these
lines, what kind of input devices (light gun, 3D specs, etc.)
will be available?
* When will it be released? (Rough guesses -- plus or minus
1/2 year -- are welcome).
* How about cost and projected game availability (within, say,
1 year of release)?
Post or e-mail replies. I'll summarize if the response warrants it.
/******************* Original Message ****************************/
Any information regarding the machine's existence is greatly appreciated.
/*
** What, you wanted something funny?
** --- Anthony Lapadula (...uunet!unh!al710)
*/mkazmier@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Michael Kazmierczak) (12/02/88)
>Has anyone heard anything about Atari producing a 68000 based >home video game system? Rumors flew several weeks back, but >I've heard nothing new lately. The only new thing that I have seen from Atari lately is the 7800. I saw this at a Federated, selling for $150 or so. It had a real joystick as opposed to the touchpads that Nintendo has. Federated also had a good supply of cartridges for it. Can't recall any names off hand but there was at least ten different names. What I liked about it is that the 7800 would also take the cartridges for the 2600. So now I can use all those old games that have been sitting around. I haven't bought it yet. I'm not quite sure if I want to or not. I was wondering if anyone out there has already bought one and can tell what it is like. Any rumors? Comparisions to Nintendo or Sega would be good. Thanks, Mike Kazmierczak mkazmier%bonnie.ics.uci.edu@OIRON.CF.UCI.EDU
cptpower@bsu-cs.UUCP (Mike Wildridge) (12/02/88)
In article <1027@paris.ics.uci.edu>, mkazmier@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Michael Kazmierczak) writes: >Has anyone heard anything about Atari producing a 68000 based >home video game system? Rumors flew several weeks back, but >I've heard nothing new lately. The newest game system Atari has out right now is the new XE game system. It's called that because it's based on the XE computer. In fact, what it really is is a 65XE CPU with a detachable keyboard. They rearranged a few things outside, but it's the exact same internal stuff. In fact, if you open it up, you can see where the 4 function keys went because the "ports" are still there. It can use a drive and everything. What they did was to market their computer line but sell it as a game so the younger crowd will buy it up more. They have them at Toy's R Us and such and they're not to bad. It's a home computer in a video games clothing... Power \ Mike Wildridge - Nude Model Extraordinaire / DJ Wannabe \ \ Menk Hall Box 102 ____ \ POWER ON! \ Muncie, IN 47306-1082 \ / "This is Power, \ / \ (317) 285-6777 \/ Captain Jonathan Power!" \/ / UUCP: <backbones>!{iuvax,pur-ee,uunet}!bsu-cs!cptpower /
kimes@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Kit Kimes) (12/02/88)
> >>Has anyone heard anything about Atari producing a 68000 based >>home video game system? Rumors flew several weeks back, but >>I've heard nothing new lately. > > The only new thing that I have seen from Atari lately is the 7800. I saw > this at a Federated, selling for $150 or so. It had a real joystick as > opposed to the touchpads that Nintendo has. Federated also had a good supply > of cartridges for it. Can't recall any names off hand but there was at > least ten different names. What I liked about it is that the 7800 would > also take the cartridges for the 2600. So now I can use all those old games > that have been sitting around. I haven't bought it yet. I'm not quite > sure if I want to or not. > The 7800 was designed while Warner Brothers still owned Atari and almost never saw the light of day. Tramiel inherited 100,000 or so of them when he bought the company. They sat for a year or more and were only released because Atari wanted to clear them out and make a little money (my opinion). They caught it just right though, because video games took an upswing about then. The 7800 has even better graphics than the 8bit computer (and XE Game System) because it was designed with graphics in mind and with a better graphics handling chip. I think they compare very favorably with the Nintendo and Sega systems, but have only a limited number of cartridges (if you don't count the 2600 games). What irks me is that some games like EPYX's Winter Games are available for the 7800 and not for the XE GS. BTW, $150 is way too much. I don't remember the exact price but Toys R Us and Child's World are selling them around here for under $100. Kit Kimes AT&T--Bell Laboratories ...att!ihlpe!kimes FACT: Your cat has more muscles in its tail than you do in your head.
