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Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

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Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#61

Post by bodge5000 »

nstart wrote: post #48

For those mentioning the price, it's worth noting that you receive games for free on the device. That's part of the package From their homepage: > Here's the truly unique bit. Playdate isn't just an empty system. Once you set up your Playdate, you'll start to receive two brand new games... every week. For 12 weeks. > >That's 24 free games, in lots of genres. Some are short. Some are long. Will you love them all? Prob…

I think a kind of fencing game would be pretty cool, in which you turn the crank forwards to lunge forwards (maybe you only actually "strike" after a full turn, and the rest of it is just moving forwards) and jump backwards when you crank backwards. Would be especially cool if it were from the first person perspective (of course something very basic in terms of style, like vector tanks or something)

Really regretting cancelling my preorder now, I wanna make that :(

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#62

Post by bodge5000 »

aluminum96 wrote: post #28

This is typically lovely and well-designed Teenage Engineering hardware. I'm sure the buttons will feel great. I'm wary of buying it though, it might end up sitting on a shelf looking pretty like my Pocket Operator.

Hope it ends up better than the OP-Z buttons though. I haven't had a lot of trust in TE build quality since that, but it looks like the case at least is sturdier

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#63

Post by bodge5000 »

AussieWog93 wrote: post #51

A lot of people here seem to be surprised that people would spend $200 on a niche gaming console when you could instead get an emulation machine or "real" handheld. To add a bit of perspective, from someone who sells classic video games for a living: this console's main point isn't to be affordable or play high-end games. Its target market probably already owns an OLED Switch, a Vita, PSP, every DS model and 2 or 3 G…

I've said it so many times before even I'm getting bored of saying it, but it seems to me to be something closer to fantasy consoles than normal gaming handhelds. As you say its not meant to compete with the Switch, its much closer to something like pico-8 (obviously thats not hardware, you know what I mean) in my opinion.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#64

Post by mhitza »

I've been keeping an eye to this little novelty console for a while now, and the additional stereo dock could be a really nifty desk fidget.

While I won't be an early adopter of this console, I hope they it's not going to be a necessary limited edition so I'll have an easy time getting the combo at a later date.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#65

Post by okkdev »

squarefoot wrote: post #44

Way overpriced compared to other alternatives like the Odroid Go Advance which costs less than 1/3, runs Linux, can emulate plenty of other gaming platforms, and by having a gpio connector exposed to the outside and thoroughly documented hardware seems a really interesting hacking platform. Also, it employs both a RockChip RK3326 and a ESP32 module. https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-go-advance-black-edit... http…

That's not what I want tho. I want a neat unique device with certain restrictions to curb my creativity. I'm the target audience.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#66

Post by criddell »

squarefoot wrote: post #44

Way overpriced compared to other alternatives like the Odroid Go Advance which costs less than 1/3, runs Linux, can emulate plenty of other gaming platforms, and by having a gpio connector exposed to the outside and thoroughly documented hardware seems a really interesting hacking platform. Also, it employs both a RockChip RK3326 and a ESP32 module. https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-go-advance-black-edit... http…

Different products appeal to different people. For me, the Playdate is far more interesting. You get the device and 24 games and get to support the development of something novel. All that for less than $200? To me, that seems like a very reasonable price.

Plus, the Playdate has great industrial design. The Odroid is downright ugly in comparison.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#67

Post by boondaburrah »

squarefoot wrote: post #44

Way overpriced compared to other alternatives like the Odroid Go Advance which costs less than 1/3, runs Linux, can emulate plenty of other gaming platforms, and by having a gpio connector exposed to the outside and thoroughly documented hardware seems a really interesting hacking platform. Also, it employs both a RockChip RK3326 and a ESP32 module. https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-go-advance-black-edit... http…

They're not remotely the same product though. The person buying this /does not want/ those features, so those are actually downsides. They actively don't want emulation machines, because those machines never ship with any games they haven't played before (or could play other ways).

Also I held one in my hand early on in the pandemic (they did a small show where I was) and the thing /feels/ worth the asking price. It's really solid, and the SHARP "memory LCD" tech they're using is one of the clearest monochrome screens I've seen. OLED is more capable, but this is easier on the eyes and battery.

However, with price increase+shipping+tax, I can't afford one. I hope they become popular enough to either drop in price or do a mk2.

I would like GPIO though that'd be nice.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#68

Post by criddell »

rendall wrote: post #42

This reminds me of the Pokitto, created by my friend Jonne. It's a programmable pocket game console, too. https://www.pokitto.com With a clever and efficient BOM, he was able to get a color display and the price down to about 50 bucks. He's working on a networked version now.

Your friend may have the technical part down, but the design needs a lot of work. A gaming machine should be fun.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#69

Post by boondaburrah »

Gigachad wrote: post #24
HelixEndeavor wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not OLED. It's more like one of those LCD watch displays but massively technologically advanced forward.

Ah so it isn't. Still looks quite good in the images. High enough resolution to feel premium.

I've held one in my hand and damn that screen is clear as hell (but reflective) I think it sits somewhere between IPS and OLED for me, and being reflective it's easier to look at.

Re: Playdate Software Development Kit is now available for free to all

#70

Post by boondaburrah »

jokethrowaway wrote: post #47
the_arun wrote: post #18

Initial thoughts: 1. From the video on the site, device looks simple & portable. 2. The crank on the side makes you think it can play only 2D games. 3. $199 (device+cover) feels little expensive. 4. Display seems black white 5. Wonder why this was not done as an accessory device for smartphones instead of a separate device

The target is nostalgic tech old rich people tired of their iPhones. Not sure what's the intersection is with people who still play games.

TBH I think game devs will pick it up. There are a lot looking for new restrictions/features that will force them to make fun in different ways.
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