RIP RetroVGS/Coleco Chameleon: Retro Console Epic Disaster (2015-2016)

[portnoyd]

http://www.retrovgs.com/

If you haven't heard, our dear old SoCalMike, fresh off Kickstarting a magazine, decides he's qualified enough to make his own game console.

Wait, it gets better. It gets so much better.

Let's just do a checklist, in no particular order:

1. Was originally going to be funded on Kickstarter, but had to switch to Indiegogo because they do not have a working prototype. Total bullshit that Indiegogo is "courting" them, when Indiegogo couldn't give a shit. Just like how you had "conversations" with Konami and Capcom?

2. SoCalMike has begun deleting negative comments from the system's Facebook page because the blowback has been getting worse and worse.

3. The system will cost $300, $100 less than a PS4 or Xbone, or as much as a WiiU.

4. Two words: Cardboard PCB

5. Here's the current game selection, look out guys, Super Noah's Ark, courtesy of the nitwit at Pika Interactive! Games List

6. Should be number one, but they are using the Jaguar die to make the system shells. Sure, let's get our system off the right start by using the shell of a total failure game console.

7. SoCalMike and his team do not have even have a board layout. An inside source has been cited as saying "Every time I talk to them, the design was 100% different".

If you can read all this and still confidently give SoCalMike your money for this system, then there is no hope for you.

The AA thread is also gold.
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235...ro-vgs/page-48

[Tanooki]

I agree with you on a lot of this, but that cardboard you linked wasn't a working model just a really shitty mock up, and Piko isn't an idiot. The rest of the stuff you're spot on and criticism is deserved especially when you dick with people removing honest questions to downright negative feedback and charging $300 for that is a joke. Even as bad off as the WiiU has been and will remain, at least you can fairly more confidently justify that price given the big ass tablet controller and the library of stuff from Nintendo alone that's quality enough to make it look even worse. To want to take money from people when you don't even have a working proto and to find idiots in the indiegogo people to help you push that potential scam is even more distasteful and puts a sickening questionmark on trusting that site in the future too.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was interested and I am still curious, but the price is garbage even if it comes to market I won't pay anywhere near that. You may get a few new experiences there, but most of it, not a chance. If you want to piss over $100 on a console, at least get a Retron5 as it has 2 decades worth of games to screw around with over 10 systems (soon 11 when SMS is added.) That thing is going to go up in flames if it comes out without some serious reorganization of things.

[Berserker]

It almost feels like the whole thing is set up to appeal to people who are going to want to buy it whether they think it's going to be sustainable or not, which to me isn't unthinkable considering the target audience are collectors and people who play dead consoles. Or it could be that he simply promised the moon to himself along with everyone else.

Regardless, there just doesn't seem to be anything real there. I think if it does manage to leave the gate, it's only going to limp out a few steps before collapsing into a pile of cardboard and regret. It's just a shame other people are going to be stuck with the bill.

[Greg2600]

I can't get past the Jaguar cases. RETRO have been blasted pretty well globally among the classic gaming community. I don't really want to pile on. I'm just not certain a market exists the way they thought it did. Even if this console came to market at $99 using a custom/new design, and fully functional, who will buy it? I cannot imagine it could sell more than 1,000 units. This was my issue from day one, I just don't perceive a niche even. All the other stuff, including the recent stuff is kind of irrelevant.

[Steven]

RETRO have been blasted pretty well globally among the classic gaming community.

Hate to say it as I was a proud year 1 AND year 2 backer, but the latest RETRO issues have not been good, or rather, have not interested me much. I thought they were showing some improvements in like issues 5, 6 and 7. But the last two in particular have been meh to me at best. They've gone back to plain white or black backgrounds and the design of the magazine is so bleh. Also, I'd like a better focus on retro games and there really isn't much. Unless things get better in the next couple issues, I don't see myself funding them for a 3rd year. Also, the incredible delay in the magazine has annoyed me. It's supposed to come out every other month, but they've fallen behind this BIG time. And I don't see them catching up. When a company or brand can't keep its word, I immediately grow weary of longevity and quality. I'd be more forgiving if the issues were amazing for the extra delay but they are honestly very forgettable. Maybe I'm expecting too much but Retro has been a disappointment, especially in the last 6 months (i.e. last 2 issues) or so. Also, look at the Kickstarter comments -- so many subscribers missing issues and not receiving them. It's frankly embarrassing and makes Mike and his team look very bad in general. Why are so many people missing issues? How hard could it be to get the shipping right?

