More details about Atari's first new console in years have emerged. New photos of an actual Ataribox console (not renders, and yes it has a real wood veneer) were shared via Facebook, and details of what is inside the machine were shared in an interview with VentureBeat today.
To cut to the chase, the Ataribox will be powered by a custom AMD processor with Radeon graphics. The Ataribox designer and general manager, Feargal Mac Conuladh, said that the console will be capable of playing the kind of games that a mid-range PC can handle today, and will cope with independent games such as Minecraft or Terraria with ease. To get you started the machine will come with "a large back catalogue of the publisher's classic games," says VentureBeat.
Atari is using Linux as the OS with a new interface being designed to make it easy to access on TVs - using typical joypad controllers I expect. Importantly, Atari will make sure users will have free access to the underlying OS to customise, as they wish. The OS isn't just being leveraged for gaming / emulation. Atari envisions "a killer TV product where people can game, stream and browse with as much freedom as possible," Mac Conuladh told VB. That includes accessing third party games store like Steam.
Atari are going to crowdfund the Ataribox project later this autumn. Pricing will be in the $250 to $300 region, however I'm not sure if that figure represents IndieGogo promo pricing or final retail pricing. Project designer Mac Conuladh stressed that "In some ways, you are buying some freedom," as Ataribox owners will acquire an open system that won't necessarily require any more money spent upon it / on software.
