THEC64 ™ is here and has bought it’s cousins along for the ride! The world’s bestselling single computer model has been reimagined in both computer and console versions!
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THEC64 ™ is being designed and developed by a team led by a world class software and hardware engineer. He is aided by a technical team from around the world.
THEC64 ™ project is headed up by video game industry veteran Darren Melbourne who conceptualized and bought to market the C64DTV ™ console as well as dozens of other game related products during a video games career that has spanned over thirty years.
THEC64 ™ gaming team is built around a group of people with many years of games creation and intellectual property licensing experience! The foundation of the team is their love of the Commodore 64 ™ and it is this passion that shines through with the creation of the games software for THEC64 ™. Key team members are also integral parts of the C64 community, working tirelessly to preserve and maintain the C64 , keeping the scene vibrant and alive.
This Indiegogo campaign is intended to raise the necessary funds to manufacture the first production units of THEC64 ™ which will be shipped to the backers of the campaign., The campaign will also enable us prepare us for the global retail production launch of THEC64 ™
By supporting this project it will allow you to be one of the first to own one of the new THEC64 ™ consoles. All backers who have pledged for one of the consoles can choose to receive one of THEC64 ™ range (computer or handheld versions) from our first and numbered production run. Backers of this campaign are also ensuring the continued existence and survival of the greatest home computer of all time.
There is also an exciting range of other THEC64 ™ campaign backers perks, including: signed limited edition concept art originals, posters, limited edition chrome computers, and even getting your name on the PCB!
(Concept Ideas Renders)
Why TWO different computers/consoles?
Since its inception our plan has always to bring both a classic home computer, as well as a games console to the market. We did not want to fall into the trap of releasing the computer and then twelve months later releasing the console. In this way backers of the campaign can choose either - the home computer, the handheld 64 (THE 64SX ™) or both, donating appropriately to our ideas on these concepts.
What games are included with THEC64 ™?
This is where it gets interesting for fans of retro gaming! We are already speaking to a wide range of rights holders with regards to including their games on THEC64 ™! We will announce these over the coming weeks, once the campaign is underway, and we can speak more openly about the titles.. All we can say at this point is you are going to be very, very happy. Whilst we will include some absolute retro game classics, we hope to include some all new games, which have 30+ years of new programming techniques to delight you, and we will also be bringing some mystery games that you will just have to see to believe! Keep watching this space for updates, we will do our very best.
Can I add other games to THEC64 ™ computer/consoles?
Yes, yes, yes! We are making THEC64 ™ computers and consoles REALLY easy to add more games to.
(Concept Idea Renders)
The development of THEC64 Computer/Consoles
THEC64 ™ computers and consoles feature all new core technology, based around the classic 64 architecture and is being designed and developed by a team of expert developers, many of whom have already created the technology behind several other classic retro consoles.
THEC64 ™ case concept designs have been created by our own team of experienced, creative and passionate in-house designers, who have created a beautiful concept homage to the C64. An incredible new concept design one with one eye fixed very firmly in the past.
Technical Specifications
The specifications for THEC64 ™ are not fixed at this point in time - we will be engaging with the community and customers over the coming months to deliver the best product we can! We want to hear from you guys what you want us to add!
At the core of THEC64 ™ is a low cost, high power ARM Cortex SoC, which provides all the modern interfaces demanded by today’s consumers. This has clear advantages for the consumer. Creating a software/hardware hybrid machine allows THEC64 ™ to be both affordable and flexible, and delivers a product that can expand to meet users future needs. A pure hardware implementation, on the other hand, fixes the specification at design time, and we feel that this is too limiting a solution and a substantial risk. Gate arrays are too costly to give an economic solution.
Specifications that are fixed are:
- Accurate recreation of the classic Commodore 64.
- HDMI video and audio output.
- We are considering composite video in addition to HDMI, for use on classic televisions.
- Multiple SIDs for stereo sound (6581 or 8580)
- New high-capacity (512MB+) writable cartridge support, with an adapter interface available later to provide classic cartridge compatibility.
- Support for current storage media (for example SD cards), with emulation of the 1541.
- Multiple joystick support for multi-player games.
- Support for many of the popular emulator game file formats.
- Firmware upgradable to support additional features and machines in the future (DTV64 features, etc.)
- Hopefully the possibility to connect original peripherals, or via adaptors.
THEC64 ™ has the same programmability as the original C64, so you can write your own software in BASIC or 6502 assembly (given a suitable assembler). You can therefore re-live the experience of learning to code on such a classic machine, but with the advantage of being able to save your programs onto modern storage, such as SD card, for instant retrieval.
(Concept Box design for THEC64 ™)
THEC64 ™ - Current Status
The core research and development of THEC64 ™ consoles is complete, and we have working prototypes ongoing, concept case models, and software waiting to go into production as soon as practical. Production and shipping of the first THEC64 ™ consoles for the campaign backers where planned for early December 2016 (but now revised to Spring 2018), Given the chance, and with encouragement from all our supporters, we will reach our funding goal quickly and perhaps we be able to improve on this delivery date potentially. Sadly due to not making our hoped for target time lines have moved but it is coming!
Inspiration for THEC64 ™ computer and consoles
THEC64 ™ is the culmination of many years of dedication, and perseverance by our team, who individually and collectively have worked to create something truly special. We hope that our project resonates with those who grew up with and were inspired by the global phenomena which was the Commodore 64 ™. We hope that both old and new users of the original computer will want to rekindle their passion and will once again be inspired by this new incarnation of that legendary machine. The 64 is dead, Long Live THEC64 ™!
