[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

So, that's Atari's monthly update, as is required by IGG.  Pathetic. You know what would have been a GOOD update?  Announcing a ship date for the product that is supposed to release next month.

 

If backers are supposed to get their system next month, is it safe to say this is the last monthly update?  Unless of course, we've got a few more weeks, not months to go.

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

4 hours ago, Chopsus said:

I am sure they have been hoping for some further global disaster to use as an excuse ... 

Can't wait to see a certain fanatical backer call people "entitled" because they have the audacity to expect to receive a product they paid for, when they were told they would receive it.

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

6 hours ago, Chopsus said:

Poor old RivetGun seems to have a real problem understanding global logistics ? 

Some of those comments just leave you scratching your head.  It's possible Atari is well into the shipping process, we just don't know about it. 

 

But the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.  My money is on another delay. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

2 hours ago, x=usr(1536) said:

Yep, totally not a douchebag, as evidenced by your participation on the Indiegogo comments page.

 

 

Something something glass houses and stones.

 

✌️?✌️?✌️?✌️?✌️?✌️

Imagine being wound that tight about a video game system.   That post isn't going to age very well when November gets here.

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

10 hours ago, Chopsus said:

FAtari has seriously screwed the pooch when it comes to their marketing and launch window.

 

Fred Cheesnuts: when would be the absolute worst time to release the VCS non-console

 

Anyone with a brain: at the same time as PS5 and XBox X Series!

I'm holding off on next-gen until the games catch up.   But the Polymega does have potential to me.

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

20 minutes ago, nyyle said:

I don't understand how people can defend Atari at this point. Anybody else would have shown some pictures of mass production by now. The new Atari store was the reason I would have picked one up but when there hasn't been any games announced there's no point. The series S is the same price and for £10 a month I can play however many games I would like. The VCS is DOA and I hope the backers receive a device even if it's to sell it on 

Brand loyalty is a powerful thing. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

1 hour ago, LoonyLucas said:

From what I've seen, it can play indie games, it can have an operating system installed and allow me to use it as a pc for me to access my steam library and emulators.  That's cool to me and that's why I backed it.  I can set fire to my money, my house, my car.  Why do you care?  The amount of energy you guys use to hate the VCS is mind boggling.

 

I'm not interested in an Amico.  It isnt something I care to support or spend my money on.  Am I over on the intellivision forums complaining to people how it's going to fail and how they missed a deadline?

 

Nope!  Because I'm not a douchebag.

 

✌

I couldn't care less about how other people play games. The problem is that this company is unethical as hell.  I wouldn't compare it to the Amico. I would say it more closely resembles the Coleco Chameleon.  Even if it actually does get released, there's no denying that intentional deception is a part of Atari's marketing campaign. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

2 hours ago, LoonyLucas said:

You got it.  There are these things called 'NDAs' which I'm guessing they had to sign.

A year out before launch?  Yes.  A month before launch? No way.  A month out is when you bombard everyone with footage. You need  to generate hype and make the system a household name.

 

I realize Atari doesn't have a huge marketing budget, but they still wouldn't want to stop people from talking about the system this close to launch.  The last thing you want is for your product to have a stealth release. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

3 hours ago, OCAT said:

They should re-open that thread for all the Atari Nay-Sayers, Heathens & Blastphemers!
This was a place they could come together, so they would not venture out into other threads...
Anyhoo the time is fast approaching for the betting table to be closed, Atari has to show it's hand, Just like when Coleco Holdings gave Mike Kennedy 7 days to show what "prototype" they had ?
that still gets me even today.

It would actually make more sense to keep our beloved taco thread open if they want to keep this a safe haven for backers.  People might get salty after the next delay.

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

7 minutes ago, MCHufnagel said:

I just don't understand why the most entertaining thread on AA was closed down. Sure I never posted there, but I went there every day to see the mayhem!

I'm not aware of any reason ever being given.  I think there was a post saying the thread had run its course, which I disagree with, but here we are. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

6 minutes ago, jaybird3rd said:

No more taco memes.  Please.

Sorry.  That's what happens when you shut down the playground.   Kids run wild in everyone's yards.  

 

Unless of course the mods show up.

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

17 hours ago, TACODON said:

 

The fact that they keep tabs on this topic and my news is top news for them really tells you something.

I mean, what else do they have to talk about?  I got a good laugh about the "downvotes are all they have" comment.  The more they hype themselves up, the bigger the crash is going to be. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

10 hours ago, racerx said:

I'd imagine if Sega released an underpowered pc in a vaguely Genesis shaped case that focused on middling streaming services and crypto without displaying any advanced, exclusive versions of classic properties weeks before shipping, Sega fans would be bitching, too.

I believe this conversation was had in the old thread.   I was a huge Sega fan throughout their console years.  My beef with them now is that the quality of their games really fell off the map.  They can't be a functioning third party company, so yes, I would be disgusted if they tried to release the above product. 

 

@AlecRob, maybe you just had to be there to understand why this is not even close to the situation with the Jaguar and Lynx.  They both at least had some interesting games worth playing. Not trying to be condescending, just saying that the circumstances are completely different. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

9 hours ago, Stephen said:

But it doesn't have the Atari logo on it.  That made the 7800, Lynx, and Jaguar really outsell the competition.

None of those consoles had real wood though.  Checkmate!

