What's the deal with Star Castle 2600?

[sandmountainslim]

Interesting game

[Dan Iacovelli]

Just have to say I think this has turned out really well, it looks like it's selling like hotcakes! $6,000 and counting! It's gone from a sales model that I really didn't like to an interesting new one - I wonder if any other homebrew authors will be tempted to follow suit?

 

I just noticed this section:

 

a portion of all CD proceeds will be donated to the Stella project to promote continued development.

 

Something I definitely support - I think it's easy for developers to forget how much they depend on some of the excelent tools that have been developed over recent years, and it's great that Stella and Stephen will benefit from this, so a big +1 to scott from me.

it's interesting, if I knew about kickstar I would have definatly used for my own games if I get enough interest in my two games a third one might be possible and I might use it.

[Keatah]

The pricing model is good. At first I thought it ridiculous to have so many options, but only for a minute.

This is good, because it allows you to pick and choose just how much you want to spend and still enjoy the game.

For me it would simply be a rom and the pdf manual. I have absolutely ZERO desire to clutter the area with more cartridges and crap.

 

Hopefully other homebrew authors will follow suit with this.. Another good candidate would be Roland P's upcoming Ballblazer.

 

And perhaps we're seeing a new renaissance in VCS markething. I wonder what Atari thinks, and what other homebrewers are thinking? Fer'sure though the old model of selling homebrews is dead as far as I'm concerned.

[Keatah]

it's interesting, if I knew about kickstar I would have definatly used for my own games if I get enough interest in my two games a third one might be possible and I might use it.

 

Well, you could take your existing games and offer special editions of them like sc is doing. Include extras and rom options. You're kickstarting phase two, that's all!

 

Additionally, I, personally, don't like 1-offs and special editions, when it's gone it's gone type of things, as the only way of acquiring something. "Lesser" versions are just fine. Like the rom options and a cd.

 

Kickstart yourself a CD edition of whatever you made previously.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Keatah

[+5-11under]

it's interesting, if I knew about kickstar I would have definatly used for my own games if I get enough interest in my two games a third one might be possible and I might use it.

 

Well, you could take your existing games and offer special editions of them like sc is doing. Include extras and rom options. You're kickstarting phase two, that's all!

 

Additionally, I, personally, don't like 1-offs and special editions, when it's gone it's gone type of things, as the only way of acquiring something. "Lesser" versions are just fine. Like the rom options and a cd.

 

Kickstart yourself a CD edition of whatever you made previously.

Having a ROM and emulator option is a great idea for a Kickstarter. Many of us have a real 2600, but the rest of the world... not so many. Having an arcade classic, even if not incredibly popular, and an Atari badge doesn't hurt either.

[Dan Iacovelli]

it's interesting, if I knew about kickstar I would have definatly used for my own games if I get enough interest in my two games a third one might be possible and I might use it.

 

Well, you could take your existing games and offer special editions of them like sc is doing. Include extras and rom options. You're kickstarting phase two, that's all!

 

Additionally, I, personally, don't like 1-offs and special editions, when it's gone it's gone type of things, as the only way of acquiring something. "Lesser" versions are just fine. Like the rom options and a cd.

 

Kickstart yourself a CD edition of whatever you made previously.

I just have carts an manuals but I can prob add some Posters I made for VGS good idea thanks.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Dan Iacovelli

[Keatah]

Things to include would be buttons, patches, jackets, coffee cups, teabags. Those water-inflated-swelling fish type things. The sponges that expand. model some of the game elements. T-shirts, hats. candy, posters, mousepads. Surely zazzle or some other small-time operation could help make it practical.

 

This goes for ANY game marketed through kickstart. And you'll need to gussy it up with things like interviews and source codes and pictures of the development station.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Keatah

[Dan Iacovelli]

I have cafepress and lulu.com as my second ary stores (cafepress has my t-shirts and past issues of VGS programs plus jagfest issues as wellas the posters from my shows

,lulu is my new home for my programs and soon my jagfest issues and my new e-zine I'm working on)

[+stephena]

I just noticed this section:

 

a portion of all CD proceeds will be donated to the Stella project to promote continued development.

