Fort Apocalypse

Since the $39.95 FB2 portable project is no longer in the works for the general market, what if Atari were decide to produce it in much lower quantities and sell it on a geek toy site such as Thinkgeek, etc.? I guess you could also apply this question to Curt's proposed sale of one or more prototypes on eBay. If you're interested in specs/picture: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=110146

Curt basically said the FB2 portable project was replaced by the FB3 (or something like it), which is coming out in early '08. There will be no FB2 portable as Curt stated except for maybe a prototype on eBay. But, the FB line is not the make or break deal for Atari in general. If it is for you and your friends, so be it. They are a business and they have to make good business decisions. The FB2 portable IMO was probably just going to be too expensive and too hard to support for the general consumer. They could sell it on thinkgeek, etc. in much lower numbers with an even higher pricetag, but would enough people really pay much more than $39.95 for it? Sounds like a good poll... That said, I agree that 2600 was more popular back in the day. A 2600 based system would probably sell more than a 5200/800 based console, and as Curt said sales of the FB2 were good. However the FB2 has already provided people with that fix. I think the only way the FB3 will get anywhere close to as similar sales as the FB2 would be to include a good subsection of games that had big sales cross-platform in the 80s that everyone has fond memories of.

I doubt that Atari would dump FB2 portable for FB3 and then state that FB3 was coming out in Spring '08 unless it wasn't smoke and mirrors. There's no way that they could put a product together without some prototype and have it manufacturing for a Spring '08 release unless a lot of the work was already done. Especially since Atari's workforce was cut a few months ago- there's no way Curt would make a statement like that unless they had something fairly far along I'd hope. Curt said in other posts that other stuff was on Atari's radar. During FB2 portable development I didn't see a lot of promises on timeframes. Now that Atari is lean and hungry AND Curt has given a timeline on this which is availability in early '08- this baby is as real as it is going to get . It may be the last retro product while Atari is under Infogrames at the rate they are going now. But Curt is going to give it everything he's got I'm sure! What I'd be more worried about than smoke and mirrors is that the Atari 800 didn't sell nearly as well as the 2600 in the 80's. For that reason I think heavy marketing saying it is an Atari 800 or even 5200 would be a really bad idea for the general market. However, I think as long as the pricepoint is low (hoping $29.99 again) and the games they pick for the carts include some major ones that were available on more than just just Atari 800s back in the day (which account for a great number of them) then I think they can pick up on the markets of those that had Apple ][s, PCs, Amigas, etc. and want to share those games with their kids. But, those games (like Castle Wolfenstein) will have to work with just a standard FB2 joystick somehow because the keyboard was last mentioned that it would have to be hacked on... so that is where I think they are going to have trouble personally. If they figure that out, though- all will be good and there will be sales.

Although I appreciate that people need to get paid for their good work, I also think it is better for the old game authors, and even more so the retrogaming industry, that you encourage rather than discourage playing of those >20 year old games whether it be via emulation or actual hardware. Then when you get everyone you can into those games, they are much more likely to buy console and portable units that can in turn pay some licensing fees for the games packaged with them (or in carts for the FB3 it would seem). So I'd vote for not really jumping on anyone else's site with lawyers. You don't want to make the retrogaming community mad or they won't buy any more (or as many) products IMO.