rjung@nunki.usc.edu (Robert allen Jung) (12/03/88)
(Cross-posted to rec.games.video because it's relevant, comp.sys.atari.8bit because the 8-bits are involved, and comp.sys.atari.st to address Atari's US image problems) : In article <3863@ihlpe.ATT.COM> kimes@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Kit Kimes) writes: > [Questions about the Atari 7800 game system deleted] > >The 7800 was designed while Warner Brothers still owned Atari and almost >never saw the light of day. Tramiel inherited 100,000 or so of them when >he bought the company. They sat for a year or more and were only released >because Atari wanted to clear them out and make a little money (my opinion). >They caught it just right though, because video games took an upswing about >then. The 7800 has even better graphics than the 8bit computer (and XE Game >System) because it was designed with graphics in mind and with a better >graphics handling chip. I think they compare very favorably with the >Nintendo and Sega systems, but have only a limited number of cartridges (if >you don't count the 2600 games). I agree, the 7800 would (have been?) be a great system if there was more software for it. As it is now, Sega and Nintendo seem to have a deadlock on the "hot" game titles, which seems to hamper Atari's chances to penetrate the market. In relation to all this, who else thinks as I do that Atari is spreading itself reeeeeeeeeeeally thin with three game systems? Why the 7800, the 2600, and the XEGS -- all at once? If all the software was compatable, then it'd be okay (sort of like Nintendo's Basic System and Deluxe System, etc.). But with incompatable games, it's like a lot of waffling from Sunnyvale... Maybe just the XEGS and/or the 7800. Then, of course, this all ties in to the problem of Atari's "Pac-Man" image problems in America. When will we see a serious drive for promoting the ST in America? Us ST owners know the machine blows the doors off most other machines in its price category, but all we get are silly looks from the die-hard IBM/Macintosh pinstripes crowd... Anybody want to add anything to this mess? --R.J. B-) (I shouldn't be reading the net, I should work on my Sun/ST emulator) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: These are my views, and mine alone. # ## # Mailing address: Beats me, just reply to this message # ## # (rjung@nunki.usc.edu?) ## ## ## #### ## ####
soohoo@cory.Berkeley.EDU (Ken Soohoo) (12/04/88)
In article <2074@nunki.usc.edu> rjung@nunki.usc.edu (Robert allen Jung) writes: > >(Cross-posted to rec.games.video because it's relevant, comp.sys.atari.8bit >because the 8-bits are involved, and comp.sys.atari.st to address Atari's >US image problems) : > > >In article <3863@ihlpe.ATT.COM> kimes@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Kit Kimes) writes: >> [Questions about the Atari 7800 game system deleted] >> >>The 7800 was designed while Warner Brothers still owned Atari and almost >>never saw the light of day. Tramiel inherited 100,000 or so of them when >>he bought the company. They sat for a year or more and were only released >>because Atari wanted to clear them out and make a little money (my opinion). >>They caught it just right though, because video games took an upswing about >>then. The 7800 has even better graphics than the 8bit computer (and XE Game >>System) because it was designed with graphics in mind and with a better >>graphics handling chip. I think they compare very favorably with the >>Nintendo and Sega systems, but have only a limited number of cartridges (if >>you don't count the 2600 games). > > I agree, the 7800 would (have been?) be a great system if there was more >software for it. As it is now, Sega and Nintendo seem to have a deadlock on >the "hot" game titles, which seems to hamper Atari's chances to penetrate >the market. Yes, the 7800 has a great architecture because it was designed with coin-op mentality, making it terribly difficult to program, which is why Super titles haven't exploded onto the market. It has great potential to beat Sega, and give Nintendo a run for it's money. Yes, if you want "Arcade" titles, you can buy a Sega/Nintendo, but if you want new, neat, good graphics, good playability games, the 7800 _should_ be the machine, it just doesn't have the software base yet. Ideally, the new popular 7800 titles would become the Arcade Games of the future, becuase they'll have been desgined on a machine that permits _somewhat_ easier portability to an upright (at least, that's an idea). (Did you know that the ST was used to design the shapes in Gauntlet II??) > > In relation to all