Although the Atari VCS looks and sounds like a console, Atari has made it clear that they’re trying to stay away from the perception that this is going after the likes of Xbox and PlayStation.
“You should really view this as your hub for any multimedia activity. You should not think of this as ‘oh it’s a competitor to the Xbox or PlayStation.” said Atari COO of Connected Devices Michael Arzt in an interview with Forbes.
The console, which received a revitalized pre-order campaign today via Indiegogo, runs a customizable version of Linux (Ubuntu to be exact), contains a Radeon R7 processor, 4 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an expandable hard drive that starts at 32 GB. Price options for the console vary, including a collector’s edition in sleek panels made with real wood for $299 and includes a joystick, and a $199 version with a more modern looking, blacked-out version called the Onyx.
The classic Atari joystick is making a comeback along with the console’s own wireless controller, which looks a lot like the Xbox’s controller. Atari also says their new console will be compatible with most PC peripherals and access the Linux Sandbox.
Like most modern consoles, the VCS can stream videos and music, run social media apps, and have a dedicated multiplayer gaming service. Atari hasn’t revealed too much about the types of games available on the console, other than partnering with “modern” game developers and being loaded with over 100 retro classics such as Tempest, Missile Command, and Asteroids.
Despite the lack of news on any new games or exclusives, it seems that a lot of people are interested in Atari’s return to the hardware market. At the time of this writing, almost seven thousand backers have contributed over $1.7 million on the consoles Indiegogo page.
“[The VCS] is very different. It’s a place where you have the freedom to create in sandbox mode, and everything you enjoy on your PC, you can do it on the TV. I think that makes a difference in terms of positioning and why you would want to buy a VCS,” Arzt told Forbes.
Regardless, the potential for hobbyists to tinker with the box and developers create anything with the use of Linux could mean that this thing could be a lot of fun for hobbyists.
