Retroblox

[phoenixdownita]

"Why do we need it, and what problem does it solve?"

 

....

 

"Will it work at all?" Was a question we asked when Hybrid Emulation was the buzzword. Now the question is "What does this do better?" This is the Ataribox problem... when your end design is essentially a PC, it's hard to give people a reason to NOT buy a PC.

So obviously hybrid emulation was/is BS at this stage, it is a PC no question about it (running Linux as per their own FAQ page), if the price/convenience of the pre-setup is just about right it may work out.

 

I would not mind a cheap (sub 200) "all-in-one" PC based pre-set emu box, it is just that their vaunted 30 systems of compatibility is only correct when you account for US/EU/JP variations and for the PC-Engine CD when you also split out Normal-CD/Super-CD/Arcade-CD ... which for an emu based PC makes absolutely no sense, so the list of compatibility is much much shorter:

• Genesis/MD (but who knows it the cart module would be released, so maybe jailbreak only)
• 32x (supposedly the exact same module as above so ...)
• SegaCD/MegaCD
• SegaCD 32x/MegaCD 32x (lol ... sure why not)
• PC Engine (same issue about the cart module as the Genny/MD .... maybe jailbreak only)
• SuperGrafx (supposedly the exact same module as above so ...)
• PC engine CD (normal, super & arcade)
• NeoGeo CD
• Nes (but who knows it the cart module would be released + no explicit famicom [different slot lol] so back to jailbreak maybe)
• Snes (but who knows it the cart module would be released, so maybe jailbreak only)
• PS1
• Saturn

I count 12 systems, 6 of which are via 4 extra modules, so 6 systems (just 5 as the Sega CD 32x is really a joke) on CD only platform .... (unclear why they don't allow Master System, SG1000 ... oh wait .. more cart slots .... once more maybe jailbreak ... would be ironic if they copy the cart adapters of the MegaSG or just use them as is on the Genny module ... lol).

Given their own campaign did not unlock anything past the basics anything else is just not happening.

 

This thing is an emu PC and I bet it'll be hacked even before it launches .... which may be a good thing after all, they sell HW [sFF PC + CDROM reader in a relatively pleasing package: black brick with slot loading CD on the front], the rest is fluff.

 

And yeah ... the store thing ... non starter.

 

Wrt CPU swap ... LOL ... also non starter, it is not gonna be socketed, it makes no financial sense, it's just a marketing way to give backers a warm and fuzzy feeling of "future proofing" hence the need for special authorized shops ... which also makes no sense (you won't find any).

[phoenixdownita]

On a totally different note when would these kind of people make sure their own website is up to date with their ever changing targets?
(captured today on the https://www.polymega.com/faq/ page)

WILL EVERDRIVES, GAME GENIES AND MULTI-GAME CARTS WORK WITH POLYMEGA™?

Yes, and no. The team at Playmaji has spent a good amount of effort on a piece of technology called Active Cartridge Reading, an experimental subset of Hybrid Emulation that allows you to use any games or peripherals that work on a real classic console using a live blend of software-based emulation and memory mapped hardware. This technology, while it exists, is not yet fast enough for some of Polymega’s supported systems, and would result in a degraded overall experience if launched prematurely.
Now, support for game cartridges with on board DSP chips such as Everdrives, Starfox, or live-reading of devices like Game Genies is blended.
First, we’ve licensed standard DSP-compatible emulators for systems with those types of cartridges, which will allow games with special chips to be played via software emulation. That means you can now play backed up games such as StarFox and others regardless of whether you have the cartridge inserted, a convenience that most gamers will appreciate. We’ve also added a software-based Game Genie and Pro Action Replay as a reward level for supporting the console beyond its initial funding goals. The Super Game Boy is no longer compatible with the EM02 SNES SFC module, however, we have set up a GB / GBC / GBA module as an additional reward tier if reached.
Second, certain systems are going to be FPGA based. The first example of this is going to be the dedicated Famicom module, which will be released after the launch of the system. Famicom is particularly important to be implemented in this manner as it included accessories such as the Famicom Disk System (FDS), which was a critical part of its library and one that we will not be creating a dedicated module for. The tech to support FPGA modules is built in to the launch version of the Polymega™ Base Unit, and we may continue to release other FPGA modules in the future. FPGA modules will have a slightly higher price point than standard modules.
This decision / change overall has freed up our team to focus on matters that more factually push the needle in terms of overall system compatibility, as evidenced by our recently-announced support for the Sega Saturn, adding over one thousand new compatible games to Polymega™. What made this possible is that by removing the larger size FPGA from the base unit, we were able to opt for a higher clock-speed dual core chip rather than a slower quad-core chip for the main CPU, which now opens up the door to more demanding systems like Saturn, N64, Dreamcast, and more — which is what many people have expressed to us that they want.
Multicarts will be tested on a game by game basis and a compatibility list will be produced for all systems prior to the launch of Polymega™, but we only can confirm compatibility with officially licensed games at this point in time.

