Author Topic: [IC] 8-Bit 60 - A Retro Gaming Themed board (Read 21462 times)

Swishy · « **on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:34:09 »

8Bit 60

I would like to share with you a board I have been working on for the past seven months - the 8-Bit 60

This board is inspired by popular portable gaming systems from the late 80s.

To pay homage to the console that inspired me I wanted to include features such as wireless connectivity, a working power switch, and a functional USB hub.

My goal was to recreate my childhood, while also making something new.

Pricing: Estimated pricing is around $489 USD

Specs
5˚ Typing angle

As for PCBs, Bluetooth (by Ella) will be a basic bluetooth PCB; Wired (by Sleepdealer) will offer a buzzer feature to be able to play 8-Bit tunes on start-up

Difference between BT and Wired
- BT: no ISO, no Piezo buzzer, ZMK
- Wired: Piezo buzzer, QMK/VIA/L

- BOTH will support uses of the power switch, although it will differ depending on how you want to use it. Both will be able to use the usb hub (note BT can only use the usb hub when plugged in)

Layout:

Note: ISO will not be supported for the Bluetooth variant

Tops:

IC FORM
I can’t stress this enough, I make a lot of my decisions based on IC forms for all my projects, so if you really want to be heard please make sure you fill it out. Especially for this project as pricing will be heavily based on interest. Currently it’s estimated based on three hundred orders, but if interest shows that we can do better then there can be room for more.

Photos:

V2 protos

Wired Lighting Demo

Wired Sound Demo

V1 Protos

More

Uncoated Copper weight (will have a finish in the next proto)

Render:
(final colors will be selected based on the IC form)

More

What’s next?

- Finalize color selections (more on that in IC form); this will include the amount of Alu and poly option there will be.

- I am currently thinking about using magnets to hold the top case and bottom case together, as opposed to case screws. I still need to add feet to the board, but I don’t really like how the screw holes affect the placement. I want this board to have a very clean aesthetic and I feel the screw holes at the bottom get in the way.

- I want to play around with bottom mount possibilities. I really want this board to be able to do both top and bottom mount, its quite easy to do but i just have to try it out and see if its really worth it.

With many of my projects, I like to take time and get feedback and make changes. I also like to bounce ideas off of the community to see if we can make things even better. I have decided to create a design server to help with that, which will be used for following all my creations and ideas as they blossom

If you would like to be apart of the process you can join here

BIG thanks to:

Typo.mk for doing the weight design and being a 8-Bit ride or die since day one

RayHHDaiLo for providing tons of feedback during the design process

40s community, yes I will still be doing the original 8-Bit 45, it’s just been put on pause for a lil bit

Swishy · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:34:55 »

After looking at IC responses i have a couple things to clarify:

- the most requested change was layout not the majority, but it definitely made itself show. This is something im definitely open to, but would need to determine after 8-Bit 60 runs.

- the switch for the wired pcb is basically another matrix switch, meaning if you want it to do something other than do a start up noise you can. You can have it be a layer switch, only turn on and off the light, or anything you can do normally with qmk/via.

- Led, I saw a lot of request for it to have the ability to indicate other things i.e. (caps, layers, and so on) and it can!

- Lastly, I saw a lot of request for more colors, but i believe for this round it will be limited to 8; an importnat part to a GB is fulfillment the more factors you add the more complicated it becomes. With the board already being two toned in some events. For the sake of reducing possible errors there will be a 8 colors 5 anodized/ecoat and 3 poly and maybe frosted polycarbonate since its quite easy to do.

ankit · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:38:33 »

This is slick af, glwic

Bub · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:43:04 »

photos look nice. don't love big bezels personally, but i know a lot of folks do, and it fits the theme. my personal advice would just be go for top mount and not mess around with bottom mount bc everyone will top mount it anyway.

frostykoala · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:44:31 »

looks great.

Laur · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:50:23 »

great job swishy, glad you finally got it to IC.

FreshFromTheGrave · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 14:53:27 »

Swish this is super cool wtf D: I don't like 60% at all and I still want one lol.

guill3m · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:05:04 »

Great looking board and the buzzer is a nice touch, good rendition of the inspiration

The proto photos don't have infill, the renders do. Will the final board have infill?

Findecanor · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:05:36 »

I would never buy a 60%, but I love retro gaming. Some notes though:
- A USB hub and USB pass-through are two different things.
- The angled corner reminds me of Hyperkin's retro-consoles and peripherals. (Too much...)

TyPo.mk · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:17:46 »

Been waiting for you to post this, such a cool board

Swishy · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:18:40 »

Quote from: guill3m on Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:05:04

Great looking board and the buzzer is a nice touch, good rendition of the inspiration

The proto photos don't have infill, the renders do. Will the final board have infill?

Yes that will come with the v2 protos which should be done later next month

pixelpusher · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:38:37 »

I like the concept a lot. I seem to remember another recent keyboard that tried to implement USB passthrough and having troubles... so if it's an issue, I'd be 100% okay with not passthrough.

