Retroblox

[cybercylon]

As I said in the Retrofreak firmware thread, this was announced awhile ago. It it geared for playing SNES games at a lower price point than the full sized Retrofreak. I don't see them making separate Genesis, PC Engine, etc adapters as at that point, it probably reaches the point of just getting a Retrofreak. I could be wrong though.

[godslabrat]

http://polymega.com/forums/topic/polymega-dead/#post-24680

 

Impatience and skepticism are starting to rear their ugly heads on the PolyMega forums. Questions about shipping policies and possible convention appearances are going unanswered, and more than a few posts are popping up saying (pardon my paraphrase) "Pics or GTFO." You still have a few true believers who are fine with them taking as long as they want and showing nothing for it, but that's clearly not the only contingent there.

 

 

 

[godslabrat]

Continuing this from the Retron 77 thread as it's a tangent that has gone on far too long:

 

PolyMega told at least two big lies (maybe more, if you like to split hairs). One was that the prototype they showed displayed their claimed "Hybrid Technology". In reality, it played ROMs stored on something. Even the Final Fight CD game appeared in the menu before it was actually inserted into the system... this is evident from photos and videos taken at the time. The second was that ALL OUR QUESTIONS WOULD BE ANSWERED at their crowdfunding. Not only didn't they have a crowdfunding campaign, not only didn't they answer any questions in the past YEAR, they've since adopted the policy that they don't owe anyone transparency.

[insertclevernamehere]

Continuing this from the Retron 77 thread as it's a tangent that has gone on far too long:

PolyMega told at least two big lies (maybe more, if you like to split hairs). One was that the prototype they showed displayed their claimed "Hybrid Technology". In reality, it played ROMs stored on something. Even the Final Fight CD game appeared in the menu before it was actually inserted into the system... this is evident from photos and videos taken at the time. The second was that ALL OUR QUESTIONS WOULD BE ANSWERED at their crowdfunding. Not only didn't they have a crowdfunding campaign, not only didn't they answer any questions in the past YEAR, they've since adopted the policy that they don't owe anyone transparency.

Thanks for moving this to the Polymega thread. Very good idea. It looks like your claim about the display of the tech would require a level of scrutiny I can't be bothered to do so I'll take you word for it but with a very slight pinch of salt. As for your claims they lied, I'm sure that at the time, they had every intention of answering questions at the crowdfunding. But situations change and they got investment from elsewhere. That doesn't mean they lied. As for not answering all questions, again maybe they had every intention of doing so at the time but completely underestimated the complexity and length of development and number of questions they would get. They also announced there would be an Atari module at launch but now that seems to have changed and is now promised sometime after launch. Again, doubtful it was a lie. Just something they had to change for whatever reason. I understand how frustrating it is to want answers and not get them though. I've been there. We all have our idea of what an ideal retro gaming console would be and for me, the Polymega fits mine to a tee. Apologies if I've been too on the defensive on Polymega's behalf. I just so want this machine to become a reality. But ONLY if they do that Atari module. Polymega, I hope you're reading this. And if you are, how about taking a little time to answer some of those questions? Edited April 4, 2018 by insertclevernamehere

[Flojomojo]

^^^ I feel that's what irks me about these retro projects, they glom onto some unique ideas that some people want, then overestimate their own abilities. They run their mouths and promise stuff they can't deliver. Sad face.

[cybercylon]

^^^ I feel that's what irks me about these retro projects, they glom onto some unique ideas that some people want, then overestimate their own abilities. They run their mouths and promise stuff they can't deliver. Sad face.

 

I think we have gone way past the point the definition of insanity with all of these projects that don't either see the light of day or fail to deliver. You have hit the nail on the head about overestimating abilities.

[Andromeda Stardust]

Thanks for moving this to the Polymega thread. Very good idea. It looks like your claim about the display of the tech would require a level of scrutiny I can't be bothered to do so I'll take you word for it but with a very slight pinch of salt. As for your claims they lied, I'm sure that at the time, they had every intention of answering questions at the crowdfunding. But situations change and they got investment from elsewhere. That doesn't mean they lied. As for not answering all questions, again maybe they had every intention of doing so at the time but completely underestimated the complexity and length of development and number of questions they would get. They also announced there would be an Atari module at launch but now that seems to have changed and is now promised sometime after launch. Again, doubtful it was a lie. Just something they had to change for whatever reason. I understand how frustrating it is to want answers and not get them though. I've been there. We all have our idea of what an ideal retro gaming console would be and for me, the Polymega fits mine to a tee. Apologies if I've been too on the defensive on Polymega's behalf. I just so want this machine to become a reality. But ONLY if they do that Atari module. Polymega, I hope you're reading this. And if you are, how about taking a little time to answer some of those questions?

Why are you shilling out for these fly by night ideamen with no ability to execute?

