I would also like to add that I am not a fan of them sharing the cancelation news only on Discord, when the original announcement of the free update was shared on their X account, and picked up by some gaming websites. That means there could easily be some VCS owners still waiting for the free update, unaware of what they posted on Discord.
This is the life-long love/hate relationship I have had with Atari. Boy meets console, boy falls in love with the console, the console starves to death because Atari stops supporting it. Lather Rinse Repeat. RIP Jag, Lynx and VCS.
How was Digital Eclipse able to develop the original Atari 50th for the VCS, but not able to develop the DLC? Sounds like a contract problem, not a tools problem.
In a matter of one month: My Atari Sauce order, which I paid $40 shipping for had no padding for the glass containers inside, so I ended up with a bunch of sauce everywhere and broken glass. I never heard from customer service. My Atari store credit, of $40, doesn't work and/or was stolen. No response from customer service. Now Atari 50, which I had made a spreadsheet to keep track of me playing the games, is cancelled..
I understand. Its almost like they put their own supporters last..which is really weird. I wont be surprised if Atari goes belly up again for bad management.
- Release a console - Make a game collection containing games which the aforementioned console is the only one with a proper controller to play it (the classic controller has a spinner) - Create a DLC for that collection and release it on every platform except the aforementioned console Genius!
This is what happens when you buy products from startup companies. You are really just hoping they can sustain and update their products, but most of the time once the hype dies down and the money stops, these companies can't keep up.
Basically, it boils down to "it's not worth our time to bring this to the VCS". It's honestly been a miracle they haven't pulled the plug on the whole VCS platform. Which will stink when they do.
I Must respectfully call *BALDERCRAP* to the statement "The Atari VCS is not made for DLC" . ANY computer with an OS is.. It's called *Instancing.* The non DLC version would bean instanced version of that software limited to the original games on the original release, the DLC? a different software revision instanced to the original content and the added software.
There is still time for them to reverse this decision, and they better do it fast if they don't want a significant portion of the hardcore Atari community to become disgruntled with them.
To me, the inclusion of GOG is telling. GOG "platforming" should be no different than Steam, other than requiring that the software be DRM free. My guess is that there is some sort of licensing issue or contractual obligation to require DRM. Yet, I think Atari wholly owns all the properties and the developers Digital Eclipse? So what could be the problem? Perhaps Atari wants to protect their newly acquired Intellivision IP? But DRM on 40 year old games doesn't make sense. That said, Steam doesn't list any DRM or 3rd party license agreements for this DLC, so maybe there was a non-compete agreement with Amico that prevented it? Anyway, I don't own a VCS, but thanks for covering this!
The Atari 50 DLC "cannot be efficiently re-platformed". Translation: it would require too much work to port it to the VCS so we won't bother. I understand that the current CEO inherited the VCS from his predecessor, but promising it would be free and then reneging on the promise is just bad form. Plus, I have a feeling that, even if the VCS 2017 didn't sell that well, it's first and foremost the Atari diehard fans who bought it.
If anyone says "We're bringing back a system from the 80s and it's based on Linux/Android/Huckleberry Pie, and will run all the latest stuff... yeeaaahh! Run. I was burned by the Commodore 64x and the discontinued Linux OS Vision over 10 years ago and learned my lesson.
Im one of the original backers and yes im very disappointed. But, not super surprised because with the lack of support recently like putting games on other consoles, but not their own console it was kind of expected. Im really considering not buying anything off them again. Im tired of being put last just because im a vcs owner and supporter.
Man I want to LOVE new Atari but this kind of stupid stuff they keep doing. It is fine if you dont release the Atari 50 DLC for free but my god, why announce that you are then don't even try. Stupid, just stupid moves they make all the time. Run a bunch of specials and market during Christmas and misship everything and keep marketing hard while you cannot even ship what you sold. Selling a bunch of Atari XP games and they are all messed up. Release the VCS broken in the box. One thing after another with them.
As much as I am hopeful for the “new” Atari; their decisions and customer service make me very leery. I buy my gear from Video 61, Champ Games and Amazon (non-pre orders).
We live in an age where a console’s life cycle in terms of first party support is approaching 10+ years as a standard practice. Atari slowing support down’s an embarrassment. Their console not supporting dlc’s even moreso. On the plus side, given this whole thing, best to assume to Gamestation Go series won’t have any of the Recharged games and will just be the Atari roms. Their actions set the expectation here.
I would’ve bought a VCS but everything I read and videos that I watched stated you have to hook it up to a windows computer to get it running. Unfortunately I do not have access to a computer.
You don't need a computer, at least not in my experience, but you do need a wi-fi connection. I made a video of my experience setting up my system. ua-cam.com/video/z57yDFG5cEg/v-deo.html
Naw they updated the error on setup. It works straight out of the box. Got mine about a month ago and am using it right now to comment this actually lol.
