solidcorp

I need to focus on getting everyone who I've already promised a game their cartridges. Beyond that, there are a lot of moving pieces to getting this game out there - not only printed boxes, liners, labels, and manuals, but a custom cart with LED's and a clear shell which has been non trivial to produce. Nothing is impossible, but I need to stay focused on my obligations now.

I'm nothting but proud of every aspect of this project and seeing a Star Castle 2600 cartridge sell for more than I sold it for would make me even prouder. I can't remember any title that I've done that has appreciated in value. I'd consider it flattery. I'm still amazed that in over 300 people bought Atari cartridges that I made, and I'm getting several requests a week for more that I have to turn away.

I just sent an email to Joel Fashingbauer, VP Product Development at Atari Inc. asking permission to release the RoadBlasters, Toki, and S.T.U.N. Runner source materials to the Lynx home brew community. Lets all cross our fingers.

I am making some extra carts for myself, I always try to keep some original boxed sealed units of all the games I've done. As far as spares to sell on eBay are concerned, I have a better idea in the works but I'll keep that to myself for the moment . Right now I just need to focus on making sure everyone who has already ordered the game gets it as soon as possible.

You should request that on the Kickstarter site, people could share their custom screens or give me permission to share the screens.

We actually considered 3D printed shells and made some using stereo lithography on a commercial machine. We also considered extruded plastic (MakerBot / RepRap...) but I didn't care for the results and opted for casting. The ones we printed (amazingly I never took pictures of them) looked like they came out of MineCraft, all voxely, and each layer of material was clearly visible - they were almost like mini plastic wicker carts. We couldn't make an optically clear surface either - the Star Castle 2600 cartridges are frosted on the inside to diffuse the light but there is a clear window in the bottom to see the serial number on the PCB. Fred Quimby has a design, CAD and STL files for a 3D printed cart. It's discussed on another thread here. Don't get me wrong, I love 3D printing, I just ordered a MakerBot Replicator 2 for my Dad for Christmas - I can't wait for him to get it, he's a good sharer D. Scott Williamson

Not as far as I know. The entire run is under 350 units, and everywhere I looked it would cost $10,000-$20,000 to machine the injection molds for the carts. No one wanted to bother with such a short run either, I'll take that as a sign the economy is getting better I guess. The per unit cost is very low, but the number of units was not high enough to overcome the cost of the molds. I did not look overseas either, that may also have been an option - well an option to either get them made cheaper or get ripped off. As it is it is the cleanup on the cast shells is very laborious and I would enjoy receiving finished cartridges ready for assembly, but I don't regret doing it for a minute.

Hi folks, I just posted a Kickstarter update for the project: 59% of all Kickstarter orders have been fulfilled including over 40% of the custom made cartridges. I'd like to thank those of you who have received your cartridges for your kind words and thank those of you who have yet to receive yours for your patience. We are now averaging 20-30 cartridges a week and every week we make more cartridges than the previous week. Cartridges are being made as fast as the shells can be cast and we are casting in many molds simultaneously. Orders are being fulfilled in order of pledge amount and order chronology within each pledge level. Each cartridge is hand made and I have to say, I am proud of each and every one I'm sending out. ... Then there are some more pictures of cartridge production. I'm really sorry about the delay folks, thanks for your patience, I know it's been a long wait. If I could cast the shells any faster I would, but at least I think the finished products are turning out great and I'm really proud of each and every one. I just thought I'd let you guys here know too. Also I understand quite a few people have started Atari 2600 development since they received the Star Castle 2600 CD and a couple have asked where to get information about development and possibly selling a homebrew games etc. Of course I sent them right here to Atari Age. D. Scott Williamson

Well, the NES came out in the US in 86, I graduated high school in 85 and I was a freshman or sophomore I think when this commercial was airing. I remember using my friend Burt's Atari 400 to program the Space Munchies joke game at his house before I had my computer.

No, it was earlier, I'm guessing 1979-1981-ish maybe Colecovision or Intellivision, but way before NES.

Hah, I didn't know that, but the Space Munchies in the commercial resembled PacMan *I think*. I hope someone someday can come up with a link to this lost treasure.

I remember a TV commercial from the early 80's where I think a drill seargent barges in on some kids and asks them what they're playing, they say "Space Munchies" and he gives them the new game saying something like "This aint no namby pamby video game!" . Does anyone remember this?! I've looked at every 2600 commercial on youtube and probably the rest of the web (including many copies of the Jack Black and Phil Heartman commercials) and can't find it. I have a feeling it may have been an alternalte Chopper Command commercial or maybe it was even for another game system. It prompted me to write one of my first BASIC games on the Atari 400 - a joke version of Space Munchies, long lost on a tape in a landfill somewhere. I sure would like to see that commercial again.

Me too ( I ported it to the Lynx )

http://www.textfiles.com/games/ATARIMAIL/

What does a cart shell have to cost to be economical? (apiece? per 100?)

I was just listening to Asteroids by Damaskas and had to laugh when I heard Star Castle mentioned in the song.

I don't think cd-w should change the title. The title screen is really nice.

You can get coin op parts from Souzo Happ Buttons, Joysticks, Trackballs (not really Atari 2600 friendly but cool), T Molding (for a nice edge) If you want to make one to use on your PC with emulators, I love the I-PAC and OptiPac interfaces from Ultimarc. They also used to have really good 4 way/8 way top changing joysticks. This is a deep hole to start down but it can be a really fun one. Good luck.

Good point, considering options... Everyone who pledged $20 or more for Star Castle 2600 on Kickstarter should check their email. Enjoy! D. Scott Williamson

Me too! I only have seen one so far and it's pretty cool. There will be six - one was ordered by a good friend of mine who is refusing to do his own artwork (Booo!), does anyone out there feel like making some awesome 48x38 monochrome title graphics for him?

Good point, considering options...

Hahahahahaha!

Sorry, I didn't see this message until today... I actually took a 5 day weekend to work on Star Castle exclusively and the download page is almost ready. I've been working on the production prep for Star Castle 2600 exclusively since last Thursday. It would have been done sooner except I ran into some snags on the Mac, but I got some pro help (THANKS!) and it should be good to go very soon. The "Est. Delivery" is "May 2012" and you should expect an email very soon. Thanks for your patience. Scott

Very cool. We're a step closer to mp3 playback Do you have any demos that use non chiptune/techno samples, like something with conventional instruments and human voice?

Today is your last chance to order Star Castle 2600! Less than 24 hours left before the Kickstarter campaign is over! That was shameless. On a cooler note, I've been talking to Ben Fry and he has agreed to do a distellamap of the game! That's very cool. If you haven't seen them, check them out here: http://benfry.com/distellamap/