Wanna build your own game console?  XGameStation shows you how

by Louis Bedigian

The XGameStation is designed to teach gamers how to make their own console!  GameZone speaks to its creator to find out how it’s done.

Is there anything the gaming industry can’t do?  It went from zero dollars to movie-sized profits in a decade.  Individual game series have competed with the most successful recording artists and continue to outlast them.  In the 80s and throughout most of the 90s games were considered to be nothing more than a toy.  Now they’re considered a career path, with specific degrees dedicated to them.  And not just for making or marketing them – some people get paid just to play them.

Soon another gaming innovation will come into play: the do-it-yourself game console.

Due for release this December, the XGameStation is the first of its kind.  Unable to contain our excitement, we contacted the XGameStation’s creator, Andre' LaMothe, to find out how he made this revolutionary tool, what it involves, and what it will take for a gamer to build a console himself.

The XGameStation is quite an ambitious project.  Tell us your story – how it got started, why you began the project, and what you hope to achieve with it.

Andre' LaMothe: I have been writing books about software game development for a long time. However, I feel that I have explored all there is to be explored for the most part with books that are 2000 pages or less, that combined with my game series under Premier Press makes me feel game development software books are pretty much handled now. Thus, I wanted to explore something really new, really hard, really black art and that's hardware of course. When I was 10 years old I would have loved to pick up a book/kit on how to develop my own video game system. The XGameStation is motivated from those thoughts more or less.

How long did it take you to design the XGameStation?

AL: Each prototype takes a few weeks to design, the XGameStation is a project in flux and I am not done with it yet – the entire hardware development will end up taking about 6-8 months I think.

How do you "build" this console yourself?  What all is involved?

AL: You don't. The XGameStation comes completely assembled, you LEARN to build one yourself and have the tools to do so if you want to. However, given the skill needed to wire wrap, solder, etc. I would be a little crazy to release the XGameStation in "kit" form unassembled :) Thus, it already comes pre-built.

Game programming.  How does it work?  Can you program games using the system itself, or is a PC necessary to do this?

AL: You can use a PC to program in C and then download the code to the XGameStation. However, one of the key fun factors is to just sit down with an XGameStation and a TV, keyboard and program. Thus the XGS comes with built in BASIC, so all you need is the XGS to program games, no PC required.

What is included with the XGameStation?  What will gamers see when they open the box for the very first time?

AL: This is still slightly up in the air, but they will see the XGS itself, one program flash cartridge, the CDs with eBook(s), the power supply adaptor, cables, and that's it. Optional equipment will be an added 65816, Z840020 processor, more cartridges, and possible NTSC-PAL conversion box if the first systems don't have built-in PAL.

Technologically, where does this console stand?

AL: Nowhere really. It's designed to be as simple as possible, since the point of the XGS is to teach hardware. Thus, think of the XGS as the "Hello World" of video game hardware. However, as of now I think the ARM7 is going to be my choice as the final main CPU at 33-66 MIPS and an FPGA GPU that does basic sprite, character, and bitmap graphics in 4-256 colors. 1-4 Megs of RAM.

How advanced are the audio capabilities?

AL: FM sound with possible digital sound. Nothing goes in the XGS that I can't teach to the readers and they can understand and build.

What type of media does it use?

AL: Flash cartridges with some onboard flash for firmware and built in apps like XGS BASIC.

Are there going to be any games available to buy for, or are gamers encouraged to create a development community and handle this themselves?

AL: I don't know, if people make games that run on it and people want to buy them great, but I think that would be a consumer angle and we aren't trying to penetrate that market. However, I think anything money that will change hands will change hands via people developing hardware hacks and add-ons to the XGS. However, we will surely encourage people to port as many games and emulators as possible to the XGS. I am mainly concerned with getting MAME, Intellivision, Atari 2600, etc. ported ASAP if the XGS can run fast enough to do the emulation.

Have any price points been estimated?  What is the highest or lowest price point that you are trying to avoid for the XGameStation?

AL: I have pinned it down to $100-200. Until manufacturing [begins] I can't be anymore specific, but once we can build them in lots of 1000 at a time prices will come down slightly.

Is the XGameStation going to be sold exclusively through your site, or will it be available through other venues?

AL: Our site, Amazon, Lik-Sang, and other worldwide distributors.  Additionally we may get some physical distribution in specialty shops [such as] Electronic Boutique in the USA.

What kind of a controller does this console use?

AL: I want to make the interface compatible with standard PlayStation controllers. Additionally, I will throw in a DB9 connector or two for some good old Atari joysticks.

Given the XGameStation's build-it-yourself nature, is it possible to manually tweak its performance beyond its original form?

AL: Absolutely, this is what it's all about. I can't wait to see someone overclock it to 100 Mhz :)

Thank you for your time.

For more information on this exciting development tool, visit the Official XGameStation Web Site – www.xgamestation.com