Can a low cost game system exist today?

[Mazerati]

i was thinking today with the cost of the new game systems like the

360 and psx3 being so high if a cheap alternative game system could exist

in today's market?

 

with the success of the xbox live and the Wii it seems people have realized that

great graphics dont add up to a great game

 

lets say a company put out a $39 game system that played some of the old school games on cart

or even some new games in the vein of Geometry Wars could something like that be succesful today?

[theking21083]

I have thought of this exact same for years. I always thought that it would be awesome if a company put out a new 16-bit console 3rd party companies made games for it. It probably wouldn't last just because the kids now usually only care about graphics.

[MCHufnagel]

There are plenty of pc freeware and flash games out there. Many of them are quite good and I think they more than fill that niche. As for retailing cheap systems, those have never been successful. They always end up being clearanced in the toy section.

 

If your looking for a cheap legitimate system, used Gamecubes are $29.99 at Gamestop.

[shadow460]

I guess low cost systems have had mixed results. there's the Flashback 2, which doesn't let you play your own games without modification. The there's the Hyperscan, which should have had several commercial releases ... yet it kinda flopped.

 

Seems to me that the only way a low cost system has actually survived is if it's got all built in games. With that, what manufacturer isn't too cheap to add a port/drive and create games? If you want to be able to switch games, there's always a slew of older consoles out there that do allow you to play what you want.

[nathanallan]

I would have suggested look at the hyperscan, too, but you beat me to it If only Mattel had tried to sell the idea harder to real videogame developers it might have had a chance.

 

I sure wish a developed-for 16-bit console would come out. Even if it's a remake, if it had downloadable for a price games it would be a hit with me.

 

Nathan

[ratfink]

If your looking for a cheap legitimate system, used Gamecubes are $29.99 at Gamestop.

 

That's a good point. A would-be console maker has to ask themselves "who would buy our new console if they can just go out and buy a used Gamecube for about the same price? Especially when that has a huge library of existing games."

[nathanallan]

Something is kinda like this already, made by leapfrog. It's for small children, but it has new Sonic and Star Wars games coming out on it. If we could get leapster to make some more grown up type games, it would be that console.

 

I still wish someone would come out with something with a built in keyboard, though. Seems there's not a market for that (amazing with text messages being so popular).

[A Sprite]

Not likely. If it's a 16 bit system, emulation is out of the question, and all titles must be ported one by one, with the price passed on to the consumer. Will they be any good? How many companies will place their best teams on the task of converting a 15-20 year old game likely selling on the Wii, PS3/X-BOX 360 online, and last gen collection disks? Assuming talent, desire, and manpower isn't a problem, how does the console manufacturer convince anyone the market is out there ahead of launch? In order to keep prices down, we can assume little to no advertising. If they're lucky, they'll only be competing with last gen products that are cheaper and more powerful - the Gamecube has been mentioned already, and the GBA is just as cheap. The PS2 and X-Box aren't unreasonable. The VGPocket still haunts a few shelves, where it is generally ignored, as do portable systems based on the Sega Master System...

 

If they aren't lucky, they'll compete with the Hyperscan and the best discounts on what were once the biggest toys, one or two Christmases ago.

 

And that's just the hardware.

 

Sell the software separately, and you're really asking for a lot of good will from the retail sector. What will motivate them to give the new system the space it requires?

 

I honestly can't see anyone besides Nintendo pulling this off.

[TwinChargers]

What if it was done where you'd have your classic system, like a Genesis, Atari, etc., and in those situations where you'd want to play multi-player, you'd have a program like X-Box Live where you'd be able to play with anyone else that happens to be playing. If it was a portable, then have it wi-fi compatible and you could play anyone. It would be great for people in a community like AtariAge, since we don't get to play each other much.

Put the games on SD cards and put a ton of them on there. Make it capable to download more. Get licenses to the older classics like Berzerk that haven't seen the light of day in nearly 20 years. Have it be run like the Virtual Console.

I think it could exist, but it would never overtake the current gen systems. As for it being highly profitable, you'd need a good marketing campaign and a decent amount of buzz.

[thomasholzer]

As mentioned above, isn't the PC low-cost since donkey-years? And thousands of low-cost software available for it too.

[A Sprite]

As mentioned above, isn't the PC low-cost since donkey-years? And thousands of low-cost software available for it too.

 

Low cost? Low cost will be when they finally create the mythical $100 laptop. $400 and up for a WalMart budget computer still isn't an impulse buy.

