Who's Dev'ing For This Machine?

[OMars]

I want to know what devs are actually interested in this thing...... The xgp mini might have potential. The only problem I see with it is its 2.2 inch screen. What else could hinder(*or maybe keep away)a developer from programming for it? :huh:

 

[michaeljustman]

My understanding is that Gamepark is releasing three different versions of the same hardware and they may not have the same specs is somewhat of a deterent for devs, because they would have to develop for one of the three.

 

[OMars]

My understanding is that Gamepark is releasing three different versions of the same hardware and they may not have the same specs is somewhat of a deterent for devs, because they would have to develop for one of the three.

Yes, true that could hinder devs. I think the only thing the xpg mini(maybe even the kids version)would be good at would be handheld emulation(because the text in those games are meant for small screens),but that is if any devs would even bother to develop for it.

 

[icurafu]

I'll have a look at the devkit, and if its special, I might give it a go.

 

[Radek]

I want to know what devs are actually interested in this thing...... The xgp mini might have potential. The only problem I see with it is its 2.2 inch screen. What else could hinder(*or maybe keep away)a developer from programming for it? :huh:

As long a machine has 320x240 screen and Arm CPU (and the mini has) it will not be that different than GP2x for most apps.
Spec wise the mini is making most sense of all GP models.

 

[DaveC]

My understanding is that Gamepark is releasing three different versions of the same hardware and they may not have the same specs is somewhat of a deterent for devs, because they would have to develop for one of the three.

Yes, true that could hinder devs. I think the only thing the xpg mini(maybe even the kids version)would be good at would be handheld emulation(because the text in those games are meant for small screens),but that is if any devs would even bother to develop for it.

I Just wonder what the mini does that makes it worth developing for? It is no better than a GP2X and has such a tiny screen so I don't see what the point of it would be.

 

[Radek]

My understanding is that Gamepark is releasing three different versions of the same hardware and they may not have the same specs is somewhat of a deterent for devs, because they would have to develop for one of the three.

Yes, true that could hinder devs. I think the only thing the xpg mini(maybe even the kids version)would be good at would be handheld emulation(because the text in those games are meant for small screens),but that is if any devs would even bother to develop for it.

I Just wonder what the mini does that makes it worth developing for? It is no better than a GP2X and has such a tiny screen so I don't see what the point of it would be.

Point is a possible ease of doing it.

The screen resolution and CPU are the same as in the GP2x. So not much changes would be needed for most apps. It's far better overall than say the GB Micro (but of course Nintendo has games).

I'm not going to buy one if they show eventually. But imho this one is making most sense GP's handheld from any perspective. Expect small size but some people do like it.

 

[Epicenter]

If one of the XGP units (XGP or XGP-Mini..) proves to be of acceptable build quality and development for the unit is painless and unrestricted (much in the vein of the GP2X), and operation of the 3D hardware turns out to be mostly easy (e.g. a library such as Paeryn's 'HW-SDL' with OpenGL support is made available) .. I would see it a distinct possibility, in fact likely, that I and HydraLancer would port our first-person shooter project (Armor of Acheron G) to one of these units.

The biggest concern is memory really; anything we created would probably have to be tailored for the machine with the LEAST amount of RAM making the extra mostly useless for a lot of applications on the full XGP. Maybe that won't be an issue, maybe it will ...

If the above conditions apply and disregarding 3D performance, we'll probably port over Stargazer if the machines surface. Should the GPU turn out to be exploitable for 2D gains, there might be some nice performance boosts; perhaps hardware scaling and rotation are attainable for a couple extra little graphical tricks akin to what's planned for the Dreamcast/PC versions (although not as grandiose.)

A whole lot of If's. We'll just need to see.

 

[OMars]

Man, there was an e-mail shown on the board stating that the screen of the xgp kids *could* change it's resolution up to 320x240! I think that would be awesome, even if it brings the price up to $100. I would buy it for sure! Let's hope they change the analog too, aren't dpads cheaper than analogs? :huh: Well anyway, who would develop for the kids if it changed in that way?

