Lodmot

True, we don't know how hot it's runnning. I just don't want to assume anything though until I can see it in front of me. That's screwed me over before. xD

Well, it boots up Windows-- so technically you'd be right. o u o

Ehh....... maybe...? I dunno... Even with all the illogical/unethical decisions Atari's made over 2 years, I think it's a tad extreme to think Atari would prep a "fake functional" motherboard just to trick us. Also, that heatsink in the actual motherboard they showed off would have to fit on the so-called "generic x86 board" that they supposedly stuffed into the shell. Not to mention, prepping other things like the USB ports and the front LED, etc. It just seems like a lot of trouble just to fake people out, you know? But who knows... Not saying it's impossible though.

The example you gave with the gaming laptop is exactly how I was picturing the console working. But yeah, like you said, their communication with us is awful, and that's really what's causing all this skepticism. Frankly, Atari may be showing a legitimate console here, but they have literally no idea what they're doing and they're just pissing everyone off by not answering our concerns, lashing out at those that challenge them by either removing their comments, blocking them or making stupid comments about YouTuber's and credible journalists.

Because Sony's stubborn, and they still think they can rule the video game market like it's 2000, when the PS2 was like the biggest thing ever. xD

Well, they're in 3rd place unfortunately. Wishing them luck. o u o

No problem. o u o So basically, the fan on the processor isn't blowing air upwards, the air is being forced out the side into that black passageway, which guides it out the back of the console. It's an air duct... o w o But my point earlier was, it appears to be a specialized heatsink built specifically for the VCS. If you cram another x86 board inside the VCS shell to try and "fake" footage or something, you need to have a heatsink setup on that motherboard that accommodates the smaller VCS casing. Hope that clears it up a bit more..

But they have a passageway that leads hot air out the rear, see?: (I know, I'm setting myself up xD)

I'm not contorting it into "they have working hardware". I'm trying to say it's a possibility that they have working hardware, and it would be highly impractical for them to "fake a console" by building an "alternate working" console. It doesn't make sense to me. Plus, what about my other point about keeping the system cool, because that WOULD be a necessity. If you're going to schlup another x86 board in that VCS casing (even a small Arduino x86 board), your heat sink is pointing upward, while the vents in the VCS casing are on the rear:

Even though my gut instinct is telling me their footage is probably authentic and they weren't faking it, that act of giving you the cold shoulder is precisely why everyone is skeptical. Atari doesn't realize exactly how much they're just shooting themselves in the foot (actually, more like shooting themselves in the chest) by not answering the majority of the public's concerns. It's exactly why I stopped working on my VCS game for their platform. To be fair to Atari though, they aren't the only company coming out with a game console with literally zero exclusive games. Look at the Xbox Series X. I have a feeling Microsoft is going to fuck themselves over royally with that one.

I'm almost 100% certain Atari was outboarding (by the way, we had easy access to an email address at the CES website for reporting that stuff..... Anyone here utilize it?) I can agree that its possible for Atari to fake the gameplay footage still, but I personally dont feel it's too likely at this point. Also, dont forget that a fake x86 board running inside the VCS casing is still a functional board nonetheless-- that means it's generating heat and needs a cooling system of some kind that happens to perfectly match with the casing's air vent placement. If anyone here has built a computer before, you'll know how important airflow is to keep things cool. A regular heatsink on a generic x86 board usually points upward, not sideways. Otherwise, Atari probably had demo units shutting down suddenly pretty often. Lol. As much as i am skeptical about Atari delivering anything to me, let alone delivering a GOOD console, my gut is telling me that their bootup/gameplay footage was more than likely authentic-- as rough and slapped together as it was. Going through the trouble to find another x86 board that happens to fit and function inside that extremely compact VCS case just seems impractical and unlikely to me (unless it was a raspberry pi, but that doesnt run windows or the Atari Vault). But that all being said, I'm leaving the door wide open for anyone to convince me otherwise and be like "ahh.......... gotcha.... sorry... o w o".

I actually think having a console sized PC for your TV is a nifty idea. I already have a Sega-themed one that i built in my basement. Lol.

Just checked the pic again, the LED is definitely on in the front (albeit not brightly lol xD).

I sent him a message just out of curiosity. If he was invited by Atari to look at the console, I'm not expecting any kind of response (he probably had to sign an agreement of some sort to not talk about it to anyone), but I thought I'd try anyway..

I wonder how feasible it would be to get in contact with Nathan Kirsch, just to see what his experience was with the console in person.

Nah, in today's day and age, there's internet friends. o u o I also met quite a few online friends in real life, too. And they all were just as cool as when I would talk to them online. ;o We also have more access to video calling these days.

But isn't this fun? o u o I made so many new friends thanks to this fiasco. 8D

Oh, i don't just dare..... ........ Also, WISH MY BALL OF LINT A HAPPY BIURTHDAY! >:0

I want Atari to wish my tiny ball of lint happy birthday. It just turned one day old. o u o

There is no way in hell he's actually serious xDDD

Hey, welcome back. o u o How was your long break from the taco thread? ;D

I dunno, that just sounds kinda odd to me... If Atari was able to figure out how to seamlessly install a completely different x86-compatible board in the VCS, why not just ship the console with that board instead, rather than going through all the trouble to make a new board with the help of Rob Wyatt (whom they now owe money to)? Just seems like a hell of a lot of trouble just so they can trick people... They can only keep going with this schpeel for so long before they either run out of money or get sued, etc.

If it is indeed faked like you're suggesting, then Atari's going to have a big problem on their shoulders with lawsuits and everything. At this point, I frankly doubt it's fake anymore-- just poorly poorly presented to us (it's clear at this point their PR team is socially awkward). Also, if they indeed crammed a different x86 board into the VCS shell, then why not just have that produced as part of the real console? It would technically work. Lol. Kingston and PowerA are third party companies with real products on the market. I imagine if they associated their name with Atari, and it turned out Atari scammed backers of $3 million, their companies will lose a lot of stock value. I'm not saying anyone calling this fake is wrong, but if it is indeed a fake-out, and a scam, then this is probably going to put a few companies in the toilet, in effect making this to be one of the absolute worst money-making schemes in video game history. At that point, I would find it hard to believe Atari is being ran by actual people, and not just some pre-programmed cloud-based AI system. Lol...

I agree, I would too. It sucks it isn't an actual video.. Looking up the Atari Vault on a quick Google search though, it does appear they have a Linux version for it. So it should've been pretty easy for them to do.

So I found what probably could be considered the least sketchy picture of the Atari VCS running. The image below is from Kingston's official Twitter (so finally, a different source besides Atari themselves :P). You can see the system running the Atari Vault, and there are only two cables in the shot-- one running out the back of the console up to the TV, and the other coming out the front for the game controller. I know it's just a photo, which can easily be tampered with, but this is the best we have to go by. Also, it's comforting that it's finally NOT from Atari...