 

= = = = = = = = = =

 

I am an idea man. A concept I came up with, at 14 years old, was to extract heat energy from ambient surroundings and convert it into electricity. This will make the areas surrounding the generator cold, so it could double as an ac unit that pumps energy back into the grid.

 

I discussed this idea with a physics professor in college who claimed it is impossible because it violates entropy laws. Heat is the lowest form of energy and is a waste product of every conversion process.

 

Do I think it is still possible? Yes. Can I prove it? No. Do I have a working prototype to share with the patent office? No. Am I going to make up some BS claiming that I do, and ask for investment or kickstarter funds to produce and sell my non-existent "invention"?

 

Do you want free electricity for life, and earn money selling back to the grid? Buy my new environmentally friendly heat scrubber, plug it into your home ac grid, and watch the wheels on your meter spin backwards as the power company pays you for the excess electricity you produce! Place it inside your home during the summer months to keep your house cool.

 

How my scam device works (yes, I've dreamt this up):

 

Hook an ac compressor to one of those cooler plates that get hot on one side and cool on the other when a voltage source is applied. The compressor heats one side of the plate and refrigerates the other, generating a voltage output. The output voltage powers an ac inverter that pushes electricity back into the outlet. But out closed system has no output. So we dump the cold air side of the ac unit to a heat exchanger to a heatsink that gets cold so you think it's working. But it can't work, and takes in more energy from the outside grid due to losses, getting hotter and hotter until it burns itself up.

 

See? I just delivered a fake perpetual motion machine that appeared to operate during the limited time I ran it, and now I've taken your money and skipped town. I scammed you with a shoddy fake product and you believed in it. I actually remember reading an ad about a fake revenue earning electric generator one time. Literally hook it to your ac power rail inside the junction box, and watch the wheels spin backwards as it operates, generating income in the process. This is how I'd like to believe it might have worked, but I didn't pay the $15 to see the demonstration video. And anyone gullible enough to pay for the video is already gullible enought to buy the fake device, delivered or not.

 

Why is this important? If enough sheeple believe in something, the perpetuators can run a campaign, and don't even have to deliver a product, failed or not. Did they try and fail,or just simply fail to try? Doesn't matter. You will be left with NOTHING!!!

[keepdreamin]

I've been there. We all have our idea of what an ideal retro gaming console would be and for me, the Polymega fits mine to a tee

 

Do tell. How does a machine that is yet to actually exist fit your idea of a retro gaming console to a tee?

 

[insertclevernamehere]

Why are you shilling out for these fly by night ideamen with no ability to execute?

 

 

See? I just delivered a fake perpetual motion machine that appeared to operate during the limited time I ran it, and now I've taken your money and skipped town. I scammed you with a shoddy fake product and you believed in it. I actually remember reading an ad about a fake revenue earning electric generator one time. Literally hook it to your ac power rail inside the junction box, and watch the wheels spin backwards as it operates, generating income in the process. This is how I'd like to believe it might have worked, but I didn't pay the $15 to see the demonstration video. And anyone gullible enough to pay for the video is already gullible enought to buy the fake device, delivered or not.

 

Why is this important? If enough sheeple believe in something, the perpetuators can run a campaign, and don't even have to deliver a product, failed or not. Did they try and fail,or just simply fail to try? Doesn't matter. You will be left with NOTHING!!!

I shall repeat what I stated in a previous comment on another thread. Polymega have not asked for a single cent from Joe Public. No kickstarter, no pre order. If it is a scam and they have their investment from other sources, which they claim they have, then now is the time to run, surely? But they haven't. If that is a scam and they don't really have any money, then considering how much time has passed since this started, I can think of many easier and less time consuming ways of scamming the public, if and when they do eventually ask for money from us.

[insertclevernamehere]

 

Do tell. How does a machine that is yet to actually exist fit your idea of a retro gaming console to a tee?

 

I'll class this as a rhetorical question otherwise it's a really stupid question.

[godslabrat]

I shall repeat what I stated in a previous comment on another thread. Polymega have not asked for a single cent from Joe Public. No kickstarter, no pre order. If it is a scam and they have their investment from other sources, which they claim they have, then now is the time to run, surely? But they haven't. If that is a scam and they don't really have any money, then considering how much time has passed since this started, I can think of many easier and less time consuming ways of scamming the public, if and when they do eventually ask for money from us.

Asking for money or not, they've already taken time and attention away from other efforts, as well as made the hobby less credible as a whole. If I came up with an idea for a console that I could actually make, I would have to counter skepticism introduced by the legion of failed cash grabs from the very recent past.

 

To be blunt, if someone lies to me, I don't need to pay them in order to feel lied to.

 

We've had people who build consoles FOR FUN tell us that what PolyMega wants to do won't work. When the project was first announced, the claim was that hybrid emulation had been invented by a small team over the course of the previous year. Exactly how a marketing guy and a game programmer knocked out a perfect hardware project in total secret is still a mystery. May I remind you... they didn't attempt to hire an electrical engineer until over six months after their prototype was allegedly finished.

