Atari Is Getting Back Into the Console Business

[The Deadman]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/...5944e971000011

A new Atari video game console is on the way, according to the company's CEO Fred Chesnais.

Atari has released a mysterious video teasing a brand new piece of hardware called the Ataribox. Though the video doesn't reveal much, it does suggest the console will sport some sort of wood-grain design.

In an interview with GamesBeat, Chesnais addressed the speculation and rumors, confirming Atari is indeed "back in the hardware business." While Chesnais did not provide further details about the hardware, he did confirm the Ataribox will be based on PC technology. Chesnais also said the system's design is still not finalized and that more information about the console will be shared at a later date.

Atari's last home console was the Atari Jaguar, which released in North America in 1993. While you wait for more information about the Ataribox, check out IGN's extensive feature on the history Atari, as well as the new Atari Flashback 8 Gold that's launching this September.

I feel like this will last 6 months and then flop, hard. This probably would be a bigger deal if Sega came back and announced something like the Dreamcast 2.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by The Deadman

http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/...5944e971000011



I feel like this will last 6 months and then flop, hard. This probably would be a bigger deal if Sega came back and announced something like the Dreamcast 2.

Do children and young people today in general even know what Atari is? I didn't know when I was about 10, it was all about Nintendo and SEGA.

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Do children and young people today in general even know what Atari is? I didn't know when I was about 10, it was all about Nintendo and SEGA.

Atari 2600 was one of the 1st consoles I used to own.

[snake]

Originally Posted by TigerClaw

Atari 2600 was one of the 1st consoles I used to own.

The question asked about children and young people, robot.

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by snake

The question asked about children and young people, robot.

In the early 80s, It was all about Atari 2600 Coleco Vision or Intellivision.

[GoldMutant]

Originally Posted by TigerClaw

In the early 80s, It was all about Atari 2600 Coleco Vision or Intellivision.

Not your generation, the current generation is what snake is saying.

Really weird for them to return, but I'm curious.

[The Deadman]

Originally Posted by TigerClaw

In the early 80s, It was all about Atari 2600 Coleco Vision or Intellivision.

Today's younger crowd doesnt know anything about those. The last Atari console was the Jaguar and that came out in '93....so yeah. Everyone born after 2000 doesnt know anything about those consoles.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Do children and young people today in general even know what Atari is? I didn't know when I was about 10, it was all about Nintendo and SEGA.

Some do, from following "retro gamers" on Youtube. Prolly doesn't matter though, I suspect Atari will be targeting a bit of an older demo anyway.

[sdp]

Atari felt like an ancient console to me when I was a kid and it was only ten years old, the equivalent of the PS3/Wii right now, I wonder if kids today think of the Wii and PS3 as ancient history as well.

I still got into Atari later in life though, I was always a fan of a few games which I played later incarnations of in other consoles and I got the second Atari Flashback console which is now like a decade ago now that I think about it and I fell in love with the console, the games are very simple but very fun for a game or two. And playing with the joystick is so satisfying.

I hadn't seen this thread but like I posted in the general discussion thread, this console won't be competing with the Sony or Microsoft, it's impossible unless they made a deal with say Amazon or Apple which I don't see happening. I also don't think this will be another of those classic Flashback consoles since they've released those pretty much every year for a a decade. I'm guessing it'll be a cheap tablet like product like the Nvidia shield or Switch and compete in that market.

I have to say I'm excited because I'm thinking it could be a fun little gaming product that they release and it could be cheapish around the $100 range. But who knows maybe it's just them licensing the name for some gaming PCs and that comment was only for attention not because they're really making a big hardware product. I'm sure Sega is looking at what they do though to get ideas, because the only way Sega is making new hardware would be on a smaller level that doesn't compete with the big 3.

[DestronMirage22]

Interesting news. Might actually get me to buy a modern day console if it looks good.

And the return of wood-grain sounds bitchin'.
My Super Pong's wood still looks good today with it, and these newer consoles do seem like they're missing something in their designs, so it would be fantastic to see some of that on a new console.

[Coola Yagami]

If the games are cool and the price is good... I might buy it. Who cares if people don't know what Atari is anymore, it's this new console's job to show them what Atari means.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Powder

Some do, from following "retro gamers" on Youtube. Prolly doesn't matter though, I suspect Atari will be targeting a bit of an older demo anyway.

AVGN fans will certainly know what Atari is.

And yeah, like you said, it will mostly target older fans since nostalgia sells a lot nowadays.

Myself? Not really interested. I didn't grow up with the Atari so it means nothing to me.

[Allio]

just gonna have to hope that the games justify the new console.

[The Deadman]

New Atari Console Will Bring "Current Gaming Content" As Well As Classic Titles
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ne.../1100-6451738/

[sdp]

A few new details on Atari’s upcoming Ataribox console have leaked out today. The company has revealed that it’s planning on selling the Ataribox through an Indiegogo campaign this fall for a vague $250 to $300 price range ahead of a spring 2018 release date, according to a report by VentureBeat.

The report also revealed some more information about what to expect from the hardware and software for the Ataribox, which will run a custom AMD processor with Radeon graphics. It will also run Linux as an operating system, with a custom UI on top that will presumably make things a little more user-friendly for a TV interface and controller.

Atari also clarified what gamers will be able to play on the Ataribox. It plans on offering a mix of classic Atari titles and more modern PC games, although the company is cautioning that the Ataribox will only be able compete with more midrange computers — so think smaller titles like Minecraft, not larger AAA ones like Call of Duty.

It's mostly what I thought it would be but more expensive than what I was expecting it and it will also go through crowdfunding, so it has a few hurdles that I don't think it'll be able to pass but I would love if if it did. It'd be nice if it ran Windows 10 so steam was already compatible, make a decent machine and boom you have every hackers perfect emulation machine that can play mid range Steam games.

[tmntfannumerouno]

Originally Posted by Powder

Some do, from following "retro gamers" on Youtube. Prolly doesn't matter though, I suspect Atari will be targeting a bit of an older demo anyway.

Not only that but they had to of seen all the flashback plug and plays too.

[Allio]

with the stiff competition, it's really gonna have to blow us away with a good balance of Exclusives to cross-platform game.

[Candy Kappa]

I'd imagine a lot of kids that's already into gaming or technology, or watches React videos are aware that Atari was this Stone Age console that old people played on. But beyond that probably not so much.

[Andrew NDB]

It's just brand recognition at this point. Is there even a single person at "Atari" now that worked on even the Jaguar, let alone anything before it? Creatively or in any significant position? I could be wrong, but I'm going to say "No way."

I mean, it's a smart move. Do you release the "Altima" system with your startup company... or do you make a deal to bring forth the new Atari system, particularly in a world obsessed with hipster retro nonsense? It gives you press you otherwise wouldn't even begin to have. Plus the retro hipsters' ears perk up.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

The odd thing about this is that the Atari that lives today is just Infogrames who bought the original company (after they went defunct) and renamed themselves after the brand name. But they haven't had a financial success in a long time so how much money do they have now for them to be making a new console?