OpenFPGA initiative looks to preserve video gaming history through hardware emulation

guest · Jul 31, 2022

Analogue's recent firmware release includes an emulated PDP-1 minicomputer and working version of 1962's "Spacewar!"
July 31, 2022

In a nutshell: Video game enthusiasts are a nostalgic bunch that often enjoy revisiting some of yesterday's greatest titles. Unfortunately for many, the aging hardware used to play those original titles just isn't available. Software emulation can scratch the itch but can also introduce unwanted issues that detract from the game's feeling of authenticity. Analogue's Pocket handheld and openFPGA initiative are taking steps to solve that by perfectly emulating consoles and other historic platforms at the hardware level.
Click to expand...

Originally expected at the beginning of this year, Analogue's 1.1 firmware beta release expands the Pocket's feature set and includes several additions focused on extending the capabilities of 3rd party developers. These additional capabilities provide developers with OS-level tools, settings, and configurations required to successfully create and deploy new cores for the system using the device's field programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware. Cores equate to functionality that mimics a computing or console platform at the hardware level.

Analogue demonstrated the system's potential by including a fully functional implementation of what some deem the first real video gaming platform, the Programmed Data Processor-1 (PDP-1).
Click to expand...

According to Analogue, the Pocket is not technically designed to play copyrighted ROM files from the SD card slot. The slot is instead meant for firmware updates and other features to support the device itself.

The company's developer FAQ even clearly says "Analogue does not support piracy." What they do support, whether intentionally or not, is the ability to digitally patch and sign ROM files with a GB Studio signature, allowing them to then run on the Pocket.
Click to expand...

The Pocket was originally made available via pre-order in August 2020 and began shipping to customers in Q1 2022. According to the company's FAQ, orders will continue to be shipped in 2022 and 2023.
Click to expand...

guest · Jul 31, 2022

Analogue Pocket's first major update should finally unlock its potential
OS1.1 is still in beta, but it opens up the hardware to emulate more systems.
July 29, 2022

It’s been a longer wait than we’d hoped, but the first major software update for the Analogue Pocket is finally here. It’s still a beta version so not everything is fully fleshed out, but you’ll at least be able to get a taste of the company’s vision for its fledgling OS. The beta does include a taste of the “reference” Library, much-improved game saves and, most excitingly, a glimpse at how third-party developers can use the Pocket to emulate consoles beyond the ones it already does.
Analogue OS 1.1
“Memories,” as Analogue calls save-states, still aren’t complete, but you can at least save a respectable 128 different game states which is a vast improvement on the minimal offering at launch (one slot for just one game total).
Click to expand...

On a more practical note, Analogue has added support for more third-party controllers for when playing through the TV via the dock. To be fair, even though the officially supported list at launch was short (three 8Bitdo models plus the PS4 and Switch controllers), many more did still work. As of this release the number of 8Bitdo controllers supported jumps to 15 and PS5 owners can now use their DualSense, too, if they wish.
OpenFPGA
One of the more interesting features of the Pocket at launch was the presence of a spare FPGA chip. Analogue’s hardware doesn’t use software emulation, instead it uses a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to emulate consoles at the hardware level with cores — instructions for the FPGA that configure it to mimic a specific system.
Click to expand...

A core for the PDP-1 has been created for the Pocket allowing you to play one of the very first videogames — Spacewar! — from 1962.
And this should really just be the start of something more exciting as other developers – which can be anyone – get onboard.

“Many third-party developers have had their hands on openFPGA for some time now and you can expect a plethora of new amazing things being publicly released by them shortly on/after July 29th”, Taber told Engadget, before concluding: “We are not f***ing around with this.”
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

OpenFPGA initiative looks to preserve video gaming history through hardware emulation

guest Guest

guest Guest

Log in or Sign up

OpenFPGA initiative looks to preserve video gaming history through hardware emulation

guest Guest

guest Guest

Useful Searches