It's a computer device with a license to use the ZX Spectrum trademark. That makes it a ZX Spectrum in my book, in the same was as the ZX Spectrum +2 is an official Spectrum.
It's as close to being a new Spectrum as you're going to get because Sky have no interest in the market (unsurprisingly).
In the existing exUSSR classification, Vega ZX Spectrum refers to a software emulator of ZX Spectrum. It is therefore quite natural that Vega ZX Spectrum has no relation to the architecture of the ZX Spectrum.
I can see the value of a Speccy-like device for casual players, that you could just plug into a modern TV and immediately start playing Speccy games. However I'm afraid buyers may be disappointed when they find out that many Speccy games cannot be properly played in this device. Too many action games for the Speccy require a high degree of precision in directional movement that may not be achieved using a single thumb, and too many non-action games for the Speccy require more than 8 keys. If they simply added a USB port to this device, so you could just plugin any generic PC keyboard you already have at home, it would solve all problems. If any specific game is not comfortable enough to play using the configured joypad, players can simply plug their own keyboards instead.
This is exactly what I have been writing all along (in fact I have just reused exactly the same words). And it summarizes most posts here. Is it negative criticism when people argue there's a problem, then propose an easy viable solution to it?
I can see the value of a Speccy-like device for casual players, that you could just plug into a modern TV and immediately start playing Speccy games. However I'm afraid buyers may be disappointed when they find out that many Speccy games cannot be properly played in this device. Too many action games for the Speccy require a high degree of precision in directional movement that may not be achieved using a single thumb, and too many non-action games for the Speccy require more than 8 keys. If they simply added a USB port to this device, so you could just plugin any generic PC keyboard you already have at home, it would solve all problems. If any specific game is not comfortable enough to play using the configured joypad, players can simply plug their own keyboards instead.
This is exactly what I have been writing all along (in fact I have just reused exactly the same words). And it summarizes most posts here. Is it negative criticism when people argue there's a problem, then propose an easy viable solution to it?
Exactly!!! If anyone knows what is required to make a Spectrum console viable and work then it's WoS members.
But it's not for 100GBP. That is just an Indiegogo backing level. I'm not sure why so many people misunderstand the difference between a crowdfunding backers level and the final price for a product which is unlikely to be 100GBP. If you don't want to be a backer and get the initial limited edition console then wait for the final product then wait until it's available for general sale. I'm willing to bet that the final general availability version will be under 30 quid.
Thanks for clearing that up! I'm not very up to speed on the crowdfunding model, as you can see, although I did back Hewson's book on kickstarter (the only time I've ever backed anything).
If, as you say, Vega would be under 50GBP (I'm sorry if I seem to be focussing on the price instead of the product, but it does matter to *me*), I wouldn't mind getting my paws on one!
Some additions have been made to the Spectrum Vega Indiegogo FAQ:
"FAQ
Q - Can you explain the TV output/connections please?
A - Composite video, stereo audio, USB for power.
Q - Can I connect a keyboard?
A - We're reviewing our expansion options.
Q - Is a Bluetooth input/output included?
A - No, this is a straight-to-TV game console."
Vega ZX Spectrum is the same as the AVR ZX Spectrum, only a few times more expensive without a keyboard and burdened useless for a user by the name of sir Clive.
While I like the idea of this, the game side of it is causing me concerns. Do people here think it's fair that the developers who created the games aren't receiving monetary payment? I can't see how this is any different from the last project, the developers games are still being used to sell a system and they're getting nothing for it.
It isn't fair. It's also poor form to take the developers (and their work) for granted by announcing the inclusion of 1000 (why?) games before securing permission.
We should value these games a bit higher than zero. I'm all for old games being distributed freely (like on this very site) but when someone is making money it's a very different matter.
Vega ZX Spectrum is the same as the AVR ZX Spectrum, only a few times more expensive without a keyboard and burdened useless for a user by the name of sir Clive.
When I Google "AVR ZX Spectrum", all I can find is a bare circuit board. That's no good for the mass market of people who just want to play old Spectrum games.
As has been repeated several times here, nobody is sure of the final selling price of the Vega yet. What's almost certain is that it will be much less than ?100.
The thing is that if anybody said "Were going to build a new 2014 Spectrum, what shall we include / omit" then I would be surprised if two people would agree with the final spec let alone a majority on here.
The bottom line is that a small group of people have decided, for no doubt very good reasons, that they will try and produce a particular device with the Sinclair name attached to it. That's whats on offer, take it or leave it.
If Sinclair Research produced a 2014 device I am in no doubt this same conversation would be happening as somebody's pet love / hate has been omitted / included. If your actually going to make a project like this reality as opposed to just talk about it you have to make decisions which inevitably will upset some people.
It isn't fair. It's also poor form to take the developers (and their work) for granted by announcing the inclusion of 1000 (why?) games before securing permission.
