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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: dante on Sun, 08 November 2015, 07:35:23

Title: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: dante on Sun, 08 November 2015, 07:35:23
What would you make if you were in charge of making a video game console/handheld?

You could release this hypothetical device in the past, present, or future.


For a modern handheld I'd nickname mine 'Curses'; after the screen handling library by Ken Arnold.

Attributes:
- Text mode only (80x24), but has color for ANSI.
- No sound.
- Built in keyboard.  Micro-USB/Bluetooth to use your own.
- Runs things like Roguelikes (ie: NetHack), Dwarf Fortress, Netris, Zork, etc...
- Extremely energy efficient.  The goal would be to let it be left on for over a month.
- Composite output should you want it on a CRT. The screen would then shut off for additional energy savings.
- Networkable so you can copy files over, play multiuser games (mAngband?), SSH remote into servers.
- Would have a solar panel accessory that would it allow it to run completely off basic lighting.
- Utilities are included to view ANSI art and run Interactive Fiction files.

Audience?
- For those who love text based games.
- Those unwilling to let go of the past.
- Folks in countries that don't have reliable power.
- And preppers.  :p
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:02:10
Sounds a bit like banana oat, ahem, Ben Nanonote.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: dante on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:09:56
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:02:10
Sounds a bit like banana oat, ahem, Ben Nanonote.

I just checked out that device; yes similiar!  I changed my specs above to add a built in keyboard.  A micro USB/bluetooth interface would be available to use your own board.

The Ben Nanonote contains high resolution graphics which add to complexity and energy consumption.  It also has no networking capabilities and very little data storage.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:30:33
It supports networking over USB and there's a microSD slot (which, I believe, could be used to host a WiFi card).
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: dante on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:37:53
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:30:33
It supports networking over USB and there's a microSD slot (which, I believe, could be used to host a WiFi card).

I stand corrected.  Still it would need wifi for access to free internet.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:40:29
Then you're getting close to OpenPandora or (more recently) Dragonbox Pyra.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:50:54
It would fit in my hands
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: beehatch on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:59:39
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:50:54
It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 09:02:40
Quote from: beehatch on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:59:39
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:50:54
It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY
I've yet to hear a complaint
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: beehatch on Sun, 08 November 2015, 09:25:31
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 09:02:40
Quote from: beehatch on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:59:39
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:50:54
It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY
I've yet to hear a complaint
I think we all know guys don't complain over handjobs.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 09:26:11
Quote from: beehatch on Sun, 08 November 2015, 09:25:31
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 09:02:40
Quote from: beehatch on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:59:39
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 November 2015, 08:50:54
It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY
I've yet to hear a complaint
I think we all know guys don't complain over handjobs.

At least one of us has a good track record.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 08 November 2015, 10:16:15
Ok, mine would look as follows.

It would be a standard size desktop.

Completely NONE mobile.

No wireless capabilities what-so-ever.

++ ERGODOX

Wired mice.

6700k overclocked to 4.8ghz.



Yup, that's what my handheld would look like.

And NO, i don't want to take it anywhere.
Title: Re: What would your videogame console/handheld look like?
Post by: GuilleAcoustic on Thu, 12 November 2015, 17:05:08
Very interesting ! I recently bought an Odroid-W, which uses the same SOC than the Raspberry Pi A+/B+. The differences are:
Planning to use it to build a retrogaming handheld console.

(https://jeanleflambeur.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/2014-10-09-16-12-27.jpg)