[FireTiger]

As mentioned above, isn't the PC low-cost since donkey-years? And thousands of low-cost software available for it too.

 

Low cost? Low cost will be when they finally create the mythical $100 laptop. $400 and up for a WalMart budget computer still isn't an impulse buy.

 

but its cheaper then some of the consoles came out.

[MCHufnagel]

As mentioned above, isn't the PC low-cost since donkey-years? And thousands of low-cost software available for it too.

 

Low cost? Low cost will be when they finally create the mythical $100 laptop. $400 and up for a WalMart budget computer still isn't an impulse buy.

A pc is low cost when you already have one. And plenty of homes now have a pc. And if you want one really cheap, craigslist is filled with sub-$150 used pcs with XP on them.

[Seob]

Sometimes a company is trying to make a cheap system, but most of them are very poor consoles with bad games.

Like the vii

[godslabrat]

i was thinking today with the cost of the new game systems like the

360 and psx3 being so high if a cheap alternative game system could exist

in today's market?

 

Well, in theory, that's what the Wii and 360 Arcade were supposed to be-- the cheap mainstrem alternatives. In reality, the Wii is in such high demand that it might as well be $350, and the Arcade doesn't sell as well because it's missing so many of the goodies that make the Elite desirable. Plus, $270+ isn't spare change for everyone.

 

I had speculated a few months back that the higher prices and the constant re-SKUing of today's systems was a way of preventing the next gen of consoles from dropping below the $100 mark. The consensus was that I should be wearing metallic headgear. Hey, I still think it's a possibility.

 

lets say a company put out a $39 game system that played some of the old school games on cart

or even some new games in the vein of Geometry Wars could something like that be succesful today?

 

The problem always comes down to: How much profit could this make for any company that tried it? A $39 game system by itself can't bring in much money. Like the Flashback, it could be sold as a novelty, but there's no real intention to support the product in the long-term. So, maybe the big money is made on games? Great idea, but the price of the games can't be anywhere near $39, or people will laugh at you. So, we make games for like, $10. Allright, so the games have to be mass-produced at $5 or less to turn a profit, and that includes the cost of programming the games in the first place.

 

Each time you make the numbers smaller, it gets easier to see why cheapie systems tend to go the way of the Hyperscan, and why a $400 X-Box is the better long-term bet.

 

WARNING: The following contains a scene of graphic hypothesizing, which may disturb some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.

 

I do think that there is SOME merit to this idea, though, but the best way to do it isn't to make a new system, but to revive an old one. Love them or hate them, Famiclone NES systems are definately successful items, but the people buying them are limited in their choices of new games. OTOH, several years back, Majesco tried to singlehandedly resurrect the Genesis with a new system and new games. I think they had a great idea, but they should have waited until their production costs could have been made cheaper.

 

What if we could combine the two business models? Release FamiClone or GenesisClone systems, sold alongside new carts for $10? And for God's sake, get them into Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys R Us, not just specialty stores and convention tables. If we can make the cart replication costs cheap enough, I think there would be a real market for them. And yes, I'm thinking a cart-based system, simply because it's probably cheaper in the long run to push an old system than to make a new one.

 

I think this is the part where the Mods bring me the hug-yourself-all-day jacket. Those things are so warm...

[mos6507]

There are plenty of pc freeware and flash games out there. Many of them are quite good and I think they more than fill that niche. As for retailing cheap systems, those have never been successful. They always end up being clearanced in the toy section.

 

If your looking for a cheap legitimate system, used Gamecubes are $29.99 at Gamestop.

 

The Jakks stick type games are filling that niche. Unfortunately not true consoles in the sense that they aren't programmable (except maybe the C=64 one if you hack it)

 

For real consoles, obviously the Wii is considered the low end one.

[Pixelboy]

I think the only retro-console that could work today would be a remake of the ColecoVision. And then, it would only fit a rather small niche market, like that recently released incarnation of the MSX. The nice aspect is that CV fans wouldn't be buying it with the promise of new games, but only for the chance to play all their old CV favorites (and new homebrews too) on modern TVs, possibly with a better controller. Most loose ColecoVision carts can be bought cheap on eBay and several other online places, so immediate game supply wouldn't be much of a problem.

 

But I think the CV is a special case (as the old CV consoles are aging quite badly, with all those power switch, RF output and broken controller problems). For the most part, mainstream gamers tend to go with mainstream consoles of the moment, because that's where the software support (first and third-party) is.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Pixelboy

[vdub_bobby]

godslabrat has a point, the NOAC clones are pretty much the only new consoles retailing for <$50 that are actually selling.