@@thenosweargamer1449 I got mine around Black Friday and I had to download an update and flash it to a USB drive, then put that in there to let it update. If they fixed that issue then that's a good thing. I wound up using mine as a Batocera/emulation device, and it's actually extremely capable in that regard.
The VCS is a fantastic streaming box. Atari should leverage their investment in antstream and provide a VCS streaming service dedicated to Atari releases. They only need to support the unique controller schemes including the classic controller with integrated paddle. But I think it's a huge mistake to abandon the platform with so much untapped potential, including future iterations of the hardware. The reality is any x86-based PC can be the VCSII. There are hundreds of PC manufacturers that Atari could partner with. Small form factor PCs and components are plentiful. And the platform doesn't have to be limited to a single product. Atari could offer an entire line of VCS products all the way up to full ATX style gaming boxes. Atari only needs to focus on case design, unique controllers with paddle support, OS development, and the Atari store content. No other platform Atari has released has any such potential.
The Atari VCS was Feargal Mac's and Fred Chesnais' baby. Ward Rosen inherited it. I suspect Ward would like to move on from it and do his own thing. He is trying his best to support it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the VCS is hemorrhaging money.
I switched from Atari to PC mode and have started using steam. The other atari items dont interest me. Too big of an investment since i dont have carts laying around.
I would also like to add that I am not a fan of them sharing the cancelation news only on Discord, when the original announcement of the free update was shared on their X account, and picked up by some gaming websites. That means there could easily be some VCS owners still waiting for the free update, unaware of what they posted on Discord.
This is the life-long love/hate relationship I have had with Atari. Boy meets console, boy falls in love with the console, the console starves to death because Atari stops supporting it. Lather Rinse Repeat. RIP Jag, Lynx and VCS.
Great commentary, NSG! This whole incident is unacceptable.
How was Digital Eclipse able to develop the original Atari 50th for the VCS, but not able to develop the DLC? Sounds like a contract problem, not a tools problem.
They already added DLC once to the VCS Atari 50.
@@spahr001 - When did that happen?
That was one of my arguments.
@ It happened a year ago. Games like Warbirds, MotoRodeo, and Aquaventure were added.
Gee, that sort of news is enough to make a No Swear Gamer Swear!
In a matter of one month:
My Atari Sauce order, which I paid $40 shipping for had no padding for the glass containers inside, so I ended up with a bunch of sauce everywhere and broken glass. I never heard from customer service.
My Atari store credit, of $40, doesn't work and/or was stolen. No response from customer service.
Now Atari 50, which I had made a spreadsheet to keep track of me playing the games, is cancelled..
Roasty Buds, on the other hand, has been A+; Their coffee, games, and service.
I understand. Its almost like they put their own supporters last..which is really weird. I wont be surprised if Atari goes belly up again for bad management.
Atari sauce?
@SoulforSale Atari Sauce is a thing. Do a web search and it'll pop up.
I suggested Atari give out free codes of Atari 50 Extended Edition on another platform of choice to those who purchased it.
I love my VCS and the Atari 50 collection. I am very disappointed with this decision.
It looks like when Atari bought Intellivision from the last owners, they also bought their lack of integrity.
Atari VCS owners are like second class citizens, even owners of the Nintendo Switch owners are treated better than Atari VCS owners.
- Release a console
- Make a game collection containing games which the aforementioned console is the only one with a proper controller to play it (the classic controller has a spinner)
- Create a DLC for that collection and release it on every platform except the aforementioned console
Genius!
Yea intentionally I did not buy the 50th collection on any other console because I thought I would support the system . What a dumb idea....
Yea forbid they support their own console. 😄
I was the first person to give the bird on Discord- I'm glad to see 5 other people joined in....
This is what happens when you buy products from startup companies. You are really just hoping they can sustain and update their products, but most of the time once the hype dies down and the money stops, these companies can't keep up.
The Nintendo Switch 2 looks good. I can't deal with Atari anymore unless all their best games are on the Switch instead of their own console 😂
Yeah Atari had a good run after Wade Rosen took over but 2025 is feeling like Regression Time
It hasn't been a good start
Basically, it boils down to "it's not worth our time to bring this to the VCS".
It's honestly been a miracle they haven't pulled the plug on the whole VCS platform. Which will stink when they do.
I Must respectfully call *BALDERCRAP* to the statement "The Atari VCS is not made for DLC" .
ANY computer with an OS is.. It's called *Instancing.*
The non DLC version would bean instanced version of that software limited to the original games on the original release, the DLC? a different software revision instanced to the original content and the added software.
They already added DLC once for Atari 50 on the vcs. So that kinda made their excuse a mute point.
Theres no excuse for gog to be excluded too
There is still time for them to reverse this decision, and they better do it fast if they don't want a significant portion of the hardcore Atari community to become disgruntled with them.
To me, the inclusion of GOG is telling. GOG "platforming" should be no different than Steam, other than requiring that the software be DRM free. My guess is that there is some sort of licensing issue or contractual obligation to require DRM. Yet, I think Atari wholly owns all the properties and the developers Digital Eclipse? So what could be the problem? Perhaps Atari wants to protect their newly acquired Intellivision IP? But DRM on 40 year old games doesn't make sense.
