The guys over at gcw-zero have graciously shipped us out their GCW-Zero: Open Source Gaming Handheld to review for you all on HQ.
A huge thanks are in order to the guy's over at www.gcw-zero.com for shipping this unit out to us! Before we go any further you should understand that this unit is still in early stages, this meaning that there is not alot that it can do at the moment.
What's a GCW-Zero I hear you say? The GCW-Zero is a Linux flavored handheld powerful enough to run classic PC games, emulate the game consoles we grew up with and run homebrew games seamlessly at high frame rates.
The GCW can be comparable to a phat PSP 1001 models in a way, back in the day there were tons and tons of firmware exploits released that allowed you to run homebrew and emulators. With the GCW Zero you can do just that without having to have to worry about a update blocking your emulators. Below we see the unit on.
The console runs on Linux software, not android. So far the only way to get Apps is through FTPing OPK files which is basically binary c/c++ programming from my understanding, or loading them through a Micro SD card slot. Personally the console Emulates just fine for me. I tested a NES emulator and had no issues, as mentioned there is not alot it can do at the moment as it is still in early beta stages. Devs are working really hard on pushing out software. The guy's over at GCW Zero did mention that there would be a App store pushed eventually.
In all honesty do not expect this device to run high end games, as the specs are a bit low, coincidentally the GCW zero ships with a respectable 32GB of internal memory it can be expandable to 64GB. Since this device is to mainly run retro gaming the screen resolution is 320 x 240 with a 3:4 ratio which is ideal for retro gaming as stated on their website.
Major Nelson confirmed today that the next generation Xbox One console, scheduled for release this November, will allow independent game developers to self-publish their own Indie games.
Here's what Microsoft Mac Whitten had to say:
"Our vision is that every person can be a creator. That every Xbox One can be used for development. That every game and experience can take advantage of all of the features of Xbox One and Xbox LIVE. This means self-publishing. This means Kinect, the cloud, achievements. This means great discoverability on Xbox LIVE."
Marc also clarified to IGN just recently that not all of these features will be available at launch (including the ability to use any console as a dev kit), but the goal is to make the process have "as low of a barrier to entry as possible" for independent developers.
Some Russian hacker, unilaterally deciding that PC gamers have the inalienable right to play the 2011 Xbox 360 game The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile (pictured), just up and ported the thing, saying "This is not piracy, this is restoration of justice."
According to a translation of the GameDev.ru forums, the hacker, named Barabus, said "the authors are not very nice to publish the game exclusively for the Xbox 360, making it impossible for PC gamers to play in such a great game."
Then, "Given that developers ignore the PC platform, about any loss of profit for them is not out of the question. After all, if they wanted to earn money, then the game would be issued on all available platforms."
Introducing Darkmatter, the world's first Xbox laptop that you can buy as a fully assembled product or in kit form. Now Xbox ONE compatible!
Inspired by Ben Heck and many other modders and hackers in the Xbox Community, Darkmatter is the world's first portable Open Source Xbox system that you can buy as a fully finished product, or in kit form.
The project is Open Source and once the funding goal on Kickstarter is met, all design files will be released to the public. The laptop features touch controls for eject, synch, volume etc. It also comes with built in stereo speakers, a headphone jack and an amp. The display is a 15 inch 720p pane. A DVD drive is included and the system is compatible with all Xbox 360 games as it is based on the slim version of the popular Microsoft console.
Darkmatter Xbox Laptop Features
Thin
Xbox 360 and XBox ONE (kit only) compatible
Easy to build
Affordable
Equipped with an internal DVD
Able to work with Xbox peripherals such as Kinect(r)
Equipped with capacitive touch controls for volume, mute, sync, power etc.
The Darkmatter laptop is powered off the same power brick that comes with your Xbox. When you contribute at the $999 or greater levels, you get a fully functional, ready-to-go Darkmatter unit with the power brick included. Please note, Darkmatter is not equipped with an internal battery.
Darkmatter incorporates an Xbox 360 Slim 4GB inside, which means that it supports Wi-Fi connectivity, Xbox Live and all the other Xbox 360 features. As of Update #1, we've announced Xbox ONE compatibility for the $499 reward level (complete kit).
AutoGG by blaKCat is an All-In-One JTAG/RHG app which allows you to read and flash via LAN thanks to a combination of FSD and a Modded Simple Nandflasher.
The video below shows Autogg Updating a console with Dash 16197 to 16202 only with One Click using LAN.