> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-bounces_at_classiccmp.org
> [mailto:cctalk-bounces_at_classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Dwight K. Elvey
> Sent: 05 December 2003 21:44
> To: cctalk_at_classiccmp.org
> Subject: Re: Space Invaders returning to arcades...
>
> One thing to consider. If they were making so much money that it
> was a overwelming gouge, other would compete against them. Arcade
> machines are not cheap to make. Doing 10K units of a 10 year lifetime
> is not a large run. The CPU board is most likely designed in house
> because they can not depend on outside vendors to keep an obsolete
> design. Any uP design is obsolete within 6 months to a year. They
> need a longer product life. Knowing the methods used to create
> these arcade machines, I would say that $3K is a little on the
> high side but not all that much. One wouldn't stay in business doing
> these for anything less then $2.5K. Maybe you know something I don't.
Hang on, given current technology are you saying that these people are
spending time and money actually DESIGNING new boards for 20 year old games
that can run on mobile phones?
Even paying the original licensors a fee per cab you can get Space Invaders
running on an old 386 for next to nothing. The controllers and buttons are
readily available so you could do it yourself for a very small fee.
Has the point here gone rushing past my rather tired head?
cheers
PS I've just knocked an entire glass of red wine over my legs, testbed PC
(fortunately not running), 2 production machines (fronts only), floorboards,
stuff lying round waiting to be sold etc, components, docs and even my
powermac G3, which should be out of harms way. Suffice to say I'm not happy.
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - ex-monthly gothic shenanigans :o(
Received on Fri Dec 05 2003 - 17:13:55 GMT