Video Game SDK in Hardware

stm2 writes "Alex Varanese just released the XGameStation, a new homebrew video game system designed to teach its users how to build and program their own video game machines from the ground up. From their PR: "The expansive eBook, written by LaMothe himself, covers everything from introductory electronic theory all the way up to computer architecture, as well as a complete coverage of each of the XGS ME's subsystems. Imagine learning everything about how a video game console is built and programmed from scratch: designing and printing circuit boards, generating TV signals, external device interfacing, and much more.". They have two posters, as well."

Comments

Re:ZSNES, I chose you!

[Vaevictis666]

Anyone know how this hardwre stacks up against a Super Nintendo? I bet a lot of emulation fans would love to program one of these to run old game ROM's.

I'm not sure about this Micro Edition, but the one they were planning back in the day was somewhere between NES and SNES in power. If you want to do SNES roms stick with a modded XBox. Nes emulation would likely be difficult (not to mention complicated with all the video modes) but I'm sure "classic" consoles like the Atari and ZX Spectrum could probably be emulated.

Of course, the purpose is to give a good platform and supporting documentation so individual hobbyists can get a feel for what it was like to code for consoles in the NES era, when often it was one coder plus one artist (if not just one coder doing it all) working on a game, trying to get the absolute most out of the system.

Windows-only IDE

[byolinux]

Bang goes most of the potential geeks, I'd reckon.

Shame, really. Seems rather cool, I'd buy one if it didn't mean giving up my freedom, just to use it.

Might Be A Nice Teaching Tool

[blueZhift]

The XGS might be a pretty good teaching tool. I could see building a community college or high school video game programming course around the platform. Another good way to promote the platform would be through development contests perhaps sponsored by the likes of Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Of the three, Microsoft might be the most enthusiastic since the dev kit runs under Windows. Also MS would probably love to be able to identify and secure new talent quickly. I think Sony's Net Yaroze program actually did turn up a few gems.

The main problem I see right now is whether or not there is enough of a market for XGS to be profitable at all. The hardcore hobbyist development market already has a variety of kits for developing on the Dreamcast, modded Xboxes, and I think all of the earlier generation consoles and even handhelds. And the kits and tools come at little or no cost. The only things that generally cost money are mod chips and cables. So I don't think the XGS would be that attractive to anyone who is already in the homebrew game.

Re:Pretty decent.

[CodeWanker]

On the other hand, what better way for a hobbyist game programmer to show his virtuosity than when under serious resource constraints? Venture R0X0R3D (IMHO) and you ought to be able to do something like that with this...