 

Something I definitely support - I think it's easy for developers to forget how much they depend on some of the excelent tools that have been developed over recent years, and it's great that Stella and Stephen will benefit from this, so a big +1 to scott from me.

 

And thanks in advance for any donations I may receive.

[Gaztee]

So does the kickstarter price include shipping outside the USA? I'm very interested, but live in the UK. And can you combine options. Possibly looking at one as prize for the Atari section of play expo in October, and one for myself

[ComputerSpaceFan]

Wow you even made Engadget! One of my favorite tech websites. Congrats!

[Master Phruby]

I've contributed to the cause. This game looks like fun!

[Numan]

Kotaku just covered Star Castle 2600!!!

 

http://kotaku.com/59...-2600-cartridge

 

That video is going to get you to your goal, made my interest in the project zoom.

[+littaum]

I'm excited to see this get off the ground, it sounds like a win-win from all sides. I've put in my order!

[Godzilla]

where do you go to do that?

[+littaum]

where do you go to do that?

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/698159145/atari-2600-star-castle?ref=home_popular

 

It was actually listed among the "popular" links of all of kickstarter.

[solidcorp]

This is going to happen!!!

 

100% funding in under 4 days!

 

Over 100 cartridges so far and climbing steadily.

 

Star Castle 2600 also appeared on engaget this morning http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/star-castle-atari-2600/

 

Thanks to everyone who helped support the project by contributing or spreading the word!

 

Knowing that it will be successful this early puts me way ahead of schedule and hopefully that will translate to being able to release the CD's and cartridges sooner. <fingers crossed>

 

Thanks again,

 

Scott

[Master Phruby]

Congratulations Scott! This is going to be fantastic. I can't wait to play it.

[TrickmanTerry]

Congratulations Scott!!

[Lord Helmet]

Huge congratulations!

 

I wonder if this bodes well for other homebrew authors...I can think of several arcade games that never made it to the 2600 that would likely do as well as Star Castle...

[+save2600]

Good news! I'll be pledging a $50 cart here after work. That's better than a 99.8% discount from the original $32,768!

[jaybird3rd]

I think one of the factors contributing to the success of this project—it's been played up in a lot of the coverage I've seen—is that Mr. Williamson is an Atari alumnus who has undertaken a new game for one of Atari's classic systems. That gives this project more of a novelty factor than an ordinary homebrew project undertaken by an ordinary hobbyist. I wonder if the success of Star Castle could prompt other Atari alumni to finish some of their long-running projects; someone should forward this to Dave Comstock and see if he wants to start a Kickstarter campaign for his unfinished Cloak & Dagger port for the 5200, for example.

[Pioneer4x4]

If I jump in, I would like a cart and manual, nothing else. How would I proceed? $50 for the cart and stuff is OK, but I really like documentaion, but $100 for the box and everything is getting over my limits for a niche item.

Also, is there a cap on quantity?

[Dan Iacovelli]

yeah, congarts scott. just think if it wasn't for certian video game confernce in iL this all wouldn't be happening

 

Now if we can get a good port of tempest for the 2600(the proto I saw and played wasn't that great)

Edited April 27, 2012 by Dan Iacovelli

[lapetino]

I think one of the factors contributing to the success of this project—it's been played up in a lot of the coverage I've seen—is that Mr. Williamson is an Atari alumnus who has undertaken a new game for one of Atari's classic systems. That gives this project more of a novelty factor than an ordinary homebrew project undertaken by an ordinary hobbyist. I wonder if the success of Star Castle could prompt other Atari alumni to finish some of their long-running projects; someone should forward this to Dave Comstock and see if he wants to start a Kickstarter campaign for his unfinished Cloak & Dagger port for the 5200, for example.

 

I think this is totally true, and other homebrewers should remember that his unique story is a big part of the success. I doubt Kickstarter is just going to be a path to success for any old homebrew, 2600 or otherwise. You will have to do something more unique than merely a new game to reach this kind of success -- it might be a bundle of related games, or a new property tie-in, or a real 2600 as an incentive. Food for thought.