Further Details About The 'AtariBox' Revealed
Here comes additional details concerning Atari's big, ambitious comeback in the video game console market!
In an exclusive interview last week with GamesBeat, Ataribox creator and general manager Feargal Mac announced that Atari will begin a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo this fall and launch the Ataribox in the spring of 2018. The console will run Linux on an AMD custom processor with Radeon graphics, with a user interface customized for TVs and will cost between $250-$300.
The Ataribox will launch with a large back catalog of the publisher’s classic games. The idea being to be able to "create a box that makes people feel nostalgic about the past, but it’s also capable of running the independent games they want to play today, like Minecraft or Terraria". In addition to indie games, the console will run those that a mid-range PC can handle, but won't run AAA games that require higher-end specs. Mac added that it will also perform PC-worthy stuffs like streaming, running apps, browsing the web, and playing music.
“I was blown away when a 12-year-old knew every single game Atari had published. That’s brand magic. We’re coming in like a startup with a legacy,” Mac said in the interview. “We’ve attracted a lot of interest, and AMD showed a lot of interest in supporting us and working with us. With Indiegogo, we also have a strong partnership.”
“People are used to the flexibility of a PC, but most connected TV devices have closed systems and content stores,” he said. “We wanted to create a killer TV product where people can game, stream and browse with as much freedom as possible, including accessing pre-owned games from other content providers.”
“People are used to the flexibility of a PC, but most connected TV devices have closed systems and content stores,” Mac said. “Ataribox is an open system, and while our user interface will be easy to use, people will also be free to access and customize the underlying OS. We’ve chosen to launch Ataribox with Indiegogo given their focus on delivering technology products, and their strong international presence in over 200 countries, allowing us to reach and involve as many Atari fans around the world as possible.”
“It’s a very flexible product, and you won’t need to spend more money if you don’t want to,” he further added. “In some ways, you are buying some freedom.”
So what do you think of the Ataribox in the light of the new details? Are you considering backing it on Indiegogo? Or is it awfully reminiscent of the OUYA to you?
For more updates, you can signup on ataribox.com.