A new MSX (3?) for 2022 ?

By ivke2006

Expert (90)

07-08-2022, 13:22

Therefore Nishi will position MSX3 not only to attract the MSX-scene but also new developers. The focus on IOT with means to develop in MicroPython and distribute software via an AppStore opens up a very big market. Also because developers will be able to distribute complete IOT solutions like selling hardware/sensor package and distribute software via an AppStore. Installing software without the need for compiling so end user friendly. Basically PC/Raspberry/Arduino and possible small/medium scale end user product combined.
This could be a golden combo especially with focus on education.

I’m familiar with Arduino + multiple sensors and for me it gives me the same satisfaction as coding on MSX. So perhaps give it a try?

By wimpie3

Champion (438)

07-08-2022, 19:46

But why re-invent the wheel? I make programs for both the Raspi and the Arduino. I don't see the need for another new product doing the same...

By meits

Scribe (6577)

07-08-2022, 20:29

if programming modern stuff connected to a gpio using msx basic... that would be fun.
For now I await other people's experiences with the final product before I begin thinking about getting one.

By ivke2006

Expert (90)

07-08-2022, 21:03

wimpie3 wrote:

But why re-invent the wheel? I make programs for both the Raspi and the Arduino. I don't see the need for another new product doing the same...

Well, according to that logic..why did manufacturers bother to introduce several computer standards in the 80’s?
Besides, what Nishi confirmed and I tried to explain is that you can buy some standard sensors ( like groove, seed, sparkfun, adafruit) and buy/download software via AppStore for your MSX3 that uses these sensors without compiling so end user friendly. This creates a lot of possibilities also to earn money. Not something that is possible with your arduino. Raspberry I don’t know..but still if raspberry can do this too why only 1 flavour? Also that’s not the only proposition Nishi has in mind.

By wolf_

Ambassador_ (10135)

08-08-2022, 10:27

ivke2006 wrote:

Well, according to that logic..why did manufacturers bother to introduce several computer standards in the 80’s?

It was a booming market, those were the days when computers and technology were hot (this can also be seen in films and music-clips from those days). So, naturally, every company wanted a slice of the pie, all hoping their system would eventually become the world dominating standard.
There were several ways a computer could be made back then; focus on colours, focus on music, focus on speed, focus on office usage, focus on home usage (e.g. including a BASIC), focus on server/network/school usage etc. All these things we take for granted nowadays in our modern PC's, but back then things were different.

Nowadays computers are largely identical, even if just because the OS and software dictate what a computer should be able to do. Back then it's was the other way around. You want to make a new computer for graphics? Fine, make sure Photoshop runs on it or no-one will use it. Which requires a regular OS, and thus the whole thing becomes a regular computer with probably only a souped-up video card making any difference. Back then it was different. You had the MSX/C64/Amiga for games, the PC for Word Perfect, the Atari for MIDI, the Macintosh for DTP etc.

So, if computers are largely the same nowadays, why make another system that somehow has part of its roots from a system from the 80's? Keep in mind that nearly half the world's current population was born after the release of the tR.

Let's put it differently; if a company wants to make a new game console today (to compete with Nintendo, Sony etc.), would they call it an Atari 26000, just to cash in on the old legacy?

By ivke2006

Expert (90)

08-08-2022, 12:10

Those computers had their own specialty. This will also be the case with MSX3.

By AxelStone

Prophet (3199)

08-08-2022, 11:18

wolf_ wrote:

Few scraps of content for the v9990, anyone? That chip had it all, yet then years after its release we were making MSX1 games.

Completely agree with this.

wimpie3 wrote:

But why re-invent the wheel? I make programs for both the Raspi and the Arduino. I don't see the need for another new product doing the same...

And also with this. Nowadays we have covered basically all the options, and I can't imagine what MSX3 can provide as extra features, speciall considering the expected price.

By NetNomad

Resident (52)

08-08-2022, 16:07

I've been trying to make sense of the plan for the MSX3 and the only way I can rationalize it is to look at it as being "about" scalability the same way the original MSXes were "about" expandability (I put that in quotes because the MSX is about many things ). Nishi is describing all of these different models with different power levels and then add-ons on top of that, to the point where stacking a whole bunch of MSX3s on top of each other will let you do "supercomputing." On one hand that general idea is enticing- my phone, home computer and work computer have three different operating systems and the idea of being able to use one OS and the same programs for the most and least powerful computers is enticing. On the other hand the jack of all trades is the master of none, and creating on platform to meet the computing needs from the microcontroller level all the way up to the supercomputer level would be an incredible challenge even for some of the biggest tech companies out there. It doesn't help that the lowest end model, the "MSX0," doesn't seem to have the same hardware as the MSX3 so there's already a major incompatibility comparable to like a regular raspberry pi vs a raspberry pi pico. I am still cautiously optimistic because at the very least the MSX0 might be fun to play with and design games around goofy IOT input devices if the price is right, but I definitely agree with you all that this won't take over the world. Godspeed to Nishi for trying though!

Quote:

Let's put it differently; if a company wants to make a new game console today (to compete with Nintendo, Sony etc.), would they call it an Atari 26000, just to cash in on the old legacy?

Funny enough, the current rights holders to both Atari and Intellevision are both trying this, and it's going about as well as you'd expect...

By Pokun

Expert (72)

08-08-2022, 17:48

Well, retro-gaming and -computing is all the rage again now, so the timing to revive something from the golden era is right at the very least.

By Hit-Biter

Master (175)

16-08-2022, 20:07

Hey Wimpie 3, Hope you see this as i need some help. Ive been trying to learn MSX Basic and typed in your listing of Spaceman. Unfortunately i think i have an incomplete listing as the Rocket data seems to be missing. I believe one page got overwritten or printed twice in the magazine and a page was left out. Could you provide me with a complete listing. Im only typing this is to learn and i like to finish what i start. Please contact me on clankennedy2004 ' at ' yahoo dot co dot uk . I hope you can help and stay safe.

Kind regards,

Paul