7800 XM Labels

[PacManPlus]

Hi:

 

A thought just occurred to me. I am guessing we will probably want to identify on the label of the games that are 'XM Only' or something along those lines. Should we have a logo? Should we separately identify what parts of the XM are used? (i.e. a logo for '(S)ound', one for '(H)igh Score Cart' compatibility, and one for '(E)xtended Memory') This way (for instance) the games that don't use the extra memory (i.e. Pac-Man Collection Pokey, Donkey Kong Pokey, Super Circus AtariAge, etc.) will have the 'S' and 'H' logos, but not the 'E' one. GroovyBee's Dungeon! will have all three.

 

Just a thought, that's all.

 

Bob

[GroovyBee]

I think some sort of "XM only" logo for the cart is a good idea. Given the small amount of space on a cart label maybe any other icons should be in the manual? In my mind, having too much information on a cart label could impact its artwork.

[Curt Vendel]

Bob,

 

You bring up a GREAT point...

 

Anybody want to jump in and start posting some sample icons that game developers can use to specify XM Compatible

 

Maybe using the XM designator and then afterwords adding icons for High Score, RAM, Audio (covering both Pokey and Yamaha)

 

 

Curt

 

Hi:

 

A thought just occurred to me. I am guessing we will probably want to identify on the label of the games that are 'XM Only' or something along those lines. Should we have a logo? Should we separately identify what parts of the XM are used? (i.e. a logo for '(S)ound', one for '(H)igh Score Cart' compatibility, and one for '(E)xtended Memory') This way (for instance) the games that don't use the extra memory (i.e. Pac-Man Collection Pokey, Donkey Kong Pokey, Super Circus AtariAge, etc.) will have the 'S' and 'H' logos, but not the 'E' one. GroovyBee's Dungeon! will have all three.

 

Just a thought, that's all.

 

Bob

[GroovyBee]

Anybody want to jump in and start posting some sample icons that game developers can use to specify XM Compatible

 

Perhaps it should be an official AA contest?

[jaybird3rd]

(delete; double-post)

[jaybird3rd]

How about these? They're only super-quick label mockups, but perhaps they'll give somebody some ideas.

 

 

I should probably shrink the logo a little bit to make the circles and other text larger and more visible; I'll work on that later.

 

(By the way, the three indicators "H", "M", and "S" stand for "High Score Cartridge", "(expanded) Memory", and "(expanded) Sound").

[+SpiceWare]

Wouldn't supporting the Sound and High Score be XM Enhanced as opposed to XM Only?

 

Edit: got a phone call while posting - looks like jaybird3rd was thinking the same thing I was!

Edited November 2, 2010 by SpiceWare

[Bakasama]

I'm thinking something similar to "Super Game Cartridge" might work. Perhaps a different design for the labels could work too, like changing the top of the label to something else.

Edited November 2, 2010 by Bakasama

[TrekMD]

This is a good idea and perhaps making it a contest is not a bad one either.

[PAC-MAN PRIME]

This is true. Of course there will have to be some kind of designation on games designed for the 7800XM.

 

Jaybird3rd, those look nice! Definitely a fitting theme.

 

Here is something I put together. All just miniscule variations of the same idea. Nothing groundbreaking. Just playing off Jaybird3rd's general concept. But it seemed like still a natural start.

[Retro Rogue]

Keep in mind that you'll want it to conform to the original design standards, since the box for the XM will be doing the same (ala the silver XL era packaging design formats).

[PAC-MAN PRIME]

Ah yes, I forgot to consider that. Thanks!

 

Here are a few more then. I'll add more later.

 

EDIT: Added a couple of end labels.

[jaybird3rd]

Ah, so we're talking about new cartridge labels! I thought we were simply talking about labels (or logos) that would be added to the packaging; I designed mine to be something that would fit in a corner of the box (probably in the lower-left corner). I do like the designs PAC-MAN PRIME has done for the labels.

 

I don't know if it's necessary or not, but if we're going to design new labels and packaging based on the original designs, perhaps it would be a good idea to take the "Atari" name off of them, unless Atari Inc. doesn't object to the use of their name. One way to do that without ruining the original design would be to make the "7800" larger, like in the quick mockups I posted earlier.

 

One other thought: instead of using a flat gray for the cartridge label background, as the Tramiel-era originals did, perhaps a "brushed metal" pattern could be used, especially since the XM will be including an authentic brushed metal faceplate. I found one graphic after a quick search which might make a suitable background (and I'm sure there are many others):

 

[Bakasama]

Maybe the new labels could look like that proto label on Ms. Pac-Man cart. I mean Curt's motif seems to be going for the old style. Some minor changes to the old carts could replace "ATARI 7800 Prosystem" to Pac-Man Primes logo.

Edited November 3, 2010 by Bakasama

[jaybird3rd]

Maybe the new labels could look like that proto label on Ms. Pac-Man cart. I mean Curt motif seems to be going for the old style. Some minor changes to the old carts could replace "ATARI 7800 Prosystem" to Pac-Man Primes logo.

That's a good idea, too. I like the original 1984 label designs better than the later ones.

[PAC-MAN PRIME]

Great ideas guys! Here are a few based on your suggestions.

[Spurge]

Geeze you guys are telented! They look great.

[jaybird3rd]

Wow, very good job! I like the brushed-metal-background label, but those 1984-style labels really look nice! I especially like the one with the rainbow "Enhanced" banner.

[PAC-MAN PRIME]

Thanks guys, glad you like 'em.

 

I'm having fun with these! Here's more of a mock-up, featuring my favorite of them all!!!

 

 

EDIT: End label added.

[PacManPlus]

Those are *AWESOME*

 

ok - my vote goes to the labels just above this post

[Spurge]

They do look great, and my vote goes for the same as PacManPlus.

 

I was thinking there may even need to be a sticky of any current or future games being made for the XM. That way people can keep progress of titles and even add comments etc.

[tep392]

Great label Pac-man Prime!

 

There's one thing I need to point out about my pokey edition that I don't believe has been discussed in the PMC-Pokey thread. I had to remove the original TIA generated sounds to make space for the POKEY code. So if the game is burned to a non-Pokey cart, it will only work with the XM. Without the XM, there will be no sound, so this would technically be an "XM required" game. I could throw the TIA code back in so it would work with or without the XM, but it would bump the ROM requirement from 32k to 48k. I'm not sure what that would mean in terms of cartidge cost or parts availability.

 

There needs to be some discussion on how this will be released and if needed, I could add the TIA stuff back in.

 

Perry

Edited November 3, 2010 by tep392

[TrekMD]

Very nice label designs! Awesome work!

[+MattelAquarius]

This whole XM thing is really giving me momentary reversions to my 10 year old self. This is exactly the kind of stuff I would stare at in a catalog for hours while watching tv, just dreaming about what's coming down the road. I'd also be plotting my begging strategy to use against my parents.

 

XM is going to be a lot of fun.

[KevinMos3]

The label in post #19 looks great. The only thing I don't like is the purple 7800. It just doesn't look 7800 to me. I really feel like it should be dark red/maroon like in post #10. Anyway, awesome job!

 

I really like jaybird's method of showing what features of the XM are used. Combining that with parts of PAC-MAN PRIME's design would be just about perfect.

Edited November 3, 2010 by KevinMos3