Reaperman Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 Tiny circuits has a new kickstarter for an inexpensive handheld called Thumby. It follows the Cybiko business model of having its users make most of the games, and the IDE is already up (here). I like small things, and the $19+5 shipping is in my impulse-buy territory, so they suckered me in. They seem to have a history of tiny electronics kits, but I'd never heard of them before. I actually heard about it when youtube seemingly randomly recommended me this: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabba Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 I got this one, though I'm afraid the size of the buttons will make it feel a little gimmicky to play with it, still can't wait to try it out. Also definitely going to make some games for it, I really like the idea in general! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaperman Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 Well, I think that makes you one of the biggest fish in that pool. I'm surprised there's not more excitement here. I've got a little dot-racing game that might work okay on it Maybe this LGR vid will boost interest: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jgkspsx Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 I backed it. My optometrist be damned. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabba Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 (edited) I guess the trick would be to create games that use one or two buttons at most or don't need any reaction time. Anything that requires precision and timing would be a waste on that device. On 10/12/2021 at 5:32 PM, Reaperman said: I've got a little dot-racing game that might work okay on it That would be fun to see working out! Though I do see a problem using the d-pad for steering.. maybe A for gas and left-right to steer could work? Edited October 14, 2021 by Ninjabba 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 This is cool. Now we just bluetooth controller support and a micro hdmi port for tv output. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justclaws Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 I just missed the Kickstarter, but when the Indiegogo started, I backed it there. The latest update, despite all the problems with supply chains etc., first ones are shipping. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/thumby-the-tiny-playable-keychain/x/18860080#/updates/all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justclaws Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Also, as there was discussion about making a game for it, these should be interesting to others here! ...and another game written using the IDE. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Smith Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Forgive me for being cynical, but how is thing actually PLAYABLE? The screen is tiny. The controls are miniscule. What is the point of this? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaperman Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Leonard Smith said: Forgive me for being cynical, but how is thing actually PLAYABLE? The screen is tiny. The controls are miniscule. What is the point of this? It's a small thing to goof with, and priced low enough for a quick laugh--and I'm pretty sure that's the start and end of it. Sometimes having limitations can be oddly freeing, as it's less to think about. I think that's the reason the 'Basic ten-liner' contests are so popular. It's more about discovering what fun can happen within strict limitations --that was my hope with thumby anyway. Assuming thumby doesn't have a USB host, I'd tentatively planned on hacking in a neo geo joystick port for extra comic effect. My hands might not be steady enough, for this one, though. Edited January 13, 2022 by Reaperman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jgkspsx Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 On 1/12/2022 at 6:22 PM, Leonard Smith said: Forgive me for being cynical, but how is thing actually PLAYABLE? The screen is tiny. The controls are miniscule. What is the point of this? I almost beat GG Aleste II on a micro-sized Sega Game Gear. I personally want to see if I can succeed at something even smaller. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaperman Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share Posted January 23, 2022 I got my thumby today, and holy jeez is it small. actuation the d-pad does work, but it takes thought and deliberate coordination. It's got a bunch of games built in. I very briefly tried the tetris-em-up and the dungeon crawler. Tetris didn't handle half bad, but on the dungeon crawler I kept walking in unintended directions until I started using my fingernail on the d-pad. Will try more later, it's a busy time. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaperman Posted January 23, 2022 Author Share Posted January 23, 2022 (edited) also forgot to post pic. It is, indeed, 'widdle.' Edited January 23, 2022 by Reaperman 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabba Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 (edited) Thats a cool little looking package though! I'm a sucker for presentation.. Edited January 23, 2022 by Ninjabba 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanooki Posted January 23, 2022 Share Posted January 23, 2022 Wow that looks almost functionally useless unless you have really small fingers. That Gameboy game puts it into real perspective. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jgkspsx Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 I got mine. High score on Tinysaur Run so far was 579 but I hit the button before I could get a photo. Can you beat 5239 in TinyBlocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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