Could do a pin mount like Prophet or Angel and have removable standoffs in the bottom (I say that as I'm typing on my Angel 65 and absolutely loving the feel). That way you could add the standoffs back in if you wanted more of a tray mounted feel. But honestly I'd be fine with top or sandwich mount. It's a lovely design

Oh.... and Optical hotswap option please

lowercaselena · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 17:26:22 »

it looks really good! i'm excited to see the finalised colourways

HungHingDaiLo · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 05 April 2022, 20:24:29 »

This is poggers

Shell058 · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 06 April 2022, 05:07:14 »

amazing beautiful board, sign me up for at least one. thank you for including split space!!

meawto · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 06 April 2022, 07:14:43 »

Alps support please

be3aial · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 06 April 2022, 08:04:32 »

love retro and 60%. definitely in!

syberghost · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 06 April 2022, 11:08:40 »

An actual Gameboy has screws on the back, so if you really want to go for that aesthetic, just use black screws.

Space_Case88 · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 07 April 2022, 20:36:30 »

Yeah, I like this a lot. Would love to see a clear polycarb option with some underglow.

neoknob · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 09 April 2022, 15:29:05 »

Its really nice, looking forward for more prototype pictures.

less_blank · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 09 April 2022, 19:12:51 »

This looks neat. Just personal preference but i think i would prefer if the purple was a little less saturated and opaque (same with pink) so that it would look closer to the actual gameboy. Also think the beige could be tweaked some so that its less golden hued and more of a grayish beige so it has more of that retro gameboy look.

Applet · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 10 April 2022, 02:50:27 »

It's so cute, GL with IC and GB!

pixelpusher · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 10 April 2022, 11:47:21 »

Will the bottom right detail look "off" with HHKB blockers? Do you have any renders of a HHKB top? I see the very first one, but the angle makes it hard to tell. Do you have that one from the front or top?

Swishy · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 12 April 2022, 15:18:22 »

Quote from: pixelpusher on Sun, 10 April 2022, 11:47:21

Will the bottom right detail look "off" with HHKB blockers? Do you have any renders of a HHKB top? I see the very first one, but the angle makes it hard to tell. Do you have that one from the front or top?

This second proto will be hhkb, but personally I don’t believe so. I will also do more renders, soon. It’s getting close to finals, so I am a bit crammed right now. By the end of April, I will have time to update further.

Quote from: syberghost on Wed, 06 April 2022, 11:08:40

An actual Gameboy has screws on the back, so if you really want to go for that aesthetic, just use black screws.

True, but as written before its inspired not trying to be it, and I feel the hole deter from the design. I have also gotten feedback from other in the IC who feel the same.

Quote from: guill3m on Tue, 05 April 2022, 15:05:04

Great looking board and the buzzer is a nice touch, good rendition of the inspiration

The proto photos don't have infill, the renders do. Will the final board have infill?

To continue my last response

The next proto will have the infill, the first was for testing machining as both the top and bottom require 5-axis machining due to the grooves interacting on two faces.

Neely_12 · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 15 April 2022, 23:03:35 »

Really like the thicker bezels and all of the little added details make it pretty unique. Looking forward to this

^prince · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 16 April 2022, 04:28:34 »

Not my thing but I know others will love this. GL!

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 16 April 2022, 12:43:15 »

Mounting not good

pixelpusher · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 16 April 2022, 14:05:04 »

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 12:43:15

Mounting not good

Could you be more specific? Are you saying where the plate mounts to the top is not good? I suppose it could use an o-ring or "burger" between the plate and the top, but I like top mount boards most of all.

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 16 April 2022, 15:48:40 »

Quote from: pixelpusher on Sat, 16 April 2022, 14:05:04

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 12:43:15
Mounting not good

Could you be more specific? Are you saying where the plate mounts to the top is not good? I suppose it could use an o-ring or "burger" between the plate and the top, but I like top mount boards most of all.

They are too close to the center. It will be unstable near the top left and right corners especially because of this.

lys.nordique · « **Reply #29 on:** Sat, 16 April 2022, 16:04:35 »

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 15:48:40

Quote from: pixelpusher on Sat, 16 April 2022, 14:05:04
Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 12:43:15
Mounting not good

Could you be more specific? Are you saying where the plate mounts to the top is not good? I suppose it could use an o-ring or "burger" between the plate and the top, but I like top mount boards most of all.

They are too close to the center. It will be unstable near the top left and right corners especially because of this.

wtf

pixelpusher · « **Reply #30 on:** Sat, 16 April 2022, 17:57:51 »

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 15:48:40

Quote from: pixelpusher on Sat, 16 April 2022, 14:05:04
Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 12:43:15
Mounting not good

Could you be more specific? Are you saying where the plate mounts to the top is not good? I suppose it could use an o-ring or "burger" between the plate and the top, but I like top mount boards most of all.

