Injection Mold Cart Shells

[vidak]

I made a post about a month back about making reproductions and got my arse handed to me (hahahah).

 

I still think about the issue of long-term sustainability of Atari 2600 hardware. I realise emulation is very good now, and I do emulate, but I figure starting a discussion about this can't hurt, right?

 

What would it take to make new cart shells for new homebrews?

This is an old issue, as discussed on the Stella Mailing List back in June 1999: http://www.biglist.com/lists/stella/archives/199906/msg00140.html

What we have now that they don't is websites like Alibaba.com, where you can get direct lines of communication to Chinese plastic factories.

 

Apparently injection molds used to cost a lot of money to make. Is that still true? We don't really have the issue of piracy to deal with if we're just making cartridge shells, so we may be able to crowdfund the project.

 

I spoke to my brother about this, and he said it might not be worth the effort. I'm just interested to see what everyone's thoughts on the matter are.

[CPUWIZ]

I think you should make them and share them with AA.

[vidak]

Yeah that's my plan, I want to make them, but from the sounds of it, it will cost a lot of money.

 

I'm reaching for the impossible, really - I'm hoping to make many thousands of them cheaply.

 

While it may cost a lot of money to get started, injection manufacturing allows you to mass produce them very cheaply in large batches.

[CPUWIZ]

Yeah that's my plan, I want to make them, but from the sounds of it, it will cost a lot of money.

 

I'm reaching for the impossible, really - I'm hoping to make many thousands of them cheaply.

 

While it may cost a lot of money to get started, injection manufacturing allows you to mass produce them very cheaply in large batches.

 

Do it! Tons of colors, translucent, the whole shabang.

 

EDIT: In fact, you should make one for 7800 as well, or one that handles both.

[vidak]

Hmm... I think I may need some help.

 

I tried to ask my business-savvy brother what I'd need to do, and like I said he said it may not be worth it.

 

My thinking is I'd just need a lot of money. I'd also need to prove I can actually pull this feat off. I know a lot of people who crowd-fund these sorts of things almost have the project completely completed before they fund. Like they'd already have all the engineers and technicians lined up.

 

My thinking is, I need:

- Money

- A manufacturer

- Some engineers or skilled people

- The molds

 

That's my first reflection on the issue anyway.

[Albert]

I have plans on making shells myself, and have gone through several iterations of prototypes already. It is expensive to have proper molds made and shells produced, but it will save me time in the long run, and not having to sacrifice common 2600 and 7800 games will be nice. I already have contacts for companies that can produce the molds, so it's just a matter of doing some more refinements on the shell I currently have designed and ponying up the money to have a mold made, getting some test samples, and then ordering a production run.

 

..Al

[vidak]

Ahhhh okay. So it's not really necessary for me to do anything.

 

I'd love to help, if you need some, anyway.

 

I would suggest you crowd-fund. AtariAge has a great following and a lot of good-will attached to it, and I'm sure you'd do well if you Kickstarted on went with IndieGoGo etc etc

 

Thanks Albert.

[CPUWIZ]

You could always take out a loan. I bet it would be paid for in no time.

[vidak]

Maybe I will try and take on this project.

 

I'm gonna do some looking around and maybe send some emails to some Chinese factories.

 

I have a friend who speaks Mandarin, and I can get him to translate.

[+cvga]

Maybe I will try and take on this project.

 

 

Looks like this project is well covered. You seem like a nice guy. Why not participate in the forums for awhile and wait for an opportunity? Have some fun and discuss the games!

[vidak]

Yeah, I think you're right.

 

I'm in the process of trying to make a homebrew game. I'm just getting beginners nerves, though. I understand assembly and BASIC well enough, I just need to actually start working on it.

 

I know some people do kind of "declarations" about what game they're going to make, but I can't really decide on what I want to make. I don't really know what makes an Atari 2600 game fun.

 

I know Random Terrain has some web pages on creativity and coming up with games.

 

I've always loved fetch quests and Raiders of the Lost Ark for the 2600, I was thinking of making a similar game.