We should value these games a bit higher than zero. I'm all for old games being distributed freely (like on this very site) but when someone is making money it's a very different matter.
It certainly wouldn't be fair to take games without permission being granted, but I don't think anyone's said they'd do that. Rather, it'll come down to who doesn't mind their games being included in exchange for a charitable donation, and I'm pretty sure they could muster a thousand that way without too much trouble. They can have the five of mine on WoS for starters.
That said, I'm pretty sure that anyone with marketable games will be holding out for some proper royalties out of this and they'd be entirely right to do so. As such, unless they completely change tack, this thing is going to go out without most of the Spectrum's signature games, and that'd have to go down as a missed opportunity, especially in light of the Elite Systems unpleasantness.
All in all, I'd favour it including fifty of the best - with the ability to download the remainder of the games from WOS and stick them on an SD card - rather than the other way around.
... and they can do so. All they have to do is to come up with around 1000 games! I can't see that being particularly difficult to be honest.
At this stage in the proceedings the Vega is on the drawing board. Like many products it will have a development period - which in this case will involve the negotiations necessary to secure the rights.
The developers then have a number of options:
1. Get their software on the Vega, and be part of a combined royalty payment to GOSH.
2. Try to market their software as an expansion for the Vega and make money for themselves from it that way - which probably wouldn't be possible without the Vega, because the market wouldn't be there.
3. Walk away, and be no better or worse off than they are now.
... and they can do so. All they have to do is to come up with around 1000 games! I can't see that being particularly difficult to be honest.
It sounds like an enormous task to me. Even tracking down the IP owners will be hard enough.
I think it's a mistake to make promises before securing permission. They might be assuming it'll be easy (and maybe it is) but they're still making a promise based on an assumption.
I'll be surprised if they manage to licence 1000 games. Particularly as they aren't paying for them.
I can't believe how anyone can put themselves in this situation after the situation with Elite's failure, but one would think they have a plan. :confused:
Q - Can you explain the TV output/connections please?
A - Composite video, stereo audio, USB for power.
Making a handheld that needs 3 cable connections is a bad idea.
I'm glad this project is a thing, I may even pick one up when it releases but even just including solder points exposing the SoC's (more than likely) internal USB controller would make this thing much, much more appealing.
If they ever intend going beyond the initial 2000 units and start selling this as a mass market device then there are certain key games that will be expected, by your average purchaser, to be on there. e.g. Jet Set Willy, the Rare titles. (Just look at the reviews of iOS Speccy emulators to see what titles the general public would expect to be on there)
The game rights for a donation to "charidee" is an attempt to sidestep the major difficulties of appropriately (and legally) licensing games this old. Promising a thousand games is just silly when they plan to give people the ability to add their own titles easily.
They would've been better looking at licensing a smaller number of key titles, in a proper manner, and indeed may look at doing so if they want to hit the same sort of market that the Commodore 64 Joystick device was targeted.
I don't think the charity donation has any legal bearing. It's just a very handy way of emotionally blackmailing the IP owners into granting permission.
I've given this site permission to distribute my work but I think I'd like to update that to expressly forbid any commercial exploitation of the games. Although I'm not sure if I own any rights in them I can at least make it clear that I object to them being sold for profit.
I'm very impressed with the ethical manner world of spectrum goes about this stuff.
I thought the same. 1 combined AV cable is acceptable, but you don't want a power cable trailing off too.
I'd hope that it has a built-in battery that is charged through USB.
At ?100 a unit a small li-ion battery should be entirely feasible, but I'd imagine the retail price for this thing will be a lot closer to the ?30 mark than it is to the ?100 backer asking, like the rest of the handheld clone systems out there (Like the awesome C64 DTV).
Personally, I think it'd be a better idea to just use 4xAA batteries to keep the cost of production down and save the hassle of having a USB power cable running off from the device. A mod for running it off other power sources would appear quickly anyway for people that are interested in turning it into something it's clearly not really designed to be (like a full keyboard enabled speccy) if it winds up being an option.
Comments
In the existing exUSSR classification, Vega ZX Spectrum refers to a software emulator of ZX Spectrum. It is therefore quite natural that Vega ZX Spectrum has no relation to the architecture of the ZX Spectrum.
This is exactly what I have been writing all along (in fact I have just reused exactly the same words). And it summarizes most posts here. Is it negative criticism when people argue there's a problem, then propose an easy viable solution to it?
"FAQ
Q - Can you explain the TV output/connections please?
A - Composite video, stereo audio, USB for power.
Q - Can I connect a keyboard?
A - We're reviewing our expansion options.
Q - Is a Bluetooth input/output included?
A - No, this is a straight-to-TV game console."
Thanks for clearing that up! I'm not very up to speed on the crowdfunding model, as you can see, although I did back Hewson's book on kickstarter (the only time I've ever backed anything).