They are too close to the center. It will be unstable near the top left and right corners especially because of this.

Perhaps move the mounting points on the top out about 2cm more than proposed? Or would you move them all the way out and add a third?

Swishy · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 24 April 2022, 23:32:49 »

Quote from: pixelpusher on Sat, 16 April 2022, 17:57:51

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 15:48:40
Quote from: pixelpusher on Sat, 16 April 2022, 14:05:04
Quote from: treeleaf64 on Sat, 16 April 2022, 12:43:15
Mounting not good

Could you be more specific? Are you saying where the plate mounts to the top is not good? I suppose it could use an o-ring or "burger" between the plate and the top, but I like top mount boards most of all.
Plate is still being worked on, mounting is something I really like to experiment around with but also like to base off feedback, especially since the consumer is the one who has to use it.

They are too close to the center. It will be unstable near the top left and right corners especially because of this.

Perhaps move the mounting points on the top out about 2cm more than proposed? Or would you move them all the way out and add a third?

pixelpusher · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 01 August 2022, 11:32:08 »

Any developments on this project?

Swishy · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 01 August 2022, 19:33:41 »

Quote from: pixelpusher on Mon, 01 August 2022, 11:32:08

Any developments on this project?

Yes, v2 is finished but still waiting on protos. The first proto would’ve been done early July but burned in a fire, so it had to be redone.The manu told me will be done on the 5th of August, so I should have photos to share soonTM.

phinix · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 03 August 2022, 03:19:06 »

Fantastic design!

Tsenohebot · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 03 August 2022, 14:55:22 »

pfft looks average.......I'LL TAKE YOUR ENTIRE STOCK!

Swishy · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 04 August 2022, 01:47:49 »

The Alu v2 proto is has finished anodization and will have infill done to it then will work it’s way to me

A sneak peek from the manu

That’s right I specified alu cause I have placed an order for poly but machining queue line is pretty long

Small update on the pcbs: soldered is finished, and I still need to order protos for the BT variant once I have everything we will move into phase 2 which is streamers I won’t go into too much detail on that yet as I haven’t thought it through yet. I am really happy with how things are turning out hope to be able to share with y’all soon™️

pixelpusher · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 04 August 2022, 07:12:50 »

Stunning 😍

vhaarr · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 07 August 2022, 03:19:23 »

Looks so good. Personally I can't wait to see the poly yellow! :-D Take my money!

Swishy · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 22 September 2022, 19:21:12 »

ok finally took photos

next step is waiting on the Bluetooth pcb, slider and usb pcb
once that is done I will be doing a mini private run to find any other kinks that need to be worked out.
then i need to figure out streamers and start thinking about a GB date

pixelpusher · « **Reply #40 on:** Fri, 23 September 2022, 09:22:54 »

Woop Woop 🙌

Flybeck · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 23 September 2022, 10:42:21 »

Pretty neat concept. Good luck moving forward.

Swishy · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 29 September 2022, 01:27:33 »

Quote from: Flybeck on Fri, 23 September 2022, 10:42:21

Pretty neat concept. Good luck moving forward.

thanks

Swishy · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 12 January 2023, 12:58:06 »

Just replying to let you know im still working on this, pcbs are taking wayyyyyyy longer than expected.

pixelpusher · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 12 January 2023, 14:55:27 »

Quote from: Swishy on Thu, 12 January 2023, 12:58:06

Just replying to let you know im still working on this, pcbs are taking wayyyyyyy longer than expected.

Happy to see this still alive and kicking. Are the PCB complications caused by the USB hub? I could live without it

Swishy · « **Reply #45 on:** Fri, 13 January 2023, 01:47:34 »

Quote from: pixelpusher on Thu, 12 January 2023, 14:55:27

Quote from: Swishy on Thu, 12 January 2023, 12:58:06
Just replying to let you know im still working on this, pcbs are taking wayyyyyyy longer than expected.

Happy to see this still alive and kicking. Are the USB complications caused by the USB hub? I could live without it

It’s more of a logistical issue

Silentism · « **Reply #46 on:** Fri, 13 January 2023, 03:18:33 »

This is the coolest board I've seen, and probably one of the few I feel like might justify a $400+ price assuming it sounds really good. GLWGB

Mechboards · « **Reply #47 on:** Fri, 13 January 2023, 05:33:28 »

Really looking forward to this - glad it's still alive!

Swishy · « **Reply #48 on:** Tue, 14 March 2023, 00:12:20 »

https://streamable.com/llsz9s
As of today we are fully operational more info when i wake up
Things I will talk about in order of importance:
Bluetooth
Protos
Pricing
Plans going forward

Shiny1 · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 14 March 2023, 05:08:56 »

I'm late to the party, but the IC form didn't appear to have the gold/azuki red colour options. Is it a thing?
Also, is there a possibility of larger than 60% layout?

News:

Author Topic: [IC] 8-Bit 60 - A Retro Gaming Themed board (Read 21462 times)