VIC-20 prototype release (Tac-Scan by Sega)

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Hello all. As a few already know, I recently obtained this prototype (which is about 95% complete), and I will be releasing this game soon.

CIB copies of the game will be available directly from me through the forums. The game will come complete with box and manual, with cartridges made using original Sega cartridge casings.

This release will be very limited and the cost will be high, due to the difficulty in making faithful reproductions of this nature. I will do my best to make as many copies as possible to meet demand, but I am severely limited by the small supply of parts available to make the cartridges. Mind you, this is strictly a product for collectors.

For everyone else, I will be releasing the ROM image to the folks who make the Mega-Cart (http://www.mega-cart.com/) as well, so everyone who desires will be able to play this game on their original hardware one way or another.

The tentative release date for this game is January 21, 2011.

[Greg2600]

Blah, another reason I'm sorry I have to miss NAVA this month! Good luck with the game Ryan

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Blah, another reason I'm sorry I have to miss NAVA this month! Good luck with the game Ryan
Thanks Greg, hope to see you next month.

[evg2000]

I will be releasing a previously unseen prototype for the VIC-20 at this year's Classic Gaming Expo (http://www.cgexpo.com/).
I'll be at CGE so I hope I am able to pick up a copy. Don't know how may V20 collectors there are, but I'm one. Got my first VIC 20 back in 1982 as a graduation present from my parents.

charles

[Mayhem]

I've been helping out a little on this... given the sales of the Megacart for example, then I believe a moderate run should sell out, there are more Vic20 people out there than you might think. Having said that, obtaining enough cases for the repro run is probably going to be the hardest part!

[PingvinBlueJeans]

For anyone actually attending CGE, I'd say your chances of getting a copy are fairly high. After that, it gets iffy. I will continue making copies after the show as long as demand allows. This will be a limited release, but mostly because I am limited by the short supply of donor parts I need to make the cartridges.

I will eventually be releasing the ROM to the folks who make the Mega-Cart (http://www.mega-cart.com/) for inclusion on that device, so everyone who desires will be able play the game on their original hardware.

More info soon. ;)

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Bump for more info added to my initial post.

[swlovinist]

Count me in. I will be there in person to pick one up!

[slapdash]

Me too!

[PingvinBlueJeans]

I am in need of more parts to make cartridges. If anyone has any extra Sega VIC-20 carts, please let me know ASAP.

[evg2000]

I am in need of more parts to make cartridges. If anyone has any extra Sega VIC-20 carts, please let me know ASAP.

I've got a couple extra congo bongos you could have. I also have an extra star trek, though it's case is a little different; the screws are in the back instead of under the label. It also has an eprom, but I'm guessing it's still just a standard cart.

charles

[PingvinBlueJeans]

I've got a couple extra congo bongos you could have. I also have an extra star trek, though it's case is a little different; the screws are in the back instead of under the label. It also has an eprom, but I'm guessing it's still just a standard cart.

PM sent.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Just an update.

I apologize to anyone who had hoped to purchase a copy of this game. It was not my intent to disappoint anyone, but I was not able to attend the CGE for various reasons outside my control. I am still planning on offering this game for sale and hope to release it by this year's end. More info soon as production continues...

[evg2000]

PBJ,
Thanks for checking in with an update, hopefully everything is okay.

thanks,
charles

[Mayhem]

How many donors you got so far btw mate?

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Thanks for checking in with an update, hopefully everything is okay.
A bit behind schedule due to some personal setbacks, but I'm still working at it. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait. I'll get some screenshots up soon...I just don't want tease people too much.


How many donors you got so far btw mate?
Around 15-16 at last count, which is less than I had hoped. The box design and manual text are basically finished, but I'd like to get at least 20 cartridges done before I have the boxes/labels/manuals printed.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

As promised, here are some screenshots of the game...

[evg2000]

Not to be a bother, but any updates?

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Not to be a bother, but any updates?
Package design has been completed. I'm waiting for an actual physical sample of the box to approve before I have them printed in quantity. I want to make sure everything is just right.

I'm still gathering cartridges...I need a few more at least. If anyone has a line on any, please let me know.

I've sent the ROM image to the guys who make the VIC-20 Mega-Cart, so the game should start being added to newly produced units very soon.

[evg2000]

cool, thanks for the update

[PingvinBlueJeans]

For anyone interested in this game, I have set a tentative release date of January 21, 2011.

I have received a sample of the box and label, with the manual near completion as well. I will be uploading a movie of the game in action and releasing more info about the game's release in the coming weeks.

Thank you all for your patience. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

[slapdash]

Still interested! Does that mean you found enough donor carts?

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Still interested! Does that mean you found enough donor carts?
Yes, I finally have enough. I don't anticipate all kinds of interest in this, but I'd rather have a few too many available than too few. Either way, there won't be a lot of them. I'm having 30 boxes printed...I plan to do an initial run of 20 and then make more as demand calls for. I have the parts to make around 30-35 cartridges at the moment.

Someone had inquired a while back if they would be numbered. I'm not sure if they will be numbered per se, but I'm thinking of including a little something extra with the first 20.

More info soon.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Well, it seems luck is not on my side lately. My previous estimate of 30-35 cartridges was based on the fact that I had won a large VIC-20 lot on eBay which contained no less than fourteen copies of Star Trek that I could use to make cartridges. Unfortunately, I paid for the games but after nearly two weeks they had not arrived. Then I received this message from the seller:


Today we received a letter from the US Postal Service concerning the package containing your eBay auction. The shipping label from the package was found loose in Los Angeles. The package was not found. The letter asks for a description of the box contents be sent so the USPS can search for the package. I will complete and return the letter and enclose a picture of the auction tomorrow. I have no idea how long we will have to wait for a reply or if they will find the missing package.

I would imagine that the chances of this package being recovered at this point are mighty slim. I really needed those cartridges and this bizarre loss is a major setback, to say the least. I'm going to continue moving forward with the proposed late January release, but I may have to postpone it yet again.

This is a major disappointment. :(

[slapdash]

Oy... That sounds vaguely scammy, but I have seen the PO mangle and/or lose stuff before. Very sorry to hear it, but I'm still hoping things will work out, for the package AND the game release!

[Mayhem]

Given we both know the seller is a known part of the Atari community (I was the one who put Pingvin onto the sale), I'd be rather surprised if it was scammy...

[slapdash]

Ah, well that's one step closer to good at least. Sure hope they turn up!

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Given we both know the seller is a known part of the Atari community (I was the one who put Pingvin onto the sale), I'd be rather surprised if it was scammy...
Yeah, I don't suspect any kind of scam. If anything, it seems to be theft.


Ah, well that's one step closer to good at least. Sure hope they turn up!Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I don't have high hopes. Len Herman just told me the same exact thing happened to him a few months back (parcel went missing, label was found loose somewhere in CA). That package was never recovered.

[vintagegamecrazy]

I'd be interested in one of these too, keep me posted.