WILL POLYMEGA™ SUPPORT PLAYSTATION 2, N64, GAMECUBE OR THE WII

We have no intention of supporting most of these systems at this time.


CAN I STILL TWITCH / YOUTUBE STREAM DIRECTLY FROM THE SYSTEM?

While Polymega™ has vastly increased its single core performance clock speed, we’ve reduced the number of cores available for non-emulation system processes such as encoding video for streaming. That means the previously planned streaming features will now move back into the experimental column until we can determine that it is fully compatible when the machine is running computationally demanding emulators such as Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, and N64 in the future. With Polymega™’s current set of supported systems, we believe this feature can be optimized enough to deliver it as a post-launch update, but depending on the systems unlocked during the pre-order rewards, the testing requirements may change. We will keep you posted after the completion of the pre-order campaign.

[VintageGamer74]

One of reasons I was excited when I first heard about this was because of fpga, modules and uniqueness of the system. When this all changed I definitely pulled back from backing it. I know a couple of friends who were also were excited but now it's basically a PC and that has quelled their excitement too. I'm not dogging them but if I can build a small form factor PC, why do I need this machine it's current form. Most gamers that I know are younger than me and are happy to emulate because they don't want to buy any games. They just want to play old games and move on... Sadly.

 

Who are these authorized centers swapping out the the CPU? I just don't see this selling anymore than 5,000 units at best. If I'm wrong? I'm wrong but my point is with such a small installed user base. Who is going to partner with them with little to no money being made. Wouldn't be easier for the user to switch it out themselves? I think most folks are capable or know someone who can help this swap.

 

Lastly, with a negligible installed user base; What mainstream publisher will partner with them to license their IPs to them with no almost no chance at making a profit.

 

Rant over. Good luck to them.

[Flojomojo]

....

Lastly, with a negligible installed user base; What mainstream publisher will partner with them to license their IPs to them with no almost no chance at making a profit.

 

Rant over. Good luck to them.

 

As a middle-aged slacker who likes old video games, it's hard for me to fully understand the ambitions of the people involved, but I have a feeling this isn't the usual supplier-consumer paradigm.

 

Like with the AtariBox, I have a feeling the real customer here is NOT the people paying for pre-orders for the purpose of playing old games. Polymega has taken a bunch of angel investor money and that's the "audience of one" that they really need to impress. The creator is building up resume cred for future projects, the venture capitalist can pretend he's doing something innovative for history or something, and maybe the hardware product will be enough not to be a permanent embarrassment for everyone involved.

 

If I'm wrong and this becomes the connoisseur's solution for retro gaming, yay for PolyMetaMegamind, I can honestly say that I never expected that!

[Keatah]

Connoisseur's solution my ass! Not for $200..

[VintageGamer74]

@Flojomojo Never thought of that but not a smart way to invest your money unless Polymega over sold what they had and how many backers they thought they could get. Maybe both parties are delusional? Either way seems far fetched at best to see this becoming a mainstream product selling hundreds of thousands. ?

 

I'm also a gamer from way back but I'm glad nostalgia didn't cloud my judgement on purchasing this project/product.

