[Openmortal-discuss] open source game console project?

[Haroon K. <ha...@bo...>]

Hello! I posted this subject on the gentoo linux forums, but I thought you would have some good advice on this idea.

http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-p-4185838.html#4185838

I will paste it here as well
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I will try to make this straight to the point. 
  
 I love video games, I am also interested in developing games. I really think its fucked up how Sony, MS, Nintendo want to control everyone out there that wants to make a game for the system. " No you cant make that game on our console! You need to pay us a gazillion dollars for a license to make a game for our system! OMG you modded your system or did someone we dont like, Im calling our lawyers! WE are making billions of dollars but we still want to fight every dude out there that is doing the smallest thing that pisses us off blah blah blah" 
  
 IM FED UP, I cant stand that shit anymore. Maybe it was exaggerated but you get how I feel. 
  
With that said, I want to start an open source game console. Basically get a I guess... a small via/mini itx board and make a case and put it all together, put linux or BSD on it. 
  
 People will be able to develop games for it w/o any crazy MS/Nintendo style license. We could also develop an online network where people can upload there games and you can download the games straight to your console. 
  
 I really think this could be pulled off and that many hobby people would like this idea. I really dont plan on doing this for money. More for fun/knowledge and maybe later down on the road for money. But MAKING MONEY is not the GOAL. 
  
 The goal is to have a nice looking system, nice case, and a network where the system can connect and download games and all those goodies. 
  
*** The system in the start will be more for I guess playstation style level and below. Nothing pass PS1 games. I am not trying to build a system that will play the craziest 3D games out there. The focus/aim is a basic console , genesis/snes/nes/ps1 style games. Later on in the future if this goes well then we can go on the higher end, but I would like to start simple. 
  
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 Some things that I am pondering right now.... 
  
 1. The hardware shouldnt be a problem. There are tons of small boards out there where it would be the right size for a set top box or a case just like a ps2 or something. VIA makes a lot of these small boards and I know of some "mini-itx" stuff 
  
2. The software shouldnt be a problem since Linux/BSD is out there and its already be established that you can make games for Linux easily. The tools and books are available as well. SDL, Allegro and more is out there to handle multimedia projects. 
  
 3. Check out http://www.mini-itx.com/ for ideas of small boards and cases people made. 
  
4. People would be able to make games in so many languages, ruby, python, C whatever you like! Since its going to be open and running linux, you have so many choices and YOU ARE NOT RESTRICTED. 
  
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Keep in mind these are thoughts and some small research that I have done. But I would really like it if other other people out there in the community would take a look at this idea. IF you feel its cool and you can contribute something, post up here or PM. 
  
 I love games, but I dont like controlling assholes who ARE ALL ABOUT MONEY.  
  
And please remember, I am not doing this for money, its for fun and learning how to make games and not having some asshole telling you, pay me and I let you make game for us blah blah





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