this, who else thinks as I do that Atari is spreading >itself reeeeeeeeeeeally thin with three game systems? Why the 7800, the 2600, >and the XEGS -- all at once? If all the software was compatable, then it'd >be okay (sort of like Nintendo's Basic System and Deluxe System, etc.). But >with incompatable games, it's like a lot of waffling from Sunnyvale... >Maybe just the XEGS and/or the 7800. > No, Atari isn't spreading itself thin with 2600/7800 & XE systems, remeber that the 2600 is still selling like mad, along with the games, and Atari doesn't have to do much to make money there. The 7800 is it's "new" machine, which _is_ backward compatible, so you buy the 7800 and you get _all_ the hundreds of 2600 games (which is the Basic/Deluxe idea). Now the XE system is the logical extension for the 8bit Atari line, which already has a huge installed base (like the 2600, although not nearly in the same numbers), and the XE _Game_ system plays / uses all the older Atari computer software, hardware, and cartridges. So by bringing out the XE (which used to be the 400/800 looong ago), Atari can make use of all sorts of existing machines out there that people are selling, or have sitting in the colset, as publicity and perifs. The XE Game system is a Computer & a Game Machine, an a _proven_ computer (i.e. education and fun). So really, you've just go two lines, the Computer Line, and the Game line, both marketed under the Game image, because now Atari's selling the ST as it's flagship computer. > Then, of course, this all ties in to the problem of Atari's "Pac-Man" >image problems in America. When will we see a serious drive for promoting >the ST in America? Us ST owners know the machine blows the doors off most >other machines in its price category, but all we get are silly looks from >the die-hard IBM/Macintosh pinstripes crowd... Someday, someday... For now, just sell Games in the US, Computers in Europe. --Kenneth Soohoo (soohoo@cory.Berkeley.Edu) Atari 400/800/600xl/800xl/1200/130xe/65xe, 1040ST hacker Sometime Berkeley Student, othertimes... My opinions are my OWN, not necessarily Atari's
keithj@ux1.lbl.gov (Keith J Groves) (12/05/88)
Say BJ,
If you need a beta tester for your SUN/ST Emulater, I'll be more
than willing to work out an arrangement with you.
Now, in reference to your article, I agree with you on the image Atari
hasn't been able to shake yet. I can't stand it when some IBM/Mac user
refers to the ST (being an Atari product) as a game machine due to
Atari's advertising strategy with it's games division. I for one will
surely be glad when the ST commercials hit the airwaves. I've seen a
few on the local cable channels, but there's not much of an audience
there.
Keithgood@atari.UUCP (Roy Good) (12/06/88)
in article <4934@bsu-cs.UUCP>, cptpower@bsu-cs.UUCP (Mike Wildridge) says: > > In article <1027@paris.ics.uci.edu>, mkazmier@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Michael Kazmierczak) writes: >>Has anyone heard anything about Atari producing a 68000 based >>home video game system? Rumors flew several weeks back, but > > The newest game system Atari has out right now is the new XE game system. > It's called that because it's based on the XE computer. > [deleted] > It's a home computer in a video games clothing... It's also got some pretty reasonable games, plus built-in BASIC etc. And right now there's a $50 refund from Atari going on, so you can get the whole she-bang for under $100 - includes light-gun, a couple or more games etc etc. What really hurts is that I bought one at employee (ie dealer) price for my littl'uns and now Price Club (a local discount store) and Toys r Us have it for much less! FYI, and to correct an earlier posting I saw, the other two game systems are the 7800 which retails officially at around $79.95, and the 2600 at around $49.95. Both can be discounted (and are!). Note also that Atari cartridges tend to be much lower cost than some of the "others", which means that you get more variation for a fixed amount of 'pocket money'. Roy Good/Atari
billkatt@caen.engin.umich.edu (Steve Bollinger) (12/07/88)