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

1 hour ago, Bill Loguidice said:

I really don't think it has a bearing on the Atari VCS, but I agree with you 100% that it's another indicator that without a unique value proposition or a specific target niche, you have a REALLY hard time competing against the big three and their amazing engineering prowess, resources, and economies of scale. The VCS was already questionable against the existing Xbox One/X and PS4/Pro consoles, but the fact that a system more powerful than either of those will be just $299 is pretty crazy. Of course, the VCS is an "open system," so it might have some appeal to hobbyists that you won't get with something like the Xbox Series S, but the hobbyist market itself is, as we know, already incredibly crowded.

Agreed with all this.  But it further kills the idea of the system gaining mass market acceptance.  If/when the system ships to backers, and the first wave of people who want a system but didn't pre-order get one, that's it.  Especially once people understand you're going to have to buy more hardware to really get the most out of the system. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

1 hour ago, Tidus79001 said:

I see the trolls have moved to this thread now since the other Atari VCS  thread in the Atari 2600 section of the forums finally got locked.

Everything in the post was accurate. 

[The Atari VCS Controversies Thread]

1 hour ago, ColecoJoe said:

I suppose you can read the last few pages and maybe find your answers.

The thread was deemed to have run its course. I don't understand why, but here we are.

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

16 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said:

It could be you, frankly, as there are tons of good things this "last console gen." I know I go through moods and what-not, although I always find stuff to enjoy here and there. 

Yeah, I definitely enjoyed some stuff.  But there were a lot of anti-consumer trends, and some companies just kept rehashing the same stuff over and over.  I also didn't like the habit of releasing unfinished games.

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

3 hours ago, godslabrat said:

We also have a major problem, particularly in the realm of hardware, of companies completely misrepresenting how close the product is to completion.  Risking $300 for a box that's fully designed and ready to be pumped out of a Chinese factory is one proposition.  Risking $300 for a system with no OS, firmware, and arguably not even a finished hardware design is quite another.  At the very least, potential backers have the right to know exactly what category their purchase falls into BEFORE they make their pledge.  
 

If you want to claim transparency and communication, start from BEFORE the pledge happens.  Less marketing jabber and more about it the specifics of what will be in the gizmo you fancy yourself selling.

I have a confession to make:  Gaming is a bit stale for me right now.  The last console gen sucked, and I'm not optimistic about the next one.  If someone started a Kickstarter that promised a fresh experience, I'd probably go in, guns a blazing.

 

That being said, any functioning adult should have been able to tell the VCS part 2 or the Coleco Chameleon were going to be debacles.  It's the same level of intelligence that keeps the "Cardholder Services" telephone scam and Nigerian prince email scam going. You're right, we do have a problem with companies hawking crap that is no where close to being a reality.   But I'd say the bigger problem is that we have adults that are all too willing to send their money off to people who are proven liars.

 

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

1 hour ago, godslabrat said:

Tommy, I'm confused as to why you'd launch a new console with only a bunch of 3do ports for launch titles.  

Because another generation needs to experience Plumbers Don't Wear Ties.

 

8 hours ago, Matt_B said:

I'm used to Australian prices and it still seems eye-gougingly expensive to me.

Let's face it. You could buy an XBox One S and a Switch right now and still have around $20 left towards a PS4 for the price of the 'All-In' bundle.

 

I'd think 'Taken-In' would be a better name for it. ?

None of those consoles have "real wood".  Checkmate.

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

27 minutes ago, DemonAttack82 said:

Atari employee shill Powerdubs with the hot scoop

https://twitter.com/PowerDubs/status/1294054979150458881

 

The number doesn't seem as bad once you convert it to to US dollars, but it's still outrageous.  I'm not sure why they'd even bother.

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

1 hour ago, TACODON said:

What this tells me is that aside from the backers, there is virtually no one buying this console.  You don't see Analogue extending "pre-sale savings" or offering installation plans.  Pitiful. 

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

51 minutes ago, Tidus79001 said:

Because often that is what is done in this thread when disparaging the Atari VCS.

I've disparaged both of them in this thread.  It's a long thread, and I don't expect you to remember every post.  Would you like me to rehash why I think the Amico is going to be DOA?

 

The big difference to me is that TT seems like a decent guy, and nothing about his product seems like a scam.  None of that can be said about Fred and company.   Which is why the VCS is such a  good pinata.  

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

4 hours ago, Tidus79001 said:

Funny all of you have been silent about the news of the delay of the Intellivision Amico.  If this was the Atari announcing a delay you would be be trolling that news to no end.  Yep, Hypocrisy is alive and well in this thread.  That being said I am not upset about the delay I want Intellivsion to take time and get things right and not just rush something out just to compete the stated October 2020 release date for the Atari VCS.  Product launch delays are normal so I am not go to act like this is some cause for concern.  Better to take the time make the it the product that people were expectting as opposed to cutting corners just to rush it market or leave things out unfinished or dropping feature that was supposed to be in the product just to make some date that can be adjusted for the better good for the product and the consumers who paid for that product.

I'm confused.   Why would we be talking about the Amico in the VCS thread?

[New Atari Console that Ataribox?]

2 hours ago, OCAT said:

So it begins.. the dissidence ??
The rage must be swelling inthe backers ?. they waited this long and then some "SHELLY" gets a free VCS, this is the Ultimate in Trolling.

I haven't seen any reaction from them yet over this.  They've ignored every other warning sign, I doubt they'll understand why they should be upset about this. 

 

I'm curious what happens in 2021 rolls around and the system still hasn't been released.