 

Although THAT has been well covered by games like Anguna.

[RamrodHare]

Yeah, I think you're right.

 

I'm in the process of trying to make a homebrew game. I'm just getting beginners nerves, though. I understand assembly and BASIC well enough, I just need to actually start working on it.

 

I know some people do kind of "declarations" about what game they're going to make, but I can't really decide on what I want to make. I don't really know what makes an Atari 2600 game fun.

 

I know Random Terrain has some web pages on creativity and coming up with games.

 

I've always loved fetch quests and Raiders of the Lost Ark for the 2600, I was thinking of making a similar game.

 

Although THAT has been well covered by games like Anguna.

I have a feeling you'll do fine, once inspiration hits you.

 

I keep telling myself that one day I'll make a game, but it won't ever happen. I got stuck trying to do some minor color and graphic hacks. I just don't have what it takes anymore. Ten or 15 years ago, maybe, but not now.

 

I can't say I have much imagination left and the few game ideas I've came up with, had already been made.

There's such a vast library of games for the 2600 and as you mentioned, some game types already have more than a few variations already out there. The one thing I'd still like to see, is a 1 player version of Combat. The game is already there, it just needs a decent AI. That wouldn't really count as a homebrew, but if you were interested, it would give you something to tinker with.

 

The trick to a good game, is making it fun. Everyone has their opinion on fun, so no one game can be everyone's favorite. The best advice I can think of....Make something you think is fun. Don't worry about everyone else, make a game YOU want to play. Chances are, other people will enjoy it too. If just a handful of people love it, that's a win. Draw your inspiration from things you enjoy, movies, TV shows, comic books, or even other games. Some of my favorite homebrews have been copies of games from other systems. Just remember to have fun making the game. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

[vidak]

Thanks : )

[CrazyChris]

I often wonder about this.

 

1. Back in the day it seemed like every company had their own unique cartridge. Even the more

obscure companies.

 

2. Today, new cartridges are being produced for, Commodore 64, NES, Sega Genisis, and others.

[Albert]

I'd love to help, if you need some, anyway.

 

I would suggest you crowd-fund. AtariAge has a great following and a lot of good-will attached to it, and I'm sure you'd do well if you Kickstarted on went with IndieGoGo etc etc

 

Thanks Albert.

 

Thank you. Yes, I am considering going the crowd-funding route. Could be fun with some interesting rewards for those who support the project.

 

..Al

[PacManPlus]

I'll be in

[+Karl G]

I'd be happy to contribute to this as well if you go the crowd-funding route.

[+groundtrooper]

I would back this 100 times before I would throw a dime at any other dead horse...ie Coleco Chameleon. (Sorry to bring that thing up!)

[hizzy]

I'm in!

 

I have been talking to Chinese manufactures to see what could be done for a while now. I hope there's an affordable, reliable way to work this out

[awhite2600]

I have plans on making shells myself, and have gone through several iterations of prototypes already. It is expensive to have proper molds made and shells produced, but it will save me time in the long run, and not having to sacrifice common 2600 and 7800 games will be nice. I already have contacts for companies that can produce the molds, so it's just a matter of doing some more refinements on the shell I currently have designed and ponying up the money to have a mold made, getting some test samples, and then ordering a production run.

 

..Al

Very cool. Would love to see this happen.

 

 

2. Today, new cartridges are being produced for, Commodore 64, NES, Sega Genisis, and others.

I've always been surprised that shells have been made for other systems. I guess they don't have the overflow of common games in easy to reuse shells like the 2600 does.

[accousticguitar]

There are very few crowd funded projects I would support after having been burned by one, but I would support this one because I know it would get done if Albert was doing it.

[SoulBlazer]

Yup, it's the fact that 2600 games were overproduced in such huge amounts that allows the use of commons.

[Good_Times]

I'll be in

Definitely something worth throwing a few bucks at, yep. ??

[toiletunes]

Crowdfunding? (as SpongeBob would say) I'm ready!

[hizzy]

Do it while I have cash to spend, please!