(photos shows size differences between THEC64™ concepts and an original C64™)
The features of THEC64 ™ Computer and Consoles
THEC64 ™ range of computers and console is very simple to operate. It will come preloaded with a range of classic and all new games, but more importantly will allow you to add as many games to it as you want! THEC64 ™ is a Commodore 64 ™ but it’s also so much more!!
(Concept Render of original proposed handheld prior to THE64 Mini )
About the team behind THEC64 ™
Darren Melbourne – Has been in the games industry for over thirty years. During his career in the games industry Darren has created games for almost every major platform of note since the early 1980’s but has always retained a passion for eight bit gaming, especially for the Commodore ™ range of machines. Darren was also one of the key people behind the C64DTV ™ console, striving to constantly breathe new life into the classic Commodore 64 ™. Darren is leading an experienced and passionate team to bring this project to completion, continuing the legacy of the greatest home computer all of time!
Paul Andrews – Co-Creator of several games based consoles, his prior games company was also behind many PC/mobile based retro games, and also behind the Nintendo Wii C64 games. Paul has extensive experience in digital content publishing and management over many formats, as well as years of selling products to/via retailers.
Chris Smith – Co-creator of several games based consoles, Chris’s code powers much of what we do! He also just so happens to have written the world’s best guide book on how to design and create your own microcomputer!
(Initial THE 64 ™ joystick concept)
The manufacture of THEC64 ™ range of computer and console
We are exploring various manufacturing and distribution options to ensure global deliveries directly to backers. We have set the currency of this campaign in USA Dollars, but THEC64 ™ is truly a globally loved computer, and we are aiming to set up region specific delivery and distribution options for our backers.
Following our initial production run for those of you who choose one of the various THEC64 ™ computer and console perks in this campaign, we hope to launch to retail after fulfilling backers THEC64 ™ computers and console. Everyone who has pledged in this campaign will receive updates over the coming months, telling them about our progress through the various stages of design, and manufacture through to final delivery to you all. Your support and funding will help us to make the launch of THEC64 ™ range of consoles a reality. By backing this campaign you will become one of the first people in the world to own a THEC64 ™ computer or console!
The risks and challenges of creating THEC64 ™ computer and console
The team behind THEC64 ™ have previously created and brought to market dozens of games and also gaming consoles. From the C64DTV ™ to other computer and handheld consoles, From the C64 ™ games on the Nintendo Wii ™ system to AAA next generation games. We have previously delivered these to both retail buyers and Indiegogo backers.
We have gained all the appropriate Intellectual Property licenses for this project from Cloanto, the owners of the ROMS and BIOS of the Commodore 64 ™.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How can I get in touch with THEC64 ™ team?
If you want to get it touch with THEC64 ™ team for anything to do with the campaign, or if you just fancy a chat then fire an email over to us via www.the64.computer or reach out to us on our social channels. We will be happy to help.
Why have you partnered with Indiegogo to raise funds?
Partnering with Indiegogo allows us to kick start our initial production and get THEC64 ™ to you the fans quicker than traditional methods. As an international platform, the Indiegogo web site can also get us exposure to supporters across Europe, the U.S, and the rest of the world which is important to us.
Why is there a delay from backing the project to delivery?
We are an experienced team but a fairly small new company which does not have limitless access to finance to build a supply of stock. By supporting us through our campaign, you will help pay for our first full production run which we will ship to you as soon they’re ready on a first come, first served basis.
When will THEC64 ™ be delivered?
Deliveries for the computer version we hoped would begin from December 2016, but in fact backers will now get their initial mini console in Spring 2018.
Does THEC64 ™ come with a warranty?
Of course! Every THEC64 ™ will come with an appropriate 1 year warranty from any manufacturing faults or defects.
Where are you shipping to?
The territories we are shipping to are listed within the perks & different shipping rates will apply depending on where you are in the world. But in general we hope to ship THEC64 ™ globally.
I would like to change my perk shipping address. What should I do?
(The answer can be found here).
What will happen after the campaign?
We go into full retail production across the globe of the mini and later the full sized version in spring 2018.
Why are the payments on Indiegogo being taken in US Dollars when you’re a British company?
We are British company but the Commodore 64 ™ and therefore hopefully THEC64 ™ will have a very strong following across the world. USD tends to be a familiar currency - we hope you don’t mind!
I’m having trouble making a payment for my perk on Indiegogo. Who should I reach out to?
We’re sorry to hear that you are having problems! If you’re having trouble making a payment, please reach out to Indiegogo’s Customer Happiness Team at support@indiegogo.com. One of their payments specialists should be able to assist you within 24 hours.
Can I get a refund of my perk?
Yes, if you change your mind about backing THEC64 ™ during the campaign. According to Indiegogo’s refund policy, all backers can get a refund directly through them until the campaign ends. Instructions can be found here.
Disclaimer – Retro Games Ltd, THEC64(tm) are in no way associated with Commodore Holdings B.V. THEC64(tm) have not been prepared, approved, or licensed by Commodore Holdings B.V in any way and are not licensed to use the Commodore(R) name or 'Chicken Head' logo. The Commodore Roms, BIOS and THEC64(tm) form factor are officially licensed from Cloanto https://cloanto.com/ The music featured within the video for this crowd fund campaign is owned and composed by Rob Hubbard and is used with kind permission for illustrative purposes only. The music is used with the permission of the author and High Technology Publishing Ltd http://www.megafounder.com/commodore-64
Details of THEC64 computers and consoles may vary in the final delivered models.
The 64 IS DEAD – LONG LIVE THEC64!