[Flojomojo]

Yup ...for all we know, maybe someone like the "hybrid emulation" patent co-holder is playing the Retroblox managers and funders, just like we are seeing with AtariBox.

 

Perhaps the Feargal Mac vs Ataribox lawsuit will shed a little indirect light on this.

[DurradonXylles]

Yup ...for all we know, maybe someone like the "hybrid emulation" patent co-holder is playing the Retroblox managers and funders, just like we are seeing with AtariBox.

 

Perhaps the Feargal Mac vs Ataribox lawsuit will shed a little indirect light on this.

 

It's really damned weird how this particular shady crowdfunder is running parallel with two others with the strangest ties together. This project shares Rob Wyatt with AtariBox; AtariBox shares AMD partnership with Smach Z, as well as the recent upgrade to the just released Ryzen v1000 embedded chipset. This is the shittiest game of "Six Degrees of Separation" I've ever played.

[DurradonXylles]

Analogue Mega Sg review units were received by the press today, can you tell?

 

 

I think someone put salt instead of sugar into their coffee when they woke up.

[elmer]

I think someone put salt instead of sugar into their coffee when they woke up.

Someone should just post a picture back to them of an off-the-shelf Dell/Hewlett Packard SFF PC with that same cartridge and CD games.

[godslabrat]

They really seem to think the hobby is full of 32X fans

[Flojomojo]

They really seem to think the hobby is full of 32X fans

Doubtless they're just trying to differentiate themselves from the standard software emulators.

 

Nobody tell them that my Tegra-based OUYA from 2012 played 32X games perfectly.

[Keatah]

They really seem to think the hobby is full of 32X fans

I think the vintage gaming hobby IS focusing more the 32X (and Genesis in general) at the moment.

[DurradonXylles]

They really seem to think the hobby is full of 32X fans

 

Doubtless they're just trying to differentiate themselves from the standard software emulators.

 

Nobody tell them that my Tegra-based OUYA from 2012 played 32X games perfectly.

 

I think the vintage gaming hobby IS focusing more the 32X (and Genesis in general) at the moment.

 

 

I really enjoy the 32x; I even own one that I bought on eBay some years back that came with Knuckles Chaotix, Kolibri, Metal Head, Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000, Space Harrier, Virtua Racing Deluxe and Star Wars Arcade, and played them numerous times on my old, craptastic, 18" GE tube TV from 1983. While I would like the option to play those carts on a HD television, I can forgive the fact that almost every Sega Genesis clone system forgoes compatibility with it because it's an utter pain in the ass to deal with.

 

Considering the solution with the Polymega is just ripping the ROM from those carts to store them on a SD card or SSD, I'm no better off buying a new Retrode 2 from DragonBoxShop and hooking it up to my PC.

 

At this point, I'm just hoping that Kevtris would make a 32x core for the Mega Sg just to shut Playmaji up as well as be able to actually play those games, and my CD 32X copy of Farenheit, in HD, obviously.

[Flojomojo]

Same -- I'd get way more pleasure from seeing retroblox humiliated than I would from playing 32x games in 2019.

 

How sad that a schadenboner is more fun than a video game!

[godslabrat]

Back when the Blox was first announced, they used TG-16 as their featured console and the one that would make it all worthwhile. Then Playmaji literally said "There's no point with Turbografix, you might as well just emulate."

 

These guys just don't say the same thing month to month.

[phoenixdownita]

Yeah .. they should definitely cut the antics, Analogue called them off on their hybrid bs and Analogue was right, hybrid is not shipping so stop being a kid.

Now they have a neat SFF PC which can play CDs from the get go (that's relatively novel if they don't fuxx it up) and they should focus on shipping that rather than the pointless bickering, if they want any of my money they have to ship, I ain't giving them any money in advance!

For all I know in 2 months they may change their mind and decide that Intel is too expensive and AMD is the new partner because reasons, so they need a new board to make it even "betterer", but stay tuned etc....

[kevtris]

Well they show a thing with a cart in it, but no footage of it running or anything.

[RetrogamerX]

Well they show a thing with a cart in it, but no footage of it running or anything.

