Playdate seems to me like a masterclass in marketing. The device is nothing extraordinary (imo), but it's presented and marketed in a way that makes it interesting.
All Panic stuff is like that - they have great style.
Playdate pre-orders begin in July
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Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#22I think the design and concept are really cool but it seems like actually owning it would get old too fast and be more of a novelty. I could see myself buying this if it could emulate NES or GameBoy games though.
You want the Analog Pocket: https://www.analogue.co/pocket , but its preorders instantly sold out, and its first shipment has been delayed until end of year. Or one of the cheaper Chinese devices like the Retroid Pocket or RG531p
Wow the Analogue marketing is really working on me haha. These devices look really great!
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#23I appreciate the ~decent textContent. Telling exactly what purpose(s) JavaScript serves helps make an informed decision on whether to open a graphical web browser or continue with w3m. (In this case, it was obvious I could read on about Playdate just fine.)
I've grown sick of create-react-app default textContent.
> Hello! Javascript is required for purchasing, signing up for the newsletter, viewing videos, and other content on this page. Please enable Javascript.
> Your browser doesn't seem to support video.
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#24Playdate seems to me like a masterclass in marketing. The device is nothing extraordinary (imo), but it's presented and marketed in a way that makes it interesting.
I think the hardware is notably whimsical (crank, very nice 1-bit display combined with ‘fast’ processor). I agree that there’s a lot hanging on marketing/hype, but part of it is just how people like Panic overall.
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#25Looks blocky and uncomfortable to hold. Has a black and white screen with no backlight. Can't play Nintendo ROMS. Is a subscription service...
The marketing is flashy, but I have zero interest in this product.
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#26It looks amazing, but... why? I can't see myself spending more than 10 bucks on something like this. There are plenty of "vintage styled" games on Steam, getting a Raspberry Pi and putting it into a nice cover would be probably cheaper.
You could do it in a weekend, right?
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#27Oh nice, Lua support! Should make porting one of my games (that I already mostly ported to Pico-8) to this little guy. Maybe I'll finally finish the Pico-8 port while I'm at it.
This is the original Flash version from back in the day. I'm also working on a 3D sequel with Twitch support in my limited spare time: https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/183428
I don't know why, but I have a good feeling that this device will be fairly successful. Maybe it's just good marketing on their part.
I don't really have a good idea of how to make good use of the crank, except maybe add something that allows you to go back and forward in time (at least undo support). Maybe I'll even alter the mechanics to take advantage of it, like that 5D chess game.
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#28Knowing teenageenginering, that thing is built like a brick, full aluminium and will outlast you
My pocket operators disagree - Love them to death, but I just know I'll break them some time soon (and I know I can get a case, but the device itself is NOT build that strongly).
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#29Despite having little interest in buying one myself, a suite of specially-developed surprise games seems like an interesting idea kinda like the Humble Indie Bundles... plus the upcoming web-based SDK to make your own!
Also cool to see the fantastic poolside.fm in a screenshot although the pen-holder dock feels a little kitsch. It's promising, however, that the design partners are Teenage Engineering - known for their Pocket Operators and the truly amazing OP-1 all in one synth[0] for which I strongly vouch.
Re: Playdate pre-orders begin in July
#30I think the design and concept are really cool but it seems like actually owning it would get old too fast and be more of a novelty. I could see myself buying this if it could emulate NES or GameBoy games though.
You want the Analog Pocket: https://www.analogue.co/pocket , but its preorders instantly sold out, and its first shipment has been delayed until end of year. Or one of the cheaper Chinese devices like the Retroid Pocket or RG531p
As far as I know, everything they make sells out instantly, you'd think they could start doing bigger production runs. I realize scarcity can drive up demand, but everything in their store being out of stock is little much.