Well as discussed in the DBClassic forum in the Playstation, Xbox, games thread, I started playing around with making a DBConsole.
So here is what I have done.
I have taken an old server with a
P3-700
512mb ram
SCZI everything
2 - 40gb Hard Drives
Windows 2000 ( I will do a 98/xp when I order MSDN again)
40x CD ROM
8 4 24 CD-RW
Matrox G400 Dual Head with TV Out (this will change to a 128mb Gforce4 card eventually)
NIC Card
Sound Blaster 64 (I think, its an older card)
I am atm modifying the Win 2k front end. When done it will load the following screen if no CD is in.
Its a mock up, because the actual screen is just windows buttons, I want to animate the swirls.
If a CD with auto run is placed in the drive it will auto run the game. Now, if the CD is taken out while the game is being played, the console will reset to the screen above.
Im setting up a few dev rules, basically all games have to save to drive D and like this
d:\(companyname)\(gamename)\savefile
The save files will have a 128x128 graphic file with the logo of the game. (like Xbox, PS2)
Im hoping to beable to release a couple of cut and paste DBPro commands so the saves, rule base are basically all done via cut and paste, no extra coding really needed.
The games will not install onto the Hard Drive, but run from the CD. The reason for the CD-RW is you can DL the image file or compressed file, and use the interface to burn the CD rom.
There is an OS Updater, and Hardware updater built in to the front end. And they are exactly like they sound, they DL windows updates, hardware updates and install.
Im also doing a community, where you can chat through the console, or PC, I want to set up an entire chat system, private rooms, forums, etc. Easy to do, but im not looking at replacing these or LLRGT boards.
Now I know this console can run any pc game, or even *GASP* Blitz Basic 3D Games, but this isnt a project to make money, its a fun in the sun, hobby thing. I may also release the same easy to use codes for DBClassic, and Blitz Basic 3D. Because im going to release the how to do this, and source code.
Eventually I want to have a complete instruction list with how to take a PC and do it. Install your OS and install the front end and completly have your own Dark Basic Console. (name will probally change)
I have forums setup now, and a basic web site (im doing a flash one so just did a basic front page one)
Please go and talk about what I have there for this and my other topics. I wont really be talking to much about it, just have updates with go to my web page.
The DBConsole threads are the very bottom of the forums.