That said, Steam doesn't list any DRM or 3rd party license agreements for this DLC, so maybe there was a non-compete agreement with Amico that prevented it? Anyway, I don't own a VCS, but thanks for covering this!
Oh, I don't buy new games on GOG because of this exact scenario.
atari lied and fucked up bad. left a bad taste in my mouth
thanks for the warning, i was thinking of buying one
I'm definitely let down and disappointed
The Atari 50 DLC "cannot be efficiently re-platformed". Translation: it would require too much work to port it to the VCS so we won't bother. I understand that the current CEO inherited the VCS from his predecessor, but promising it would be free and then reneging on the promise is just bad form. Plus, I have a feeling that, even if the VCS 2017 didn't sell that well, it's first and foremost the Atari diehard fans who bought it.
There's an entire forum thread on GOG, dedicated to games that treat GOG customers like second class citizens, and this just got added.
Had they released it a much cheaper price ( considering the low specs) it would have sold more and we might be talking very differently 😢
If anyone says "We're bringing back a system from the 80s and it's based on Linux/Android/Huckleberry Pie, and will run all the latest stuff... yeeaaahh! Run. I was burned by the Commodore 64x and the discontinued Linux OS Vision over 10 years ago and learned my lesson.
Im one of the original backers and yes im very disappointed. But, not super surprised because with the lack of support recently like putting games on other consoles, but not their own console it was kind of expected. Im really considering not buying anything off them again. Im tired of being put last just because im a vcs owner and supporter.
Not a good image for Atari 😢
Most of those added games are already on Atari Vault 2 anyways
Man I want to LOVE new Atari but this kind of stupid stuff they keep doing. It is fine if you dont release the Atari 50 DLC for free but my god, why announce that you are then don't even try. Stupid, just stupid moves they make all the time. Run a bunch of specials and market during Christmas and misship everything and keep marketing hard while you cannot even ship what you sold. Selling a bunch of Atari XP games and they are all messed up. Release the VCS broken in the box. One thing after another with them.
As much as I am hopeful for the “new” Atari; their decisions and customer service make me very leery. I buy my gear from Video 61, Champ Games and Amazon (non-pre orders).
We live in an age where a console’s life cycle in terms of first party support is approaching 10+ years as a standard practice. Atari slowing support down’s an embarrassment. Their console not supporting dlc’s even moreso.
On the plus side, given this whole thing, best to assume to Gamestation Go series won’t have any of the Recharged games and will just be the Atari roms. Their actions set the expectation here.
I would’ve bought a VCS but everything I read and videos that I watched stated you have to hook it up to a windows computer to get it running. Unfortunately I do not have access to a computer.
You don't need a computer, at least not in my experience, but you do need a wi-fi connection. I made a video of my experience setting up my system. ua-cam.com/video/z57yDFG5cEg/v-deo.html
Naw they updated the error on setup. It works straight out of the box. Got mine about a month ago and am using it right now to comment this actually lol.
@@thenosweargamer1449 I got mine around Black Friday and I had to download an update and flash it to a USB drive, then put that in there to let it update. If they fixed that issue then that's a good thing. I wound up using mine as a Batocera/emulation device, and it's actually extremely capable in that regard.
Big L for Atari.
The VCS is a fantastic streaming box. Atari should leverage their investment in antstream and provide a VCS streaming service dedicated to Atari releases. They only need to support the unique controller schemes including the classic controller with integrated paddle.
But I think it's a huge mistake to abandon the platform with so much untapped potential, including future iterations of the hardware. The reality is any x86-based PC can be the VCSII. There are hundreds of PC manufacturers that Atari could partner with. Small form factor PCs and components are plentiful. And the platform doesn't have to be limited to a single product. Atari could offer an entire line of VCS products all the way up to full ATX style gaming boxes. Atari only needs to focus on case design, unique controllers with paddle support, OS development, and the Atari store content. No other platform Atari has released has any such potential.
The Atari VCS was Feargal Mac's and Fred Chesnais' baby. Ward Rosen inherited it. I suspect Ward would like to move on from it and do his own thing. He is trying his best to support it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the VCS is hemorrhaging money.
Tetris forever didn’t come out on vcs I wish it had.
That’s awful that they did this!
Doesn’t Atari know? No backsies!
I switched from Atari to PC mode and have started using steam. The other atari items dont interest me. Too big of an investment since i dont have carts laying around.
And this is why I hate Digital Eclipse
I am annoyed that they lied about this. I think it’s shady to do it this way. They are going to lose everyone’s business acting like this.
Infograms is really ruining atari
The VCS is dead
You might want to re-upload this with the emoji section blurred out. There's a middle finger emoji in there.
seems like The Wacky World of Licensing strikes again
They own Digital Eclipse and Intellivision. What licensing?