justclaws

I was reading the Atari GameJolt announcement again, because I was looking at a game there, and I realised that there is a clear description of what Atari and GameJolt plan. I had forgotten... https://atarivcs.com/game-jolt "As part of the agreement, Game Jolt will work with individual developers to co-publish new games on the Atari VCS. The Atari VCS Store will feature a “Presented by Game Jolt” section to highlight game titles that came from the platform, and the partners expect to feature Game Jolt-incubated titles at launch. These titles will be fully-supported using Atari’s formidable PR, promotional and social community reach, with the intent to shine the spotlight on fun, inventive games and their creators."

Oh, that is a huge difference!t So, the next questions, did you try the speedtest also from Windows 10 on the VCS, with same results, and on AtariOS, did you also get a slow but reliable connection, or a slow connection due to WIFI drops? I get faster Ethernet too, but not that much difference. My WIFI problem is my home location, where I have 11-15 other WIFI routers from neighbours, competing.

Me, I've just got SpearMaster, and it's CHALLENGING, and it will take ME a while... Also, I've just started to play the new updated Guntech. I don't have all the games, but maybe this video gives you some ideas what to play! This video is from "Games Just Wanna Be FUN". 🙂

Are we talking about the same one? I am referring to the OLD Atari XL Boulder Dash in Antstream Arcade, not the Boulder Dash update for the VCS, and also AFTER the Antstream arcade update. I'm not sure how many versions there are, on the Antstream Arcade platform! Of course, it could also be that it was a temporary glitch in Antstream, but it worked fine on the modern controller. I'll test it again, and I intended to report it the bug on the Antstream Discord. There were some other games, the same, but it was not logical to me, if one game works, why another would not.

This "game" got a major new update on the VCS, just after the AtariOS update was released. The classic controller now works from login and in the games. That's a big problem resolved. * I have found a couple of random games so far where the classic controller does not work. e.g. Boulder Dash, Atari XL version. Other Atari XL games work fine, so it makes no sense... * I would like to be able to login using the keyboard, but in this update, that does not work. Antstream Arcade also have a Discord channel, like Atari and most other VCS developers, so it's also possible to report bugs, or get support, direct from Antstream, which is helpful.

Just to confirm, the WIFI behaviour changed with the AtariOS update. (I see this from first-hand testing.) Although I had few problems with the WIFI, for sure there were regular disconnects, so I switched to Ethernet pending a fix, and since the update, I switched back to WIFI to check, and indeed the problem is totally gone. I have downloaded from the store, streamed video, and used Chrome, and not once did I have any problem. I think bigger antennae with longer wires would be a useful improvement in later revisions of the hardware. If you previously had issues with WIFI on AtariOS, I would also encourage you to try it again, if you need to. I now have my VCS on WIFI, instead of Ethernet. The last couple of days, I had no WIFI problems whatsoever. Oh, one half-related point also. Atari wrote there are some updates in VCS store presentations for some games, with new photos, videos. There are a few images or videos which temporarily don't load, and I saw only grey pattern for them. That is because the back-end image/video is missing, not because of a network fault. (Maybe they've gone by now.)

They did, but the problem was never hardware, with some possible exceptions. It was software, because it worked perfectly in Windows 10 and on Linux (some with a config fix) but happily, since the AtariOS update, it is now working perfectly in AtariOS. I've proved this all first-hand.

Yes, several of the games for the VCS were until now only for Windows, via Steam. It's good to see that developers are specifically building new versions for the VCS, and this is also of benefit to Linux gaming, by legitimising it further as a platform. (In another thread, WonderOS was mentioned. I hoped that WonderOS would be a way to help Android developers also to bring their games to the AtariVCS, not via an Android sub-system for AtariOS, but as a help in building new native versions. As a gaming platform, I hate Android; it's too bloated, but some games are great.)

I just found a series of YouTube videos which explain the game in more detail. There is a whole set of features in the game which I had no idea about. The videos in the play-list cover: - customer requests - I thought the store was unnecessary, but DOH. - dev cards - playing a mash - glitches (not bugs in the game - glitches are a feature in the game!) There are still some controller oddities on the VCS - like pressing BACK to start the game, but those need an update by the developer of course, and the game is playable no problem but a patch for those cosmetic things is pending. I hope DigitalContinue have news soon.

It's a pity that the person who sold you the VCS could not have sent the invitation Atari sent them, in email, to you? Maybe that's still possible. The invite link is per-owner, one-time, but they can get a replacement... Did you get an Onyx or one of the 6,000 collectors editions? My intention has always been to try to help fellow owners here, by sharing any relevant information, tips etc.. I'm sure if you have a question, there has been a thread related to it, and somebody would try to help you.

An unboxing reaction video. I don't think it's fair not to add a link to the latest people. This is short... 🙂 This new owner notices that the front panel isn't imitation woodgrain, it's real wood veneer. It's so nice.

I can't comment on 4K as I don't have a 4K TV, but I'd be confident to GUESS the corruption bug is fixed. 🙂 On Antstream, did you update the app? It still does not support a physical keyboard for login, but works with the modern and classic controllers on both USB and Bluetooth. Previous to the update, it only worked with the classic controller on USB, I believe. Of course, as an app, further updates would be waiting on Antstream.

The big new update to Guntech became available today, after the AtariOS upgrade. The game has a whole raft of new updates, and some key bugs are also fixed now. The download from the VCS store was fast and no problem with installation for me.