The Retro VGS? To be kind, I like Mike but the general mishandling of RETRO (perhaps not on Mike but his name is a big part of the project) and the red flags surrounding this system leaves me with very little faith that this thing will even reach the levels of "semi-moderate success and customer satisfaction." Shoot, I'll just stick with the tried and true SNES. I wish them the best but I have my doubts, and I'm not going to pay money for this particular project.

[sfchakan]

The Indiegogo has been launched, despite the project having no working prototype.

Over $23,000 USD from about 60 people fairly quickly. Only 1% funded.

[o.pwuaioc]

Even as bad off as the WiiU has been and will remain, at least you can fairly more confidently justify that price given the big ass tablet controller and the library of stuff from Nintendo alone that's quality enough to make it look even worse.

Even I would be a Wii U before this PoS.

[Pikointeractive]

http://www.retrovgs.com/

If you haven't heard, our dear old SoCalMike, fresh off Kickstarting a magazine, decides he's qualified enough to make his own game console.

Wait, it gets better. It gets so much better.

Let's just do a checklist, in no particular order:

1. Was originally going to be funded on Kickstarter, but had to switch to Indiegogo because they do not have a working prototype. Total bullshit that Indiegogo is "courting" them, when Indiegogo couldn't give a shit. Just like how you had "conversations" with Konami and Capcom?

2. SoCalMike has begun deleting negative comments from the system's Facebook page because the blowback has been getting worse and worse.

3. The system will cost $300, $100 less than a PS4 or Xbone, or as much as a WiiU.

4. Two words: Cardboard PCB

5. Here's the current game selection, look out guys, Super Noah's Ark, courtesy of the nitwit at Pika Interactive! Games List

6. Should be number one, but they are using the Jaguar die to make the system shells. Sure, let's get our system off the right start by using the shell of a total failure game console.

7. SoCalMike and his team do not have even have a board layout. An inside source has been cited as saying "Every time I talk to them, the design was 100% different".

If you can read all this and still confidently give SoCalMike your money for this system, then there is no hope for you.

The AA thread is also gold.
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235...ro-vgs/page-48

Hi,

I did not wanted SNA3D on Retro VGS. I rooted for Dorke and Ymp as is a great game and original IP. however I just showed Retro VGS our library of games and they picked SNA3D for some reason.

Thanks for the compliment though, shows class.

[Tupin]

Where is the market for this even if it were cheap and not vaporware?

[The Adventurer]

Where is the market for this even if it were cheap and not vaporware?

It is trying to fit a very strange niche. I mean the Ouya was able to handle retro style games, and emulate older systems. And that tanked.

[Tanooki]

I think it's trying to appeal to the Nintendo/Sega cart fan who wants something new who probably blew through the stuff they didn't consider crap on those old systems already, but the price is well beyond prohibitive into comical at $300. Also given what Piko just posted, they're stupid on that front too taking that old SNES joke of a cart and wanting that over far better options like Dorke and Ymp. Why have something from the period that's new when you can have a panned turd people over pay for because it's hard to find?!

[portnoyd]

Thanks for the compliment though, shows class.

Well, you are in fact a nitwit.

Also, $2 million dollars? Bwahahahahahahahaha

[Pikointeractive]

Well, you are in fact a nitwit.

Also, $2 million dollars? Bwahahahahahahahaha

Says the guy insulting people in a forum behind a keyboard thousands of miles away lol.

[portnoyd]

Says the guy insulting people in a forum behind a keyboard thousands of miles away lol.

Says the guy who signed up to our forums just to insult someone who called you out on your idiocy.

[Pikointeractive]

Says the guy who signed up to our forums just to insult someone who called you out on your idiocy.

Been in this forum forever. Mostly lurk than post

[Kokonoe]

http://www.retrovgs.com/

If you haven't heard, our dear old SoCalMike, fresh off Kickstarting a magazine, decides he's qualified enough to make his own game console.