 

I'm assuming they don't have a lockout chip in them, so you could make some new games for those - but it would be hard to convince retailers to stock new NES games and how would you market them? Plus, writing them won't be easy or cheap; you'll have to get some 6502 coders, etc.

 

I think a better bet is probably a system somewhere closer to the PS2, maybe between the PS1 and PS2 - good 3D capabilities, enough horsepower to emulate 16-bit (and older) games so you can port them very easily, something easy to code for, etc.

 

So just get the price point on one of those down to <$50 and line up some cheap Indian coders and there ya go.

Edited May 20, 2008 by vdub_bobby

[+atari2600land]

Something is kinda like this already, made by leapfrog. It's for small children, but it has new Sonic and Star Wars games coming out on it. If we could get leapster to make some more grown up type games, it would be that console.

LeapFrog is coming out with the Didj, a handheld console that costs $90. The Didj will be coming out this summer. Unfortunately, like nathanallan said, it's mainly edutainment for children. If LeapFrog wants to increase profits (like they seem to want), they should put out more adult-oriented titles, not like Grand Theft Auto or anything, but stuff that ISN'T educational. Then, lots of people would buy it and it might even rival the DS and PSP.

[Reaperman]

I used to think that tv-games, educational consoles, and retro remakes meant that a high quality, inexpensive game system was *just* around the corner. But it's not, because nobody cares. Joe Gamer doesn't want a weak system, he wants something powerful that he can show off to all his friends, and play the current Madden or GTA on. As for older styles of gaming, Joe-Gamer doesn't care about that either, or there'd be some to play on 360, ps3 or wii. And how many previous TV games or other budget gaming options did joe gamer buy? Probably none.

 

argue, point out the one or few exceptions to the rule--I don't care. There are probably 10,000 people interested in serious gaming on a simple, low-cost gaming platform, and most of those are registered on this forum. I'm one.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Reaperman

[godslabrat]

But joe gamer wants the latest, or there would be lots of brand new gamecube, gba and ps2 games a pleanty. I don't think there will ever be a wildly successful system for under $50 (one that gets new games) no matter how technically possible it is.

 

I agree with everything you wrote, at least to a point. I would like to ask what you'd call "wildly successful." I don't think anyone would really suggest that a cheapo system could seriously challenge the PS3, 360, or Wii. That idea is not even on the table, if you ask me. But if you could define success as meaning "well-recieved by consumers and consistenty supported by first- at third-party software for at least two years" then I think there's at least a chance.

 

Trying to think back, I think the 2600jr and PSOne met that level of success. What I have in mind is only slightly better than that.

[Dauber]

Well, to answer the original post...we need an alternate video game console that's cheap. Some things you need to keep in mind:

 

- It must have playable titles.

- There must be at least some already-established titles available on the system.

- The controller must be easy to use and learn.

- Under ideal circumstances, the console should be available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit the player's personal preferences.

- The games should be on a medium that will last a while.

- There should be a variety of genres of games available -- sports, arcade, adventure, sims, etc.

- You should be able to walk into a store near you today and be able to get accessories for it.

- Most importantly, game development for the system should still be going on.

 

Keeping all that in mind, I bring you....

 

...the Atari Video Computer System, aka Atari 2600!

 

- It's cheap! Go to eBay, craigslist, garage sales, etc., and you can probably find one for around $20.

 

- Play the games you know and love! Three Pac-Man games! Several Tetris-like games! Remember the groundbreaking Space Invaders, Asteroids, Frogger, Q*Bert, Galaga, and Pole Position? They're all here too!

 

- You'll find the most playable titles around! Most of its games don't have the win-a-few-stages, fight-the-boss-character, repeat-until-you-fight-the-CEO-character, beat-the-CEO-character-and-the-game-is-over-so-what's-the-point-of-playing-it-again formula; the games get progressively more challenging and encourage you to score higher with each play.

 

- Tired of learning the functions of all those buttons on your Xbox controller? Still trying to figure out which button does what on your PS2? The Atari VCS has a simple yet very functional controller consisting of no more than a joystick and a fire button! (And if you prefer paddle-based games, the VCS can accommodate you there as well!)

