This is why I really want to make my own open-source console platform.
Indie developers can target it, it can have some kind of cartridges (probably flash based) which people can sell directly, and complete open-source and hackable (but with simple ways to customize, so people can buy accesssories instead of making them, if they’re not maker inclined).
If enough people could use this console, then even AAA devs might consider it.
But the problem is it has to be decently powerful while staying affordable. Traditionally consoles lose money (recouped when people buy first party titles). It’s a failed business model as evident by all these major studios moving away from it. First SEGA leaving the console market, then Nintendo making Game Key Cards, and now Sony removing physical all together.
I mean tbh, people could simply target the Raspberry Pi 3B as a standard platform for gaming. Those still go for $35, unlike the Pi 4 and Pi 5, and are capable of 2D games and limited 3D games (perfectly fine for Indie). It runs Linux which is easy enough to develop for both in direct code and from game engines (except Unreal which is annoying about it). Add some sort of “card hat” like those readers a few people have made, and it could be great for that world at least. Wrap it up into a product for like $50 with a controller and it could be something
But idk, the AAA world is gonna continue to shift from these models. At least PC is a bit better with its digital storefronts, but it’s not perfect either, and you still don’t “own” anything.
Personal ownership of games is definitely a problem we should try to solve, but I have doubts that forced use of expensive cartridges are the right way to do it. Devices are just simpler without the need to interface with those mediums. Supposedly many console failures related to the disc drive.
SKG’s approach is legislative - mandating an end of life plan for any games using servers. Even something as simple as use of Denuvo servers might need to become DRM-free if the alternative is to just takedown the servers (but honestly, it’s surprising they don’t just end the Denuvo subscriptions when sales taper off, which would basically serve the same case)
Im sorry if this sounds cold, because I agree with you, but I feel like it would take ALOT to ever get something like this off the ground let alone profitable enough to make sure it survives. It would take a massive injection of money by the biggest companies to create something that people would even look twice at sadly.
The closest thing to what you are proposing would be the failed OUYA console back in like 2013. It didnt invest in physical media, but it did want a store where indie developers can market exclusive games with the same hopes you had where it would get big enough to gain the attention of bigger companies. I invested in the kickstarter and had one, it was cool but needed a lot of work and fizzled out when it became clear that they were not going to make money off that model as there were not enough quality games being made to keep it afloat. On top of this the handful of really good games just ended up being ported to Steam, Switch, and even PS or Xbox which meant why bother at all buying it on OUYA. I think the biggest successful game that they had first was Towerfall.
The ARM nature of the Pi could make it difficult depending on Engine. Might be better to look at an x86_64 SBC to build a platform on. Those tend to be more expensive tho
This is why I really want to make my own open-source console platform.
Indie developers can target it, it can have some kind of cartridges (probably flash based) which people can sell directly, and complete open-source and hackable (but with simple ways to customize, so people can buy accesssories instead of making them, if they’re not maker inclined).
If enough people could use this console, then even AAA devs might consider it.
But the problem is it has to be decently powerful while staying affordable. Traditionally consoles lose money (recouped when people buy first party titles). It’s a failed business model as evident by all these major studios moving away from it. First SEGA leaving the console market, then Nintendo making Game Key Cards, and now Sony removing physical all together.
I mean tbh, people could simply target the Raspberry Pi 3B as a standard platform for gaming. Those still go for $35, unlike the Pi 4 and Pi 5, and are capable of 2D games and limited 3D games (perfectly fine for Indie). It runs Linux which is easy enough to develop for both in direct code and from game engines (except Unreal which is annoying about it). Add some sort of “card hat” like those readers a few people have made, and it could be great for that world at least. Wrap it up into a product for like $50 with a controller and it could be something
But idk, the AAA world is gonna continue to shift from these models. At least PC is a bit better with its digital storefronts, but it’s not perfect either, and you still don’t “own” anything.
Personal ownership of games is definitely a problem we should try to solve, but I have doubts that forced use of expensive cartridges are the right way to do it. Devices are just simpler without the need to interface with those mediums. Supposedly many console failures related to the disc drive.
SKG’s approach is legislative - mandating an end of life plan for any games using servers. Even something as simple as use of Denuvo servers might need to become DRM-free if the alternative is to just takedown the servers (but honestly, it’s surprising they don’t just end the Denuvo subscriptions when sales taper off, which would basically serve the same case)
This idea is honestly pointless. PC exists and is perfect because piracy exists.
“Piracy” only as a form of conservancy, I suppose?
Im sorry if this sounds cold, because I agree with you, but I feel like it would take ALOT to ever get something like this off the ground let alone profitable enough to make sure it survives. It would take a massive injection of money by the biggest companies to create something that people would even look twice at sadly.
The closest thing to what you are proposing would be the failed OUYA console back in like 2013. It didnt invest in physical media, but it did want a store where indie developers can market exclusive games with the same hopes you had where it would get big enough to gain the attention of bigger companies. I invested in the kickstarter and had one, it was cool but needed a lot of work and fizzled out when it became clear that they were not going to make money off that model as there were not enough quality games being made to keep it afloat. On top of this the handful of really good games just ended up being ported to Steam, Switch, and even PS or Xbox which meant why bother at all buying it on OUYA. I think the biggest successful game that they had first was Towerfall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouya
The closest thing we have to a open source gaming console is the steam machine
But yeah, having open source gaming consoles would be cool
I wish they would exist too
The ARM nature of the Pi could make it difficult depending on Engine. Might be better to look at an x86_64 SBC to build a platform on. Those tend to be more expensive tho