 

[Yono]

Man, there was an e-mail shown on the board stating that the screen of the xgp kids *could* change it's resolution up to 320x240! I think that would be awesome, even if it brings the price up to $100. I would buy it for sure! Let's hope they change the analog too, aren't dpads cheaper than analogs? :huh: Well anyway, who would develop for the kids if it changed in that way?

That's just silly. The whole reason Gamepark is making the Kids is because it is cheap to sell. Rather than bring up the screen size, it would just be smarter to drop the product altogether rather than have a device so similar to the Mini competing with it.

 

[OMars]

Man, there was an e-mail shown on the board stating that the screen of the xgp kids *could* change it's resolution up to 320x240! I think that would be awesome, even if it brings the price up to $100. I would buy it for sure! Let's hope they change the analog too, aren't dpads cheaper than analogs? :huh: Well anyway, who would develop for the kids if it changed in that way?

That's just silly. The whole reason Gamepark is making the Kids is because it is cheap to sell. Rather than bring up the screen size, it would just be smarter to drop the product altogether rather than have a device so similar to the Mini competing with it.

Well I guess they could get rid of the kids and drop the price of the mini and normal versions.

 

[JaqMs]

Man, there was an e-mail shown on the board stating that the screen of the xgp kids *could* change it's resolution up to 320x240! I think that would be awesome, even if it brings the price up to $100. I would buy it for sure! Let's hope they change the analog too, aren't dpads cheaper than analogs? :huh: Well anyway, who would develop for the kids if it changed in that way?

That's just silly. The whole reason Gamepark is making the Kids is because it is cheap to sell. Rather than bring up the screen size, it would just be smarter to drop the product altogether rather than have a device so similar to the Mini competing with it.

Well I guess they could get rid of the kids and drop the price of the mini and normal versions.

Like someone said earlier (I forgot who sorry), it doesn't make sense that they could just not sell the GPKids and drop the price of another handheld. They sell the handhelds to make a PROFIT.

 

[Alex.]

I wonder, JaqMs, which XGP will you purchase? Don't tell me all three!

- Alex

 

[OMars]

Like someone said earlier (I forgot who sorry), it doesn't make sense that they could just not sell the GPKids and drop the price of another handheld. They sell the handhelds to make a PROFIT.

The cost to develop and manufacture the products also affects pricing.

 

[JaqMs]

But think of it. Why would anyone (except Sony) sell something that comes at a complete loss to them? If GP makes just enough GPKids's and are able to sell and profit from them, THAT would make the other handhelds cheaper, maybe.

And Alex, I'm most likely getting an GPKids. I won't get it until there's at least a SINGLE piece of homebrew made for it, because that would mean someone is interested in it.

 

[OMars]

I don't like the fact that the xgp kids is called the xgp......kids. I would rather get a 2x if they keep the name...

 

[pea]

Hey guys. I've been out of the scene for a long time - one of my businesses (Mobile game development) has been extremely busy.

Is it confirmed, then, that the XGP/gamepark will support homebrew?

 

[woogal]

Is it confirmed, then, that the XGP/gamepark will support homebrew?

Gamepark mentioned a long time ago (around the start of this year I think) that a free sdk would be available.

 

[Lupin]

But think of it. Why would anyone (except Sony) sell something that comes at a complete loss to them? If GP makes just enough GPKids's and are able to sell and profit from them, THAT would make the other handhelds cheaper, maybe.

And Alex, I'm most likely getting an GPKids. I won't get it until there's at least a SINGLE piece of homebrew made for it, because that would mean someone is interested in it.

Microsoft and Sony both take big hits with any console or handheld they release. Nintendo typically doesnt lose too much if any at all cause they use current gen technology always.

 

[Epicenter]

Is it confirmed, then, that the XGP/gamepark will support homebrew?

Gamepark mentioned a long time ago (around the start of this year I think) that a free sdk would be available.

They're still maintaining this today; they stress the importance of homebrew and emulation quite often.

Nintendo typically doesnt lose too much if any at all cause they use current gen technology always.

They turn a profit, too.