I've been having the same thought as was on here a couple of days ago, about an indie console based on off-the-shelf components and a modified Linux OS. It's been going around my head since the first mention of the Phantom all those years ago. However, I have a slightly strange Help Wanted question (thus the reason for the non-formatting): What do you want in the console? As, I'd hope game developers would know what the ideal specs for a console/dev enviroment, and it'd hopefully be your games on the system. What kind of processor? What GPU? Do we need a PPU? Just your input in the design phase. cheers [Edited by - spacemonkeystudios on August 31, 2005 8:37:15 AM]

I'm gonna kick it to Game Design, I think that's probably a bit more appropriate.

Personally, I'm quite against the idea, as it's really just a PC in a fancy box. If it were well done thought with proper controllers and all it could be interesting, but for now the Dreamcast is a pretty good option.

Are you able to create a commercial game for the Dreamcast without being sued?

Aren't any consoles just components in a fancy box?

Quote:

Original post by spacemonkeystudios Are you able to create a commercial game for the Dreamcast without being sued?

Yep, it's been done. You don't need any of the official tools to develop something, meaning you don't need to licence anything. It's probably the most indy-friendly console out there, and although the hardware isn't great anymore it's still fairly decent.

Quote:

Aren't any consoles just components in a fancy box?

Sure, but they aren't usually off-the-shelf components. In the case of commercial consoles those parts have usually been extensively modified before being put into the fancy box, giving us all sorts of potential benefits. You can also be absolutely sure everyone has uniform hardware specs apart from the occasional modded console, which you don't need to support anyways.

Well, if its perfectly leagal to create and sell an indie-Dreamcast game, then scrap this idea.
I always said the Dreamcast should be opened to indies (for over a year I've sent e-mails to Sega, yet never had a reply...).

ProjectMode on the Dreamcast here we come!