If, as you say, Vega would be under 50GBP (I'm sorry if I seem to be focussing on the price instead of the product, but it does matter to *me*), I wouldn't mind getting my paws on one!
Bytes:Chuntey - Spectrum tech blog.
Excellent!
Of course a PS/2 (Mini-DIN) keyboard port would also work just fine.
Vega ZX Spectrum is the same as the AVR ZX Spectrum, only a few times more expensive without a keyboard and burdened useless for a user by the name of sir Clive.
We should value these games a bit higher than zero. I'm all for old games being distributed freely (like on this very site) but when someone is making money it's a very different matter.
When I Google "AVR ZX Spectrum", all I can find is a bare circuit board. That's no good for the mass market of people who just want to play old Spectrum games.
As has been repeated several times here, nobody is sure of the final selling price of the Vega yet. What's almost certain is that it will be much less than ?100.
Maybe the rights to the games have already been secured. We don't know.
The video shows certain games, but only says the Vega is capable of playing them - not that they are included.
Then from the Indie Gogo site
If you own the rights to a particular game, then you don't have to agree - simples.
The bottom line is that a small group of people have decided, for no doubt very good reasons, that they will try and produce a particular device with the Sinclair name attached to it. That's whats on offer, take it or leave it.
If Sinclair Research produced a 2014 device I am in no doubt this same conversation would be happening as somebody's pet love / hate has been omitted / included. If your actually going to make a project like this reality as opposed to just talk about it you have to make decisions which inevitably will upset some people.
It certainly wouldn't be fair to take games without permission being granted, but I don't think anyone's said they'd do that. Rather, it'll come down to who doesn't mind their games being included in exchange for a charitable donation, and I'm pretty sure they could muster a thousand that way without too much trouble. They can have the five of mine on WoS for starters.
That said, I'm pretty sure that anyone with marketable games will be holding out for some proper royalties out of this and they'd be entirely right to do so. As such, unless they completely change tack, this thing is going to go out without most of the Spectrum's signature games, and that'd have to go down as a missed opportunity, especially in light of the Elite Systems unpleasantness.
All in all, I'd favour it including fifty of the best - with the ability to download the remainder of the games from WOS and stick them on an SD card - rather than the other way around.
... and they can do so. All they have to do is to come up with around 1000 games! I can't see that being particularly difficult to be honest.
At this stage in the proceedings the Vega is on the drawing board. Like many products it will have a development period - which in this case will involve the negotiations necessary to secure the rights.
The developers then have a number of options:
1. Get their software on the Vega, and be part of a combined royalty payment to GOSH.
2. Try to market their software as an expansion for the Vega and make money for themselves from it that way - which probably wouldn't be possible without the Vega, because the market wouldn't be there.
3. Walk away, and be no better or worse off than they are now.
It sounds like an enormous task to me. Even tracking down the IP owners will be hard enough.
I think it's a mistake to make promises before securing permission. They might be assuming it'll be easy (and maybe it is) but they're still making a promise based on an assumption.
I'll be surprised if they manage to licence 1000 games. Particularly as they aren't paying for them.
My games for the Spectrum: Dingo, The Speccies, The Speccies 2, Vallation, SQIJ.
Twitter: Sokurah
Making a handheld that needs 3 cable connections is a bad idea.
I'm glad this project is a thing, I may even pick one up when it releases but even just including solder points exposing the SoC's (more than likely) internal USB controller would make this thing much, much more appealing.
The game rights for a donation to "charidee" is an attempt to sidestep the major difficulties of appropriately (and legally) licensing games this old. Promising a thousand games is just silly when they plan to give people the ability to add their own titles easily.
They would've been better looking at licensing a smaller number of key titles, in a proper manner, and indeed may look at doing so if they want to hit the same sort of market that the Commodore 64 Joystick device was targeted.
I thought the same. 1 combined AV cable is acceptable, but you don't want a power cable trailing off too.
I'd hope that it has a built-in battery that is charged through USB.
I've given this site permission to distribute my work but I think I'd like to update that to expressly forbid any commercial exploitation of the games. Although I'm not sure if I own any rights in them I can at least make it clear that I object to them being sold for profit.
I'm very impressed with the ethical manner world of spectrum goes about this stuff.
- IONIAN-GAMES.com -
My games for the Spectrum: Dingo, The Speccies, The Speccies 2, Vallation, SQIJ.
Twitter: Sokurah
At ?100 a unit a small li-ion battery should be entirely feasible, but I'd imagine the retail price for this thing will be a lot closer to the ?30 mark than it is to the ?100 backer asking, like the rest of the handheld clone systems out there (Like the awesome C64 DTV).
Personally, I think it'd be a better idea to just use 4xAA batteries to keep the cost of production down and save the hassle of having a USB power cable running off from the device. A mod for running it off other power sources would appear quickly anyway for people that are interested in turning it into something it's clearly not really designed to be (like a full keyboard enabled speccy) if it winds up being an option.