Wait, it gets better. It gets so much better.

Let's just do a checklist, in no particular order:

1. Was originally going to be funded on Kickstarter, but had to switch to Indiegogo because they do not have a working prototype. Total bullshit that Indiegogo is "courting" them, when Indiegogo couldn't give a shit. Just like how you had "conversations" with Konami and Capcom?

2. SoCalMike has begun deleting negative comments from the system's Facebook page because the blowback has been getting worse and worse.

3. The system will cost $300, $100 less than a PS4 or Xbone, or as much as a WiiU.

4. Two words: Cardboard PCB

5. Here's the current game selection, look out guys, Super Noah's Ark, courtesy of the nitwit at Pika Interactive! Games List

6. Should be number one, but they are using the Jaguar die to make the system shells. Sure, let's get our system off the right start by using the shell of a total failure game console.

7. SoCalMike and his team do not have even have a board layout. An inside source has been cited as saying "Every time I talk to them, the design was 100% different".

If you can read all this and still confidently give SoCalMike your money for this system, then there is no hope for you.

The AA thread is also gold.
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235...ro-vgs/page-48

Never heard of this until now, but I went ahead and checked it out and I don't agree with some of your statements.

1. I feel this part is rather irrelevant, yeah they may have wanted Kickstarter without a working prototype, but Kickstarter is the main source of revenue for these kind of projects these days. Having to go to indiegogo is similar to having to go to DailyMotion instead of Youtube, although not as bad.

2. I don't agree with deleting negative comments as it's not a good idea, but it's not exactly uncommon for a company to do this.

3. The price being 300 is something I can see an issue being, this price is an issue as it'll stop the console from having a mainstream appeal. It's hard to say why they are making it that price. Perhaps the hardware is expensive to produce for them? Or, they could be being cheapskates, but I'd wait to see someone open it up first.

4. Cardboard PCB is a demonstration.

5. Lack of games is a criticism I can understand, although I feel it's to be expected for a platform like this.

6. I thought of this too, using a shell of a failed game console probably isn't the best idea, but they could market it as something that'll redeem the design? I understand their choice, though. To save money.

7. This doesn't concern me, although I don't back things without a clear release date.

I will note I know nothing of SoCalMike or how he is and using my only impressions.

[SparTonberry]

I for one welcome a new era of cardboard-based video games.

[Tanooki]

I for one welcome a new era of cardboard-based video games.

You missed the revolution, kind of -- http://www.wowwee.com/en/products/paper-jamz >:]


To the post directly above yours. That's what I pointed out too, it's not real it's a demo board. The price is awful and I remember them talking about (into another point) that they saved a big pile of money by finding and buying the old injection molds for the jag and the jag carts which since they can do them themselves in house makes the shell itself very cheap for them to make. I have no issue with it. So what if the Jag failed. Let's be real, most people have no idea what the hell an Atari Jaguar is let alone probably never seen the actual hardware either. I think it was a smart move taking those molds. But also let's be realists and see what others are doing with far more advanced (assuming here) FPGA chips and other pieces of hardware in existing stuff, including what kevtris there made that supports far more than even the android box Retron 5 does. I think at $300 they're being cheap unless they have some very crappy and terrible part suppliers or some quirky unique part(s) they're using. If that's the case, they need to redesign or find someone less slimy to get cheap parts in bulk from. The lack of games is a given, they don't have hardware so it's kind of hard to promise something based on essentially somewhere between vaporware and a lie at this rate. No system = no solid kit which = no good way to develop anything at all.

As far as Mike removing bad posts, I don't like it, but considering the hell coming down on them at this rate for this debacle in progress I can hardly begrudge them it either as it makes it all the harder to find anyone who would and could commit some cash and resources to the thing and that's about the last thing they need right now.

[Gameguy]

That's what I pointed out too, it's not real it's a demo board.

I think the issue most people have is that there should be an actual functional prototype existing at this point, not just mock ups of what it could possibly look like.

Just imagine what Apple could have shown when introducing their latest Powerbook to the public. Would this have worked?

[celerystalker]

Can I preorder that? Not the Retro VGS; that sounds ridiculous. That powerbook looks fantastic and versatile.