Is there a new 2600 cart with Ian's book Slow Year?

[ibogost]

Hopefully there are many questions!

[iwan-iwanowitsch-goratschin]

I would have sex with that box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GreenDayRlz]

Looks cool. But other than that....I still don't get it. Heck, now I can get a PowerPak, Atari cuddle cart, SNES PowerPak, Colecovision multicart, and 3 homebrew games . All of those had more work put into them [probably] and combined cost just as much, the $500 is just insane. Maybe for $75 or so, I'd consider it if I was a die-hard Atari collector, but $500 can get me a couple R8's and cool crap.... I know I've said this 5 times, but it's because it's the sane way of thinking. Although if you need to make your money back for the EA exec's review, you gotta try to make it back.

 

Still 16 remain....so many moons later.

[ibogost]

If you are looking to maximize the number of classic gaming collectibles you can purchase, then yes, this is probably not the item for you. And that's ok! But, I don't think that makes it incomprehensible either.

 

I promised myself I wouldn't self-justify in this thread, or rationalize, or try to change anyone's mind. But despite that promise, I should mention that a huge amount of craftsmanship and very high quality materials went into this, not to mention a good deal of love.

[potatohead]

That is classic game porn Ian! The love of it is shining through, and I think I like that. IMHO, there is a great tactile experience, as well as a visual and kinestetic (sp?) one. Does it have a nice smell, LOL!!

 

My wife just picked up a Blu-Ray, done in a similar fashion. Packaging materials were metal, foam, etc... and just opening it up, flipping through the little well produced book is a lot of fun. She paid more for it too, despite the disc in the usual quick package right there for about $7 less. That packaging brought them about 25 percent value added.

 

I just played my copy of "ULTIMA V" for Apple, on a Apple last weekend. The box, cover art, included cloth "world map", coin, and instructions printed on thick, high texture stock, is a similar thing. Love opening the box, getting setup and checking out the tactile goodies while the game loads.

 

On one extreme, we've a ROM image somewhere played on a emulator that offers up the bare minimum game experience. You can see it and do it and hear it.

 

A bit farther up, there is harmony, and a real console, played on modern displays.

 

Somewhere in the middle we've got a cart, box, and VCS, maybe modded. Homebrew shipped in a plastic baggie with instruction book, and nice label.

 

Then here is the other extreme. Packaged, and I think it would hurt to do anything other than play it on authentic, period correct hardware. Would deffo love a shag carpet, 70's era console TV, bean bag, couch, munchies (messy), VCS, and maybe some ELO, ELP in the background...

 

That's the art I see.

Edited June 24, 2011 by potatohead

[potatohead]

...so I thought about one more impression I got from seeing this.

 

Where the experience is really diluted, I think it's hard for people to connect to the classic era on that, "wish I was there", or "I remember" level.

 

That's why we've got classic gamers and collectors / creators in the first place.

 

Where it's significantly enhanced, that connection is much easier, opening the door for newbies.

 

This thing is like some augmented, "colorized", "I was there, and I sure wish it was like that." expression. Neat, and thanks for sharing.

[potatohead]

I think I get how the book is intended to be used, but what's on the disc?

[ibogost]

It's the same CD that comes with the "standard" version, just for convenience.

[CPUWIZ]

Made it to Kotaku.

 

http://kotaku.com/5815478/video-game-poems-get-a-luxurious-special+edition-release/gallery/

[Mirage]

Standard (Book/CD) Edition on sale at Amazon right now for $15.56. Got an Amazon gift card for Christmas, so ordering it. It's out-of-stock but they say they'll ship when they get more in. Well worth that for the standard edition, just for curiosity factor IMO. Will certainly comment/review here once I receive and mess with it. This is right up my alley, wish I could afford the cart version.

 

Oh yeah, the other book I got was Racing The Beam

Edited December 28, 2011 by Mirage

[Miss 2600]

So far I kind of like the game with the leaves falling from the trees. I haven't gotten into the other seasons yet.

[Keatah]

I dislike all this "high art" stuff. Crap I should drill a hole in a 2600, mount it to a garbage can lid, and put my trash in it. Or better, yet, do that with TRS-80 computer - And call it ART. High art is above my understanding. To me high art would be playing with photoshop filters and missile command. Nonsense stuff like that. If that makes any sense, because if it doesn't then that's my contribution to the art institution.

 

While I'm sure this is cool to the folks that understand it. I am not one of those. However, I thought RTB was good and would like to see a second edition or some similarly themed work.

Edited December 29, 2011 by Keatah

[Pioneer4x4]

Or better, yet, do that with TRS-80 computer - And call it ART.

The TRS-80 IS art!

[high voltage]

I guess it's not a *homebrew*, but a very limited release

[Keatah]

Any 2600 game that's produced outside of a corporation is best considered a homebrew.

[Miss 2600]

I typed up a review for A Slow Year and posted it on Amazon if anyone wants to check it out.