THE 64 - Computer and Handheld Console


Too many smart people preoccupied with developing small-size retro hardware these days.

I would rather see these gentlemen develop something modern with retro capabilities like pyra and promote it properly or even better - come up with fresh ideas to cater to 90s kids who grew up with a dream of computing/gaming utopia.

The handheld retro/nostalgia computing market is so oversaturated, that I can barely keep up to the point I don't even bother to check if newly announced device is fpga, reinvention or emulation.
 
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Woot, an other retro thing missing essential things, with a dubious crowd funding campaign... What could go wrong?
 
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Interesting comment on THE64's campaign. Considering how much fuss is being made on the Vega+, I'm surprised this one seems pretty quiet, especially considering who's involved and that they're miles behind their target, as well as expanding to products that weren't even planned for the campaign

Denis Moreaux 18 days ago
For quite some time, I keep seeing updates that looks more like “vapourware” than real advancement…
“mini console” (with photo of 3D printed box), “added a sticker”, “we’ll use a touchscreen”…
I can understand that you want to do it good at first try, but please don’t forget that we didn’t back a C=64 mini or a console with touchscreen…
Please make a comprehensive update : status of plastic box ? status of board ? status of mass manufacturing ? status of software ?

THE 64 Campaigner 14 days ago
Hi Denis Yes we are going to have no fear, its just waiting in a few things to be sorted with our distribution partners and we can tell, show and release a lot more.

Denis Moreaux 12 days ago
Again some vague assertion... what about telling us precise information of what is done and what is "to do" ? Posting pictures of prototype boards (or final one if production started) ? posting picture of already created molded plastic parts ? ... Please, show us some real progress... You're already 4 month after estimations, that may happen, just show us that something is really being done...
 
It seems like indiegogo is the place to go if you have an idea for a product but don't want to put in any work up front other than what is required to get the money coming in.

The video put up looks as bad as one from the Vega+ campaign, why all the electrical tape and the zooming in and out?

It just looks like some kind of Raspberry Pi / Arduino type board to me.

EDIT

Turns out the board is an a20-OLinuXIno-LIME2
 
Just the way these campaigns are for most of the technical products. On top of the fact that many of the indiegogo stuff does not have real prototypes, they also feature roadmaps that produce the items within 12month or less TM...
 
i wonder if i can get megabucks for funding a random project that i assign a deadline 5 years down the line to? (that might still be optimistic???)
 
The 64 campaign got $100k on Indiegogo. About 10% of that is lost in fees etc. So that means they got $90k.

However, do they also have to pay VAT/sales tax/tax on that?

Oddly, the company is in th UK but they collected funds in USD. So not sure what country tax rules apply if any

I guess the question is whether they keep the $90k or had to deduct tax from that?


I guess looking at their last update, it seems they are relying on a deal with the manufacturer in order to have them made. Perhaps the manufacturer is paying all expenses including molds etc in exchange for a percentage of the company. That or they got an Investment from some other company. I can't see any other way they would otherwise pay for the development and manufacture of the three consoles

Here was their last update:

Part 1 of 2 (10th May 2017)

Well where do we begin!

Yesterday we meet and had a full on extended meeting with our distribution/manufacturing partners here in the UK. But don’t be fooled, they are part of a global group, who work with some of the biggest game companies in the world. So here is a short summary of where we are, and what’s happening right now!

  • A deal has been agreed by all parties and is just pending the paperwork be verified by all parties (obviously IP contracts and so on have to be incorporated and sighted etc. etc.). It is anticipated this will take a few weeks, and then once complete full details of the partnership can be made public.
  • Pending that paperwork formality taking place, and not waiting for that the two companies have sub divided the joint tasks into three distinct group actions, with a lead person from both companies in each group.
  • Group one - as mentioned above, will carry out the legal formalities of paperwork, this has started today. Be under no illusion this is a huge undertaking for both companies, with large investments in terms of time, money, and commitment from all.
  • Group two – one of the design team is being tasked to travel to China next week, to work with the actual manufacturers of THE64 range, to expedite the whole manufacturing process ASAP! The sooner this happens, the sooner backers get their THE64’s prior to retail release.
  • Group three – this group is starting work on the joint preparation process of global game rating assessment (PEGI for Europe, the extra USK rating for Germany, ESRB for the USA, rating for Australia, and so on). Packaging designs can now start fully, full brand artwork, marketing and promotional materials, accessories, manuals and translations, videos, trailers and so on. The whole machine will now swing into action and we will show you are much of this process as is allowed as we move ahead.
So what does this mean to you guys?

Here are the rough time lines for the next few weeks…

  • Once the final paperwork is sorted as above, we will confirm who we are working with.
  • Once the paperwork and the China visit is over and the guys are back, etc. etc. we can confirm the manufacture and delivery time lines to you all (but more on that below).
  • We will try and give you a first glimpse at some of the box art work and so on as well!
  • We should be able to run the poll to give you guys a say in what games go on the range for the standard version!
Part 2 of 3 (10th May 2017)

(there will be three updates now as cant squeeze it all in!!)

