(ThyBlackMan.com) Atari VCS console is set for release in 2018, and according to the company, it’s more than a retro box. The new Atari VCS game console borrows design concept from the company’s previously launched console. But the biggest challenge for Atari is how it will convince people to buy a $249 – $299 console when there are plenty of options available from companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
During an interview, the company’s COO talked about the console. His attempt to justify his company’s silence didn’t entertain gaming industry as he left fans clueless about what to expect from the Atari VCS. Limited details revealed by the company made it clear that the new console from Atari is a complete digital entertainment box packed with the same tried and tested features.
On the new console, you will be able to surf the internet, use social 
media, play Netflix and other video streaming services and most importantly you can play games. The Atari VCS runs on Linux operating system which means there won’t be strict limitations for game developers. It is safe to assume that the game library on this console will be full of AAA and indie titles, but it largely depends on the user base and the biggest question is: “how large the user base will be?”
While talking about the Atari VCS console, Atari’s Michael Arzt said the console will bring retro gaming and modern gaming together. It means that people can enjoy old games from the 80’s era and at the same time, the young generation will be enjoying access to their social media accounts and favorite TV shows.
People do not need just another entertainment hub because smartphones, TV boxes, and existing consoles can all get connected to the TV and we can do everything (without VCS) Atari claims their console can do. Why would someone spend money on a console when there’s nothing new other than some retro games and a system that runs Linux?
Atari has not revealed the details about its VCS console’s features and technical specifications. The company said it is in talks with game developers to bring content on its platform. The company also said it has formed a new partnership to ensure better quality in both hardware and software areas. According to the company, the target audience falls into two categories: people who are around age 35 and those who are under the age of 35.
Let’s say Atari VCS features the best possible hardware and manages to beat PS4 and Xbox One in terms of performance. But when it comes to delivering quality content on its platform, it’s quite impossible for Atari to beat those giants in a year or two. Even if the company manages to ink deals with some big, popular studios for Linux port of their games, what would be Atari’s answer to Microsoft and Sony’s more than a decade-old fan community?
Atari is late to the party and it needs something more to convince people. If the company is thinking that it can attract young and middle-aged adults with a mix of modern features and retro games, this idea won’t work unless there’s some uniqueness hiding inside the Atari VCS box.
That uniqueness should be outside the hardware because there’s so much competition out there and products like Nvidia Shield, the consoles, digital media boxes, laptops, tablets, and Chromecast have everything the Atari VCS console can put on the specs sheet. It would be nice to have some unique features on the software side. Like how Microsoft is keeping old games alive through backwards compatibility, Atari is also trying to do the same. If Atari could bring an all-in-one home entertainment solution, do magic in multimedia support, keep the price low and fill the library with classic and modern AAA games, it could be a great product.
If Atari makes an all-in-one home entertainment solution, people will no longer need to buy separate products to play games, watch TV, listen to music, mirror screen, use social media. In this way, the company can’t only promote its product outside the video game industry, it can also reduce the need of putting money into different products.
Staff Writer; Corey Shaw
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