The Ataribox, a games console based on the Atari machines of old, gets renamed as the "Atari VCS" at the Game Developer Conference 2018, together with the reveal of joystick and controller prototypes.
Described as an "all-new video computer system inspired by more than 40 years of history," the Atari VCS was first announced back at E3 2017. The device was originally set for launch on December 2017 via the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform, but the campaign was canceled following unspecified development delays.
The VCS retains the same design from the previously revealed Ataribox, one clearly inspired by the original Atari 2600 Video Computer System. The Classic Joystick shares the same retro look, while gamers wanting a more modern input device get a Modern Controller options. Atari is still to detail the software side of things, but insists it will "serve up lots of classic content" while being a "connected device designed for today's living room."
“Every person at Atari and every partner involved with the new platform is just as fanatical about the brand and its heritage as our biggest fans are,” the company adds. “With the Atari VCS name, we know how important it is to get everything completely right and that’s why we briefly paused an imminent launch late last year. It was a difficult decision with the countdown underway, but we weren’t willing to go forward with even one thing out of alignment. We hope that Atari’s fans appreciate our extreme attention to detail and are as excited about the Atari VCS as we are.”
Atari is still to announce when the VCS hits the market.