In article <1253@atari.UUCP> good@atari.UUCP (Roy Good) writes: >in article <4934@bsu-cs.UUCP>, cptpower@bsu-cs.UUCP (Mike Wildridge) says: >> >> In article <1027@paris.ics.uci.edu>, mkazmier@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Michael Kazmierczak) writes: >>>Has anyone heard anything about Atari producing a 68000 based >>>home video game system? Rumors flew several weeks back, but >> >> The newest game system Atari has out right now is the new XE game system. >> It's called that because it's based on the XE computer. >> [deleted] >> It's a home computer in a video games clothing... > >It's also got some pretty reasonable games, plus built-in BASIC etc. >And right now there's a $50 refund from Atari going on, so you can get >the whole she-bang for under $100 - includes light-gun, a couple or more >games etc etc. What really hurts is that I bought one at employee (ie dealer) >price for my littl'uns and now Price Club (a local discount store) and >Toys r Us have it for much less! > >FYI, and to correct an earlier posting I saw, the other two game systems are >the 7800 which retails officially at around $79.95, and the 2600 at around >$49.95. Both can be discounted (and are!). > >Note also that Atari cartridges tend to be much lower cost than some of >the "others", which means that you get more variation for a fixed amount >of 'pocket money'. > >Roy Good/Atari No video game that only supports one-button joysticks is worth $100. You need at least two to play reasonably complex games. -Steve
cc@valhalla.cs.ucla.edu (Mark Wang) (12/07/88)
In article <401926c9.1285f@maize.engin.umich.edu> billkatt@caen.engin.umich.edu (Steve Bollinger) writes: >In article <1253@atari.UUCP> good@atari.UUCP (Roy Good) writes: >> >> [stuff about the XEGS, the 2600, and the 7800] >> >>Roy Good/Atari > >No video game that only supports one-button joysticks is worth $100. >You need at least two to play reasonably complex games. > >-Steve That remark certainly does not apply to any of Atari's systems, since they do have the capability to support much more complex game controllers. I have been collecting parts to build myself an analog stick with up to _5_ buttons! Of course, it won't work without software to support it. So, when (or if) I finish that stick I will write my own games for it. Along the same line, I'm sure if some manufacturer markets a new type of stick, there would be enough incentive for writers to develop games for it. Now all we have to do is to find enough incentive, as in software support, to produce the stick in the first place. (catch-22!) One solution is to bundle some initial set of software with the hardware, a la Koala Pad. Just start the ball rolling and watch it go. On another note, for those who prefer digital sticks with multiple buttons, the analog pins could simply be fed digital button-down signals. They can't be latched (at least not on the XEGS), but that's not that serious, is it? Also, the second stick port could be used exclusively for the extra buttons. This has been done already, I believe, on Star Raiders, using a keypad. The possibilities go on and on... Now, tell me again about not supporting multiple-button complex games. Mark Wang ||| Our club prez has an Amiga, so his opinions cc@cs.ucla.edu ||| don't count. Other members don't post news. UCLA Computer Club / | \ Therefore, these opinions must be mine.
rbrown@svax.cs.cornell.edu (Russell Brown) (12/07/88)
In article <401926c9.1285f@maize.engin.umich.edu> billkatt@caen.engin.umich.edu (Steve Bollinger) writes: >In article <1253@atari.UUCP> good@atari.UUCP (Roy Good) writes: >> >> [stuff about the XEGS, the 2600, and the 7800] >> >>Roy Good/Atari > >No video game that only supports one-button joysticks is worth $100. >You need at least two to play reasonably complex games. > >-Steve My thought on the matter (admittedly I haven't tried any of the newer game systems) is that I don't see that you can have too complex a control system in a handheld unit (doesn't include keypads (as per star-raiders)). I mean, a few years ago I bought the Atari trackball, but later took it back. It just didn't seem to work well from my lap, nor did it have enough mass to sit still on the table. The joystick is going to have the same problem-how do you do a good job of dealing with multiple buttons if you've gotta hold the thing at the same time. I realize that some of the newer game setups have all sorts of fancy consoles, but don't a number of these come with the game, not the system? And that spells money. Not trying to be cheap, but I AM a grad student. Russell G. Brown No employer, no opinion
ChaseRunner@cup.portal.com (Ric C Helton) (12/10/88)
RE: Atari controllers... No one can tell me that with such diverse and varied controllers as the CX85 keypad, joysticks, paddles, light-pen cir BUILT IN (whatever happened to light pens?!), digitizer pads (Atari Artist, Koala, etc), joystick/keypad combos, trakball, mice (!), etc, that Atari's controller potential in unsophisticated. Add to that the possibility to send data OUT through the port (an intelligent controller?) and you have a very powerful setup. -Ric