I was really disappointed also when I first saw Curt's post about that. But I got over it, because: There would have been problems with sales and support * The target market was too small. There were a lot of people that wanted to play Atari games with real old style atari joysticks in the general market when the FB2 came out, but assuming that the same or even more people would pay $10 more to get a portable version was probably wishful thinking. * The support costs could have been much higher than the FB2 because of things like people crying that their game they loaded didn't work, or they had chosen a 2 player game since the majority of games support 2 players. The cheap way to handle this was to put 2 DB-9s on it and then if people had usability issues around 2 player games, Atari could say that they could use the FB2 controllers, but then people would get upset about that. Also sharing the screen with two controllers attached would have been a little clunky since the device was light. They could have also responded that the customer could use the A/V connector to a T.V., but the customer would argue the whole point of a portable is not to require a T.V. Another much more expensive way to handle it would have been to have the bottom part of the device slide out to reveal a detachable part of the device (connected by wire) with a second TFT, controller button, and fire button. However, THAT would have definitely driven the price out of the target market. There is still hope for the obsessed * Atari could sell the rights to the FB2 portable to someone else who could handle a more limited target market and increase the price to sell on a geek toys site, AtariAge, etc. * Curt said he may be selling one or more prototypes on eBay * If Atari tanks at Infogrames and there is enough interest in Atari, someone else with more money may buy up Atari and take on the FB2 portable despite the risks mentioned above, or maybe to create a beefed up legacy console: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...t=#entry1327594 * I think I saw a thread where someone was using an http://www.vgwiz.com/a26maxicart.html with the FB2 to dump roms... Naybe loading games on the FB2 may work with the cartridge port hack and an A26 maxicart for those willing to try. Don't blame me if it doesn't work though- I haven't tried it. * http://www.atariage.com/2600/emulation/index.php * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GP2X Atari Flashback 3 is now coming sooner than we thought * Please, please, please include Fort Apocalypse in one of the carts that are sold. I smell a free car wash or maybe a gift certificate to Chili's for Curt if this happens! (you have the "power of influence"!) * Plan is to have SD support (memory stick) via carts that contain them * If you buy one, Atari makes money and is more likely to continue producing legacy gaming consoles and possible portables

I kind of get the impression that since Curt was thinking about selling a prototype, that the FB2 portable project is permanently on hold/a.k.a. cancelled until further notice.

What are your favorite Atari 800 games? Looks like the FB3 is on now, so time to bring it to the table! I found this list: http://www.atarimania.com/top100.php?TYPE_...n_sauver=Search My top 9 would probably be: 1) Fort Apocalypse 2) Blue Max 3) Zorro 4) Karateka 5) Pole Position 6) Dig Dug 7) Aztec Lode Runner 9) Castle Wolfenstein http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft-TYPE...FT_ID-2055.html http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=5978 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=5948 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=6047 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...mp;SOFT_ID=4043 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...mp;SOFT_ID=1628 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...;VERSION_ID=451 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=3018 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...;VERSION_ID=929 Others that would be cool: Last Starfighter - http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=2927

Here is everything so far compiled from Curt about the FB3 in earlier posts. According to a recent post the FB3 is replacing the FB2 portable project and is slated for Spring '08. Curt said in post here http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...00#entry1339391 "We are looking now at a Spring 08' launch timeframe. On the plus side, what was being developed for 08' as an advanced follow-up system has been moved up to the front burner and is being worked on now in place of the original FBP design... No details will be given/shown until after the New Year." FB3 Info directly from Curt's previous posts: From thread here: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74783 Yes.... there WILL be a cartridge slot... sorta No need to solder, a cart port will be included, electrically compatible with a particular system, but in a different physical layout/formfactor FB3 Carts would have full games, not some lame (here's the rest of your game) upgrade like Jakks. "Will it use the same hardware as FB2?" (No, it will be a) Different platform... I know, I know... just can't give out too much right now, heck the hardware wont even exist in proto form till about Jan-Feb, so we're getting a little ahead of things, but I think everyone is on the right track and I think you'll be pleased with some of the solutions to some age old previous console shortcomings that will be put into the new design on the next console, and this will be a console and not a TV plug and play, this unit will actually come with its games off-board on a card, which means that "More Games, More Fun" certainly will be the slogan to go with on the next Flashback. Atari released the Atari 8bit chipset into PD (Public Domain) for me several years ago, so any FB3 project at this point could very well turn into a PD or individual released project/product 800 computer in a 5200 case function keys/buttons along under the silver strip for pause, select, keypad, etc... FB2 joystick usage Front SD card slot acting as D1: edge connector inside on board to solder an 800 cart connector to for legacy cartridge usage. Built in SIO2PC connection port for transferring to/from console footprint for SIO connector to be added footprint for ps/2 keyboard connector footprint for vga out Composite out Games included would've come on an SDcard That was what was being shot for, much of the VHDL work on several of the chips went through first pass work and I have in fact tapped a few people from the community to help on the completion of the chipset and need to send out appropriate chip schem's on the 800 for some additional work to be done.

