Wanna build your own game console? XGameStation shows
you how
The XGameStation is
designed to teach gamers how to make their own console! GameZone speaks to
its creator to find out how it’s done.
Is there anything the
gaming industry can’t do? It went from zero dollars to movie-sized profits in
a decade. Individual game series have competed with the most successful
recording artists and continue to outlast them. In the 80s and throughout
most of the 90s games were considered to be nothing more than a toy. Now
they’re considered a career path, with specific degrees dedicated to them.
And not just for making or marketing them – some people get paid just to
play them.
Soon another gaming
innovation will come into play: the do-it-yourself game console.
Due for release this
December, the XGameStation is the first of its kind. Unable to
contain our excitement, we contacted the XGameStation’s creator,
Andre’ LaMothe,
to find out how he made this revolutionary tool, what it involves, and what it
will take for a gamer to build a console himself.
The XGameStation is quite an ambitious
project. Tell us your story – how it got started, why you began the project,
and what you hope to achieve with it.
Andre’ LaMothe:
I have been writing
books about software game development for a long time. However, I feel that I
have explored all there is to be explored for the most part with books that
are 2000 pages or less, that combined with my game series under Premier Press
makes me feel game development software books are pretty much handled now.
Thus, I wanted to explore something really new, really hard, really black art
and that’s hardware of course. When I was 10 years old I would have loved to
pick up a book/kit on how to develop my own video game system. The
XGameStation is motivated from those thoughts more or less.
How long did it take you to
design the XGameStation?
AL:
Each prototype takes a few weeks to design, the XGameStation is a project in
flux and I am not done with it yet – the entire hardware development will end
up taking about 6-8 months I think.
How do you "build" this
console yourself? What all is involved?
AL:
You don’t. The XGameStation comes completely assembled, you LEARN to build one
yourself and have the tools to do so if you want to. However, given the skill
needed to wire wrap, solder, etc. I would be a little crazy to release the
XGameStation in "kit" form unassembled 🙂 Thus, it already comes pre-built.
Game programming. How does it work? Can
you program games using the system itself, or is a PC necessary to do this?
AL:
You can use a PC to program in C and then download the code to the
XGameStation. However, one of the key fun factors is to just sit down with an
XGameStation and a TV, keyboard and program. Thus the XGS comes with built in
BASIC, so all you need is the XGS to program games, no PC required.
What is included with the XGameStation?
What will gamers see when they open the box for the very first time?
AL:
This is still slightly up in the air, but they will see the XGS itself, one
program flash cartridge, the CDs with eBook(s), the power supply adaptor,
cables, and that’s it. Optional equipment will be an added 65816, Z840020
processor, more cartridges, and possible NTSC-PAL conversion box if the first
systems don’t have built-in PAL.
Technologically, where does
this console stand?
AL:
Nowhere really. It’s designed to be as simple as possible, since the point of
the XGS is to teach hardware. Thus, think of the XGS as the "Hello World" of
video game hardware. However, as of now I think the ARM7 is going to be my
choice as the final main CPU at 33-66 MIPS and an FPGA GPU that does basic
sprite, character, and bitmap graphics in 4-256 colors. 1-4 Megs of RAM.
How advanced are the audio
capabilities?
AL:
FM sound with possible digital sound. Nothing goes in the XGS that I can’t
teach to the readers and they can understand and build.
What type of media does it
use?
AL:
Flash cartridges with some onboard flash for firmware and built in apps like
XGS BASIC.
Are there going to be any games available
to buy for, or are gamers encouraged to create a development community and
handle this themselves?
AL:
I don’t know, if people make games that run on it and people want to buy them
great, but I think that would be a consumer angle and we aren’t trying to
penetrate that market. However, I think anything money that will change hands
will change hands via people developing hardware hacks and add-ons to the XGS.
However, we will surely encourage people to port as many games and emulators
as possible to the XGS. I am mainly concerned with getting MAME, Intellivision,
Atari 2600, etc. ported ASAP if the XGS can run fast enough to do the
emulation.
Have any price points been estimated?
What is the highest or lowest price point that you are trying to avoid for the
XGameStation?
AL:
I have pinned it down to $100-200. Until manufacturing [begins] I can’t be
anymore specific, but once we can build them in lots of 1000 at a time prices
will come down slightly.
Is the XGameStation going to be sold
exclusively through your site, or will it be available through other venues?
AL:
Our site, Amazon, Lik-Sang, and other worldwide distributors. Additionally we
may get some physical distribution in specialty shops [such as] Electronic
Boutique in the USA.
What kind of a controller does this
console use?
AL:
I want to make the interface compatible with standard PlayStation controllers.
Additionally, I will throw in a DB9 connector or two for some good old Atari
joysticks.
Given the XGameStation’s build-it-yourself
nature, is it possible to manually tweak its performance beyond its original
form?
AL:
Absolutely, this is what it’s all about. I can’t wait to see someone overclock
it to 100 Mhz 🙂
Thank you for your time.
For more information on
this exciting development tool, visit the
Official XGameStation Web Site –
www.xgamestation.com