 

Youll never see the footage because the polymega will never release. The whole thing is a complete joke from the very start. Lies after lies. When will this end? The backers will be the real tragedy. Edited March 26, 2019 by RetrogamerX

[thedoppelganger]

I've lurked without commenting as all this has unfolded. I'd really like this to be a success, but then I'd also like it to be what was originally promised 3 years ago. OMG have I really been watching this thing for 3 years. I hope Polymega do read this thread - I don't and won't do Twitter (just a lurker...) so I can't point them here. It needs to be flash cart compatible and/or play ROMS. The Collectorvision Phoenix has got my attention now - it promises FPGA Atari 2600VCS and Coleco/ADAM support - all of which Polymega promised in their original (now deleted) forums. Here's a fantasy - Polymega have said they would welcome third party modules - what about getting together with Collectorvision. There will be no pre order from me unless and until it's a real product that does everything that was promised and is available and testable hands-on at retail. Aside from my VCS and my Coleco (which I sold to pay for my upgrade to SMS) I still have all my consoles and they all still work. So the one box HD thing appeals but it will never happen.

Edited March 26, 2019 by thedoppelganger

[godslabrat]

PolyMega's reading this thread. Worry not.

[godslabrat]

 

Needs moar speakers.

[Newsdee]

Lame, it has no speakers

[derFunkenstein]

So much drudgery to wade through in their little NES game contest, so little desire to play another half-baked home brew. http://arcade.thenew8bitheroes.com/

[atm94404]

I do find it funny how they think their videos of a single box playing some games totally exonerates them. If anybody on this forum had eight months and over half a million dollars, they could make a box that does what they've shown. Even Mike Kennedy (with a couple of days and maybe $50 worth of parts) was able to fool people with his SNES-in-a-Jag for a little while. He was only caught because he couldn't resist gloating by posting videos that accidentally showed the back of the box. Even if you had no technical skills, you could figure out how to make such a box they've shown from watching Youtube videos. Playing NeoGeo CDs? I can do that with an 17 year-old OG Xbox that anybody can buy for $30 at a thrift store. Anybody can install Mednafen on an Intel PC and play Saturn games. Making a PC interface for cartridges? Tons of videos doing that for fun or as a learning exercise (or disproving faked Atari 2600 records) with RPi kits. Check out Element14 and Ben Heck videos.

 

Now if you had $500,000 and eight months (at least), could you have a (slightly) custom PC motherboard and enclosure made that you could have a production run of a few thousand? Possibly, although given that this company of ever-shifting employees has never produced anything remotely equivalent, it's much less likely. GPD does this sort of thing with relative success, but Kickstarter is littered with failures similar to just the hardware of what Playmaji is promising. The fact they are opening up for another round of pre-orders before shipping actual hardware makes me think they simply don't have the money to actually manufacture the hardware.

 

Now, given $500,000 and eight months and the tiny group at Playmaji (with seemingly more ex-engineers and marketing people than employed engineers) capable of producing 10+ (or 30 in Polymega math) LEGAL emulators on their own? If they had said they were licensing all their emulators, I would say they were being more realistic and possibly had a chance at success. They licensed the Saturn emulator, but do you think without resorting to using open-source emulators they can write 10+ systems including some which require a clone HLE BIOS? Pretty much impossible (unless right next to the "Core Store" there is an "HLE BIOS Store" on that same street with the old Chinese shop that won't sell you Gizmo because "Mogwais require great responsibility"). So maybe they can ship their box with just Saturn emulation, but the Playstation and PC Engine will be stuck in permanent "coming soon" mode. They might be softening their customers up for that reality with their admission that PSX emulation is only at "90%" right now. The emulation for the Playstation, Saturn, and PC Engine will definitely get scrutinized by the lawyers of the respective companies so they can't risk going the open-source route and using a real BIOS. As for the cartridge systems, it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to release with open-source emulators they didn't properly license (like the Retron 5 allegedly did).

 

It's one thing to show a one-off prototype, it's quite another to mass-produce and ship a finished, legal product. See the Vega+ for how that usually goes even when the makers eventually do ship *something*.