Ataribox Specs, Price, Release Date News: Console To Give Full PC Experience For TV
Atari has revealed new details on its first console release after two decades, the Ataribox. These include pricing information, a release window, and its upcoming crowdfunding campaign.
The console is slated to be released in late Spring 2018 and will go for around $250 to $300, the company revealed in a newsletter. According to Atari, the Linux-based console will bring the full PC experience to TV such as streaming, applications, social, browsing, music, and more.
"Most connected TV devices have closed systems and content stores," general manager Feargal Mac said in a statement. "Ataribox is an open system, and while our user interface will be easy to use, people will also be free to access and customize the underlying OS."
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The console will run on an AMD processor with an integrated Radeon GPU and a custom Linux interface. The initial console revealed that the console's retro-styled body will be encased in "real wood." It will also come with tons of preloaded classic video games while at the same time able to play current titles from various game studios.
The Ataribox does have a few quirks that modern game consoles wouldn't even think of doing. First off, it will not follow the standard development process by being made available on the crowdfunding platform IndieGoGo. The campaign is set to begin before the end of this fall and will ship the consoles on 2018.
According to Mac, Atari's decision to take this path was mainly due to the platform's presence in over 200 countries. He added selling the new console on Indiegogo makes it possible to involve as many Atari fans around the world.
It's certainly too early to say if the Ataribox will regain the former glory of the Atari that kicked off the gaming revolution 40 years ago. Nevertheless, it's a big step for the brand struggling that is still trying to find its place in today's gaming industry dominated by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony.