Sorry, no more FB 2 portable in the works. But there will be a Flashback 3 or something like it according to Curt's post.

This thread should liven up in place of the flashback 2 portable thread. No more portable in the works according to Curt's latest post and it looks like the Flashback 3 (or something very similar) will be released in 2008 instead.

Yes but he just posted this in which he said "We are looking now at a Spring 08' launch timeframe. On the plus side, what was being developed for 08' as an advanced follow-up system has been moved up to the front burner and is being worked on now in place of the original FBP design... No details will be given/shown until after the New Year." In other words, the Flashback 2 portable is out, and the Flashback 3 is on (that's my interpretation). I posted a topic here with the compiled FB3 specs from Curt's previous posts. Ok, now here goes my speculation: * FB2 portable was not going to be feasible because: (1) people were clamoring for DB-9 ports, no controllers would be available with FB2 portable, so they would be wasted on casual consumer. (2) Game licensing and support issues with providing USB loading of games. (3) unit was too clunky to deal with with controllers attached since it was so light

I'm hoping that Curt is taking it to the next level! Arcade classics! (Here's hoping at least!)

I'm there, but only if you throw in a box of memeographed memorandi. All that purple ink and blurred faded copies of internal goodness. Yum!

Ouch... http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2194763/...asdaq-delisting I hate to be a naysayer as I'm a huge fan of Atari in general not to mention the FB2/FB2 portable, but this looks painful. I'm guessing this will impact the project.

Dude, what about this? http://www.google.com/products?q=atari+fla...i&scoring=p

I made made a guess at the number of games you could fit on a Flashback 2 portable (about 140-180 of the smallest games including resource files). Curt, have you tried to see how many could fit on it yet, or is it not to that stage yet? What would be the ballpark estimate? Also, is there a name for the project that is holding up the Flashback 2 portable right now? Thanks! Now I'm off to a pool party.

Can't say much for gameport, but for the FB2p: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...t&p=1303818 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism

From my estimation, I think spacewise if the resource files just contain the cartridge type, maybe a category type, and a name, you could fit somewhere between 140-180 of the smallest games on it. However, that is not from Curt and have no idea if that is a real world guess.

How's the file going to tell the FBP the type of bankswitching and weither or not there's extra RAM in the cartridge? Thats a good point. I'm sure thats why they are including the syncing software. Since I know how they want to support homebrewers as much as possible, I hope that whatever solution there will be to create resource files should be very straightforward and easy to do on any platform via some utility, or even by hand, but I would opt for a utility if it helped make the resource files take up less space.

Off topic, but I just saw Meltdown for the Atari 2600 was released for free use (may be old news- was new to me): http://www.cgexpo.com/misc.htm http://www.cgexpo.com/products/meltdown.htm

How's the file going to tell the FBP the type of bankswitching and weither or not there's extra RAM in the cartridge? Curt said there would be a resource file associated with each game.

Thanks, Asaki! I updated this post where I tried to compile Curt's previous posts to try to get a summary of FB2 specs as we know them currently: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...t&p=1331316 (Note: atwwong is going to update the FAQ/specs post he had when Curt provides full revised specs again, which we're hoping will be soon. ) Besides what's posted here, Curt posted a little something in this thread: ...

Asaki posted a link to this thread: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107755 So I updated the original post with that info on internals, memory, and how it works plugged in/unplugged from USB.

Thanks for catching that. Just edited first post on this thread to reflect that. Let me know if I can clarify it further.

This was verbatim from Curt's post I think. Let me know how I can clarify it. Okay, full stop, I demand an explanation for this extraneous layer of clusterfarkery. I have never in my life encountered any OEM USB transfer software that didn't fundamentally suck. I call shenanigans on any solution more complex than simply plugging the FB2p into my computer and using Explorer to drag 2600 binaries into a "Games" folder. I agree (not about Explorer, but about using any OS's file manager). I believe Fort Apocalypse is wrong. Read this: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...p;#entry1169974 that's the idea at least.