Ato is released from Tiny Warrior Games, and is in the VCS Store today. $14.99 It's on Steam, but only for Windows, and in a new version for the Linux AtariOS. "A world of Beauty and Mystery, Emotive Animations, Atmospheric Environments, Visually Driven Story, Metroidvania Exploration and Memorable Sword Duels." This is from the same developer as "Frog Hop"; this game already has a fan base.

As Mockduck has already posted the announcement above, I edited my post to report my findings. TESTING IN-PROGRESS > We have pushed the latest OS update. When you next login the update will happen automatically. > At boot-up, the update started automatically. It completed in about 5 minutes, without problems. > Waking Atari VCS via Bluetooth > The system will now wake from sleep from connected Bluetooth controllers. > The system can be put to sleep, and turning on a controller immediately starts up the VCS. > Distinct User Accounts > Every Atari VCS user now has a distinct account: > - Each user’s Chrome settings will be tied to their account > - Each user has their own collection of games > - Each user has their own saved game sessions (A byproduct of this change is that existing saved games will no longer be accessible. We apologize for this inconvenience.) > This is a good advantage, as it means the account can have the same games on any console, I think. * Atari also wrote (informally on Discord) they are looking at adding a family-account type situation to share games on one console. I can see that it is more complicated than it looks, at first glance. My saved games were indeed lost, in the update, but as a Linux sysadmin, I understand why it happened... it's a one-off. Atari should add a "backup to USB", or even "save to <user>-cloud" a option for save-games! > Safe Mode > Added “safe mode” which is enabled by pressing and holding the Menu and B keys on any connected controller while booting the VCS. > The system then boots disabling 4K/UHD resolution and skips automated system updates. > I tested this - seems transparent in operation, but of course should say "USB connected" controller. > Atari VCS Dashboard/Store > - Minor UI/UX bug fixes and improvements > I didn't notice anything particular, but there was no fan activity I noticed when using the VCS interface. It does seem quicker, more responsive, but I don't think there are any new options. > - Optimized store response to reduce the store load time. > Guntech got an update just after the system update. It downloaded first-time, no problems. Antstream Arcade has also just got an update since the system update. Again, download fine. > - Updated some translations, and added more translations to expand language support. > 6 languages are supported - I'm not sure which are new. > - Enabled video trailers in store listings (we will be adding trailers over the next week) > This is a big improvement for the store, as static photos were not at all attractive for a game! > - Changed the progress reporting for OS updates so it more accurately reflects progress. > This was a change for future updates, I presume. This update was done very quickly anyway. A few minutes. UNLISTED UPDATES - My controllers now connect via Bluetooth in 3-5 seconds, which is a big improvement from before! - Turning off WIFI when connected via Ethernet, after a reboot, the WIFI stays off now, as expected. ** MAJOR improvement - the WIFI now seems reliable, with no disconnects at all after 2 days of use... VCS STORE UPDATES - There was a major Guntech update, which I installed after the AtariOS update, and which completed without incident. - There is a NEW app - a controller check application, which shows which buttons are pressed, and the twist function of the modern joystick. - There is another NEW game - Ato, by the same developer as Frog Hop, but this is a pretty game. - Antstream Arcade has also just got an update since the system update. Again, download fine. Other people complained that some updates did not occur. - There was no BIOS update - this can be done independently of an AtariOS update. - There were no controller updates - these are independent, and can be done at any time. - Missile Command controls - it's a game, and needs to be updated indepently, just like any game. - Antstream Arcade controls - it's also a game, and needs to be updated independently. (See above.) - Date is still in am/pm format, but is the correct time-zone. I do prefer 24-hour format, but meh.

I don't expect it to be a streaming app. I more expect it to be a store, or a partnership to bring games to the VCS, or to boost developer support. I'm on GameJolt, but I've not seen anything particular yet. I heard Atari saying partnership will bear more fruit soon, and partnerships are always good, but frustrating... Pure speculation on my part, but I think I understand the model they are following, and it makes sense to me.

Since a few hours, VCS machines are getting an AtariOS update at startup. More information to follow!

I THOUGHT I got the photo from your web-site or Facebook! I thought it was your promotional photo originally.

There is no GameJolt app for the VCS yet, but Atari+GameJolt announced a partnership last year. I am optimistically 🙂 sure this will bear fruit before they ship to retail. I am imagining another app, like for Antstream, a GameJolt store perhaps, but no information yet. Atari did say more benefits of partnerships are pending. Secrecy before launch is normal business.

This is quite a long review, and the summary is the VCS is not quite enough yet. As the machine is still in beta-phase, and not all services launched, it's no surprise. I am puzzled though that he says it can't do streaming - a definition issue I guess...

This is a video of Guntech (Steam version called UGS - Utopos Rocketship Game) He's had a lot of negative things to say about Atari VCS, but as this game is now on Steam as UGS, he's taken the chance to try the demo. It's more fun to play on the VCS than you might gather from the video, I think, but it's... interesting!

More people upgrading to the max. He thanks everybody else who made guides.

Another review, from Australia, I think. It's actually well balanced, and goes into more depth in the right places than most reviews. I'll revisit that channel!

Yeah, I've waited many years for a use for them, and now you say this. Typical! 🙂 I could solder a USB cable back to the PCB, and have a 2nd+3rd captive cable I guess. At least it's more practical for now.

I think it is a very good thing. They're shutting down a new studio, and expanding Stadia offerings! They have not released any internal game so far, and they are far better focusing on the Stadia cloud platform rather than becoming a competing games company. That was only creating resistance from some publishers. They just expanded their service to another 8 European countries in December, and 22 more on the way, I read. https://blog.google/products/stadia/stadia-launches-eight-new-european-countries/ Cheers, Richard.