XGameStation; new 68K based games console for hobbyists

[Jethro_Tull]

While surfing the net, I discovered this site; http://www.xgamestation.com
they're developing a games console based on a 25MHz Motorola 68K CPU.  The big departure is that rather then being a mainstream console aiming for world domination, it's being marketed to programmers and retro-fans who are then encouraged to write their own games.  All tools are provided, including an empty games cartridge,  a comprehensive book detailing every aspect of console and a complete development kit.

The target price of just $99 makes it quite attractive too in my opinion.  Looks like it's quite an interesting gadget for programmers who cut their teeth programming their Amiga in assemly language or C.

[Framiga]

The target price of just $99 makes it quite attractive too in my opinion.

well . . .OK for the price but, with the incoming C-One around?

I hardly doubt, that item can do the difference! IMHO

However, vey cool project and nice site too.

Ciao

-edit- Sorry! after reading well all the spec, i think that could be a great project.
CommodoreOne has a different target.

[meerschaum]

that thing looks cool, as a hobby that thing could be alot of fun I bet...and I wouldnt mind owning one... could be alot of fun...

[redrumloa]

No actually to me it looks like they both have similar targets, and IMO the C=1 is more attractive.

[Jethro_Tull]

Hi red,
I'd have to disagree with you on this one.  I've got the impression the C-One is a much more of a complete computer then the XGameStation.  It has a hard disk and floppy interface, fits in a PC case etc.  The XGameStation has none of these, and if you've seen the site, you'll know it's aimed squarely at the games hobbyists.  The XGameStation is quite small (about 12cm X 8cm), comes with extensive documentation and is cheap too, but it old hardware, and is certainly not as innovative as the C-One.

Having said that, the XGameStation should handle C64, Atari, mame etc emulation fairly easily and so would be ideal for nostalgia fans everywhere.

However Red, please let's not turn this thread into a C-One Vs XGameStation thing.  Like Framiga said, they're seperate products aimed at seperate markets, while there might be some apparent overlap, it can also be said for MANY other products.

I posted the news item purely because I thought the product (which I discovered through the demo raido-site nectar) would interest the Amiga community.  Personally wrting a game, burning it on ROM cartridge and run it on your very own console has it's appeal to me.  

I miss the days you had to code in assembly, hit the hardware and come up with clever algorithims for dems and games, when coding was a challenge.  Nowadays, with hardware so powerfull and APIs so vast and arcane, it's a completly different ball game!  That's why the XGameStation rang a bell immediatly with me!
 

See ya' round
Jethro Tull

[redrumloa]

@jethro_tull

You are right the C=1 is much more complete a system, I was just trying to make a point that they both are aimed at old school  geeks. The only way I really seer they differ in this aspect is this is aimed only at gamers.

[Bezzen]

As the hardcore retro gamer I am I wouldn't mind owning this console and take a shot at making some nice 2D games for it.  :-)

[Floid]

If you want to compare them, it might be fair to call this an N64 to the CommodoreOne's... Playstation?  Dreamcast?

The hardware is tuned in a different way, the SRAM being a *very* noticable difference!  Can't wait to see what people cook up for either platform.

For educational use, the two could even be complementary - spend one semester implementing on one platform, and the next learning to port to the other.  In an era where basic tinkering can turn out to be a DMCA violation, platforms like these will probably take on some utility...

[hnl_dk]

[...] developing a games console based on a 25MHz Motorola 68K CPU. [...]

Sorry to tell, but you need to correct it ... it is not based on a 25MHz Motorola 68k CPU

It is based on the Motorola 68HCS12 16Bit Microcontroller!!!

[Kronos]

@Red

Gamers ? How could that be, when it's compatible with exactly nothing at all  ;-)

The C1 is aimed at 8bit-geeks wanting to get their SW (including games) onto new HW,
while this is purely aimed at demo and games coders.

I doubt that it will ever be a more attractive games plattform than a C64 or C1.

But both projects share one thing: They are allready completly obsolete, and thats
whats makes them so cool  :-o

@hnl_dk
Before I inflict the pain of searching the web for it ...
how does that compare to a 68000 ?
Is it somewhat compatible ? Maybe atleast on the source-level (Asm) ?

[amigamad]

Its even faster than an amigaone  :-D  :-D  :-D  :-D

[Damion]

Having said that, the XGameStation should handle C64, Atari, mame etc emulation fairly easily and so would be ideal for nostalgia fans everywhere.

I dunno...I doubt a 25mhz 'ANYTHING" would handle
MAME or even c64 emulation very well....it might
emulate old '2600 games decent though...

[bloodline]

The first person to port AROS to it gets a prize... :-D

[N7VQM]

bloodline said:

gets a prize...

Is the prize a couple hours with that gal in your avatar? LOL   :-D

[meerschaum]

ohhh come on, this thing is freakin cool and ya know it!.... I just hope it has enough power to push graphics the way a SNES could... other then that its a very cool system for 99$...