create your own game console
hey does anyone knows how you can make your own game console (ex: gamecube)? i would like to see what is needed for creating such things.
Well first your gonna need some hardware -- heres a link to some mini motherboards
Mini-tx.com
#1) get all your hardware
#2) load your OS
#3) create some sort of front end
and the rest -- i dunno .. never made a console but I'm sure it wouldnt be too hard .. then again I'd wait for xbox 360 or play station III. Probably cheaper :)
Mini-tx.com
#1) get all your hardware
#2) load your OS
#3) create some sort of front end
and the rest -- i dunno .. never made a console but I'm sure it wouldnt be too hard .. then again I'd wait for xbox 360 or play station III. Probably cheaper :)
Well, you could learn all about hardware architecture and design, and purchase parts to create your own console I suppose, but if you're after a learning experience then you may want to look into getting yourself an XGameStation.
Otherwise you could do something more akin to a PC in fancy packaging, where you build a small PC from scratch in a custom case that could pass for your own console.
You probably can't actually build a particularly great console capable of selling, but if you're only after a bit of a learning experience then the XGameStation may suit your needs.
Quote:from XGameStation FAQ:
First of all, the XGS is not primarily about game development-- it's about learning how to build game hardware. Second, no other system on earth comes with a complete eBook explaining to a hardware novice how it was built from scratch in clear, practical detail. If all you want to do is develop games, then buy whatever system you want. But if you really want to learn how to build your own video game system, the XGS is the only way to go.
Otherwise you could do something more akin to a PC in fancy packaging, where you build a small PC from scratch in a custom case that could pass for your own console.
You probably can't actually build a particularly great console capable of selling, but if you're only after a bit of a learning experience then the XGameStation may suit your needs.
Not really possible, It would take years of experiance in computer engineering. Not to splatter your dreams, this topic is out of the question. Basically your kinda asking how do I build my own car, from top to bottom. It takes massive amounts of research and a large team to produce such a project. Alone for the PS3 there were over I beileive ( possibly more ) 5 companies working on 1 processor ( the cell processor ) so building your own wouold be very difficult not even to mention the deveolpment for it? If you want to learn how to eventually build your own, I would most likely suggest computer engineering or a major of that sort if you are or plan on going to college.
After reading there post, Iguess you could build your OWN pc that runs certain games but even that... I don't know..
After reading there post, Iguess you could build your OWN pc that runs certain games but even that... I don't know..
No it probably wouldn't be too bad. A mini mobo and a cut down version of linux would probably get you there. The most difficult part would be coming up a standard input method and developing the front-end and games that conform to the console specifications.
It isn't that difficult to build an 8-bit computer with some old junk or out of a Microcontroller, if you know something of electronics and programming. Some people have made very basic consoles out of PIC, SX and Atmel MCU's, which can be found by typing "PIC Tetris" into google. The XGame Station is basically a commercialised version of these ideas. Ripping up old printer switches usually reveals a few Z80 processors, which I would reccomend as a starting point if you really want to build your own. You can still buy them new too. If you get two you can use one to drive a VGA montior or TV through the SCART sockect easily enough, so you effectively have a processor and GPU. But I would reccomend you knew a good deal about both digital and analouge electronics first, you don't need an EE degree but a basic course would help. And ignore those post above about this is really hard and give up now, it is a challenge but you will learn a lot. You can build your own console, but don't expect it to be a commerically viable unit. Heres some stuff to get you started:
PIC Tetris among other things - great site
Good site abot building home made computers
Google search
6502 processors are probably easier to learn to machine code than Z80, but you can clock a Z80 with a switch so it is easier to experiment with.
PIC Tetris among other things - great site
Good site abot building home made computers
Google search
6502 processors are probably easier to learn to machine code than Z80, but you can clock a Z80 with a switch so it is easier to experiment with.
Quote:Original post by _jinx_
Not really possible, It would take years of experiance in computer engineering. Not to splatter your dreams, this topic is out of the question. Basically your kinda asking how do I build my own car, from top to bottom. It takes massive amounts of research and a large team to produce such a project. Alone for the PS3 there were over I beileive ( possibly more ) 5 companies working on 1 processor ( the cell processor ) so building your own wouold be very difficult not even to mention the deveolpment for it? If you want to learn how to eventually build your own, I would most likely suggest computer engineering or a major of that sort if you are or plan on going to college.
After reading there post, Iguess you could build your OWN pc that runs certain games but even that... I don't know..
Your joking right ? IBM built the CPU in the xbox 360 - ATI built the video card ... so whats the problem ? I don't think the OP is talking about mass producing a console system .. The business side of mass production is a whole other ball game. I took electronics engineering - and network administration, and it is not needed to build a small console type system. People have been building mini computer systems on their own for a long time. 2 years ago a friend of mine built a media center that was the size of a xbox. Anyway its not impossible, what is impossible is thinking you can build it cheap enough to match the price of console manufacturers. Even Microsoft had to take a loss in selling their xbox hardware so cheap.
Your right, me and my buddy built a Linux Theater Box. I wouldn't necessarily say it was a console but, the over all it had parts from all over the place and worked great. He mentioned GameCube, I am not saying he wants to build a GC but the production and knowledge it takes to build one is some serious team work. It all depends his expectations, and saying that building a Console is easy it speaking very lightly of it. ( I have never built one by the way ) but the skill of knowing linux alone would obvioulsy take some skill in many differnt areas, then to develop games for it would take more. I guess it really depends on the devotion made and skill set he has.
Quote:Original post by _jinx_
Your right, me and my buddy built a Linux Theater Box. I wouldn't necessarily say it was a console but, the over all it had parts from all over the place and worked great. He mentioned GameCube, I am not saying he wants to build a GC but the production and knowledge it takes to build one is some serious team work. It all depends his expectations, and saying that building a Console is easy it speaking very lightly of it. ( I have never built one by the way ) but the skill of knowing linux alone would obvioulsy take some skill in many differnt areas, then to develop games for it would take more. I guess it really depends on the devotion made and skill set he has.
Definately true -- I don't know much about linux myself, it would be a learning curve(although I have worked with unix back in 1993), and obviously you would wan't to go with a free OS. I remember a while back an article about nividia was looking into coming out with a console system using Linux. This would be something to look forward to.
I heard that article and if they did it would be sweet, cause we would know they would have some kick ass graphics right! Yea, it's something I wouln't mind diving into myself and something I could be realllly proud of when completed. However, it would take soem time, research and some money depending on the expectations. Sounds kool thought, good luck to the poster on this one!!
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