 

- The VCS is available in many shapes, sizes, and colors! Some are woodgrain with six metal switches, some are woodgrain with four. Woodgrain too late '70s/early '80s for you? Screw that, then -- get one in black! (Sorry, only available in four-switch.) Like a space-age look? Get the variety with a silver panel! (Good news, jetsetters -- available in both four- and six-switch varieties!) Don't like switches at all? There's the Flashback 2! (And that comes with a ton of games! What? You want games that aren't included? You can modify it!) But if you would love a good video game system but just don't have a lot of space for it, why not go with the Atari 2600jr.? All the functionality of the other models, but a smaller footprint -- and a removable AV cord!

 

- Tired of your CD- and DVD-based games getting scratched up and unplayable? The Atari VCS features games on a special medium that has proven to work for 31 years! Tired of waiting for the CD or DVD to spin up and for that long boot and intro screen? The VCS cartridge format eliminates both!

 

- You like role playing games? Adventure games? Puzzle games? Sports games? Racing games? Classic arcade games? Space shoot-'em-ups? Look no further than the Atari VCS!

 

- "But my TV is too new to be able to connect the console to!" I hear you cry. Poppycock, I say! March yourself down to Radio Shack or Fry's and get an RCA-to-coax converter! While you're there, pick up some DB9 splitters so you can leave your joysticks plugged in while you play a paddle game!

 

- New titles are always available! Favorites from the past few years include Strat-O-Gems Deluxe, Stella's Stocking, This Planet Sucks, and the classic Lady Bug!

 

Need I say more?

[jbanes]

If you had asked me back in 2006 when Plug and Play games were all the rage, I would have told you that the market is DEMANDING such a game console. I even specced out my own idea on how such a console might be constructed:

 

http://jgcwiki.datadino.com

 

http://jgcwiki.datadino.com/jgcwiki/index.php?title=FAQ

 

I had the target market picked out, the developer market picked out, just about everything worked out for success. I was NOT going to make the type of boneheaded mistake that Mattel did with its Hyperscan. Nor was I going to create a market based on constantly selling new console units like Jakks did. I managed to price the components and work out what it could reasonably cost to build such a console in reasonable bulk.

 

Everything *could* have worked out if I followed through on it. So what happened?

 

I developed the concept because I realized that the next generation of games was going the wrong direction. It had become too hard to make games, and thus games were becoming big Hollywood productions in their own right. Well, no one likes to take risks with that sort of money on the line. As a result, no one did. This was the driving force behind my concept.

 

Then the Wii came along.

 

Nintendo did everything right. They provided a new interface to gaming, they focused on the raw "fun factor" of gameplay rather than the realism factor, they provided a direct line into their back catalog of awesome 8-bit and 16-bit games, and (as a final nail in the coffin) they announced an inexpensive service for selling games online. And just like that, there was no market anymore.

 

When the value proposition of my console was, "Buy inexpensive games that will provide casual entertainment", I had no long-term competitors. The entire market was focused on a completely different arena of gaming. But with the Wii on the market, there would be some serious competition. Should a consumer spend $5-$15 on a classic-style game they have to purchase in Walmart, or should they spend $5-$15 on a Virtual Console or WiiWare title that is already a classic or provides all the advantages of a modern console and can be purchased from the comfort of their living room?

 

The answer seems pretty obvious.

 

That's not to say that an inexpensive console couldn't be competitive in the market. It's just that the Blue Ocean aspect of it is gone. A bigger player has entered and is quickly building high barriers to entry. If I had been able to launch the concept in, say, 2004, then it would possibly be Nintendo facing the competition. Alas, I didn't, so the rest is history.

Edited May 20, 2008 by jbanes

[Rik]

i was thinking today with the cost of the new game systems like the

360 and psx3 being so high if a cheap alternative game system could exist

in today's market?

 

with the success of the xbox live and the Wii it seems people have realized that

great graphics dont add up to a great game

 

lets say a company put out a $39 game system that played some of the old school games on cart

or even some new games in the vein of Geometry Wars could something like that be succesful today?

Not a chance in hell,IMO.Gamers today only care about graphics,deciding factor on games is the graphics,have to be lifelike,no,i dont understand it either!Only "us"guys would enjoy that.Game makers make games for the gamers of "today"not the gamers of "yesterday"

Edited May 20, 2008 by Rik

[Seob]

I think a java based console actual could work. I've read that a lot of women are into small flash/java like internet games. A low cost console that hooks up to your tv, and that's able to play java/flash based games would fit in the market.

Other thing that are interesting is that a lot of free java based games are quiet good, "line rider", and others. And since it's not very difficult to make java based games, there also would be a lot of people that could write games for it.

The only thing that has to be right would be a good portal site with easy access to the games, and this could work imo.