8bitMicroGuy wrote:So I have an idea. How about we all make OUR OWN console?
If you want to work on a system without restrictions by a company who owns the system, there is already such a thing: It's called a PC.
The reason why we don't create our own console is because it would be pointless. NES developers are NES developers specifically because they want to create games for
the NES, the console that they played on when they were children.
I doubt that any developer here simply said: "I want to create a game for any console" and then simply chose the NES by closing his eyes and pointing to an entry on a list of several console names.
Instead, it was a conscious choice.
Just like a specific person is interested in NES development, but not in Master System development, the same person wouldn't be interested in development for a random new console.
If he didn't care about the platform in the first place, but would simply want a system that's not owned by a company, he would have used a PC right away.
A new dedicated console has the disadvantages of both worlds:
It doesn't have the nostalgic value, the history, the popularity and the aura of accomplishing something that you wanted to do since you were a child that the NES has.
But it wouldn't be limitless like a PC either.
So, what would be the point of a new console?
If you want to do authentic retro stuff, then you also want the authentic retro device and not a generic no-name modern-day thing.
If you simply want to program games and don't care for that authenticity, why limit yourself by the hardware of a dedicated console at all instead of doing the game any way you like and being able to reach billions of potential customers instead of the 200 guys who bought that one obscure new console?