 

There is zero historical evidence on their side, yet we're supposed to just assume the best?

[mr_me]

Don't assume anyone is right or wrong. Everything is vaporware until you see a working product. Marketing people have been doing this for decades, it's nothing new. If people choose to waste their time on vaporware that's their problem.

[insertclevernamehere]

We've had people who build consoles FOR FUN tell us that what PolyMega wants to do won't work. When the project was first announced, the claim was that hybrid emulation had been invented by a small team over the course of the previous year. Exactly how a marketing guy and a game programmer knocked out a perfect hardware project in total secret is still a mystery. May I remind you... they didn't attempt to hire an electrical engineer until over six months after their prototype was allegedly finished.

There is zero historical evidence on their side, yet we're supposed to just assume the best?

Groan. I think you've finally done some significant damage to my optimism with this latest comment. Happy now?

[keepdreamin]

I'll class this as a rhetorical question otherwise it's a really stupid question.

 

Nah, a rhetorical question would be: "how many bridges have you bought?"

 

Or

 

"How much you got invested in the poly mega blox"

[insertclevernamehere]

Nah, a rhetorical question would be: "how many bridges have you bought?"

 

Or

 

"How much you got invested in the poly mega blox"

I bought the bridge you live under and donated it to Polymega.

[Flojomojo]

I'm slightly surprised there hasn't been a Trolls crossover with retro games. That strikes me as such a 70s brand, and the Justin Timberlake movie is so trippy, like a Minter game, farting glitter and llamas who poop cupcakes.

 

If Polymega can deliver a system that poops cupcakes, I'd be very impressed indeed.

[Bill Loguidice]

I'm slightly surprised there hasn't been a Trolls crossover with retro games. That strikes me as such a 70s brand, and the Justin Timberlake movie is so trippy, like a Minter game, farting glitter and llamas who poop cupcakes.

 

If Polymega can deliver a system that poops cupcakes, I'd be very impressed indeed.

 

 

My youngest daughter really likes the new Trolls show on Netflix, as well as the movie. Neither are my thing.

[Flojomojo]

That's because you're not a young girl

[Keatah]

If people want to spend their time baggie-chasing after fake consoles or reading about ideas or concepts, that is clearly their own choice. No one is wasting your time.

 

The hobby is as credible as it has ever been. I've never ever ever seen a fake & non-existent product actually sell on store shelves. So.. when it is for sale that's when I'll take interest. It's a time-honored method for avoiding getting wrapped up in random ruminations and intellectual outgassings of modern marketing. Other than that, there isn't a whole heckuva lot to say. I'm here for the cheap entertainment. The drama. The laughs.

Edited April 5, 2018 by Keatah

[godslabrat]

Video posted: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k8EnOBG3YsI

Edited April 19, 2018 by godslabrat

[+kevtris]

I want to know why they needed 14 layers to route it now. Seems 8 too many. The production cost on that has to be pretty insane too.

[leods]

I want to know why they needed 14 layers to route it now. Seems 8 too many. The production cost on that has to be pretty insane too.

 

They need to route all those hopes and dreams... Not to mention all the empty promises. Must have been hard with only 14 layers.

[godslabrat]

Hey, if they're actually producing something, that's awesome and good on them. Now we just get into the realm of "Is it what was promised?"

[Newsdee]

If I'm not mistaken the Arcade Replay FPGA board has 4 layers, so it seems claiming 14 layers is an exaggeration to suggest it's very complex. But instead it smells like they don't know what they are doing...

 

Maybe I'm wrong. I'd be happy to be proven wrong with an actual product, but it seems remote.

Edited April 23, 2018 by Newsdee

[+kevtris]

If I'm not mistaken the Arcade Replay FPGA board has 4 layers, so it seems claiming 14 layers is an exaggeration to suggest it's very complex. But instead it smells like they don't know what they are doing...

 

Maybe I'm wrong. I'd be happy to be proven wrong with an actual product, but it seems remote.

I am not sure what the pcb is for actually. I looked very closely at it and can identify most of the stuff on it. There's what looks like a 240 pin DIMM end on the front edge of the PCB, which has the same cutouts. i.e. the edge locks and the cut in the middle for orientation. This board definitely plugs into something else.

 

The large chip could be an FPGA; it's not an SOC since those have missing balls to assist in routing, and there's no memory present on the board (unless it's on the bottom). There are a bunch of switching power supplies on the right, and several .1" headers it looks around the BGA footprint itself. I assume the two connectors in the upper left is for the cartridge/controller adapters to plug in. Other than a possible JTAG and power connector there doesn't seem to be much else on the board.

 

Granted there could be more parts on the bottom that aren't visible but so far I am not really sure what the point of this PCB is that couldn't be done with an existing FPGA dev board (if the large BGA is indeed an FPGA). The level translators might be in the adapters I guess.

 

I can say one thing for this project though- this is far more hardware than the retro vgs/coleco chameleon or the ataribox has shown to date!