What else can we tell you, well…

  • We can confirm that we are upgrading the specification of the originally planned ‘joypad’ to be included with the appropriate versions, (and also the promised EXTRA FREE one to all Indiegogo backers, and pre-order supporters to thank you for your patience and support) is now going to be upgraded to a JOYSTICK!! You can guess what it’s going to look like….!!
  • We are almost certainly going to do several special edition bundles… we think we can offer all Indiegogo backers, and those pre-ordered web supporters an option to stay with the standard versions they are down for now, or take the option of instead substituting the standard versions for the special edition versions planned at no extra cost! More details on those as soon as possible!
  • We are looking at the most appropriate way to work with our partners to take pre-orders for people wanting to guarantee that they get THE64 MINI, THE64 Full Size Keyboard, THE64 special editions and so on prior to retail release… we all know demand sometimes is higher than supply for new popular consoles especially as people often want them as gifts for Xmas, but we will try to avoid that if we can for people (not already down for one) to pre-order systems and special offers. So if you want to make sure, and don’t want to rely on getting one from the stores (and not already ordered), hang tight we will roll that out ASAP as well potentially!
Finally, of course we know you want to see more, to know more, and we are going as fast as we can, but logistically we are now talking a global roll out, across many countries, many variations and it really is a huge deal!

Part 3 of 3 (10th May 2017)

Finally, of course we know you want to see more, to know more, and we are going as fast as we can, but logistically we are now talking a global roll out, across many countries, many variations and it really is a huge deal!

But things we can confirm to you all –

  • Backers and pre-orders will be fulfilled before retail sales commence; we WILL BE in global retail in advance of Christmas 2017, but backers/pre-orders before that time.
  • There is THE64 MINI, but yes there is THE64 full sized keyboard also (just to be clear), and the Handheld ASAP also! Plus you will be able to buy extra official Joysticks, and other special editions, and bundles, accessories and so on as above also. We will explain soon how the whole range works!
  • We will tell and show as much as we can, as soon as we can at each stage.
  • All being well the first time the public will get to see THE64 range should be at the biggest game event in the world E3 in the USA later this year, more on that ASAP (but don’t worry anyone who can’t get to it we will also roll out full video access for you all as well!!)
  • Following on from that THE64 will also feature at Gamescom later in the year in Germany!

So make sure you come and see us at one of these events!

As ever we want to thank you all for your support, and your patience, so now strap yourselves in, and lets start the engines please!! Keep watching!!
 
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Hadn't seen this update yet, but hmmmm, yes... Here's a few things that immediately strike me.
  • I see they're clearly looking at all the retail options rather than fulfilling the indiegogo orders
  • THE64 MINI seems to very much be at the top of their list, despite it not even being part of the indiegogo campaign
 
I just skimmed through their updates and there was a few things of note

1) They are not taking salaries and the money raised from the Indiegogo campaign has been ring fenced for production and manufacturing of the backer units.

2) Since there was a shortfall in funding ie they didn't reach their Indiegogo funding goal, they said they had gotten some additional funding elsewhere.

3) They said that if there is a shortfall , they will make up the difference with their own money.
 
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2) Since there was a shortfall in funding ie they didn't reach their Indiegogo funding goal, they said they had gotten some additional funding elsewhere.

I suspect that the whole 64 Mini business has been dictated by an investor. I wasn't really convinced on the two different models to begin with, let alone introducing a third before they've even started.
 
I suspect that the whole 64 Mini business has been dictated by an investor. I wasn't really convinced on the two different models to begin with, let alone introducing a third before they've even started.
Interesting theory, but I don't know, seems a bit weird to me. You're investing into an unproven company and before you've even seen a hint of the first two products you're asking them to make another?
I don't remember them ever quoting any sizes (and too lazy to check), but if the investor did ask for a smaller "desktop", why not shrink your desktop product down a bit? I suppose if the mainboard fits both, then it'd just need a second case moulding producing and whatever changes to the keyboard that's needed, but still additional work on top of the rest of the stuff they've already not done
 
None of it makes sense.

I was tempted to use a tool to analyse the text in their updates for verbs (what they are "doing"). I suspect the most frequent verbs would be: "planning", "meeting", "scheduling", rather than, preferably, "developing", "testing", "producing"...
 
I suspect that the reason they're focusing on the portable handheld version is because all they need to do is create the emulator software and commission some case molds. They already have the internal tech worked out - it's almost certainly the same as their other project, the Vega+. Hell, that might even be one of the reasons why they've not handed everything over, and still retain their positions as shareholders in RCL...
 
THE64 MINI isn't their handheld, but to be fair, I don't really know what they are working on. (IMO) They just seem to mention the MINI far too much considering it wasn't part of the campaign. But certainly what you said makes a lot of sense
 
They showed the Mini in the second last update, in all it's prototype plastics glory



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