Atari is still optimistic about its VCS console after lead architect leaves

Atari’s new VCS console project may be in trouble after its lead architect and former Xbox team member quits his role at the company, claiming non-payment of invoices to be the issue.

The crowdfunded Atari VCS console was supposed to be launched in June, that date was delayed and the console is not expected until March 2020 now. However, it is possible the whole project could be in serious doubt since it's lead architect has quit the role due to unpaid invoices.

Former Xbox team founding member and lead architect of the Atari VCS retro games console project, Rob Wyatt has left the company. He officially resigned from the post on 4^th October claiming Atari had not paid his design consultancy, Tin Giant, who are behind the console’s development for the past six months.

“I was hoping to see the project through to the end and that it wouldn't come to this, but I have little choice other than to pursue other opportunities,” Wyatt said in a statement.

Despite this latest setback, Atari still seem confident that the console will launch in March 2020 as planned. “We remain confident in the Atari VCS as the entire team works diligently to bring forth its vision according to plan, and we will continue to communicate accordingly over the coming weeks and months, including hands-on presentations to key media and partners planned for later this fall.” Said Atari in an official statement.

Since then, Atari has published a medium post to update how the development of the device is progressing. The company revealed they still have plenty of work to do to update the status of the device from Prototype to production, but they claim to be getting closer each day.

Atari went on to discuss images of the motherboard in detail by pointing out the AMD Ryzen APU, integrated USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI interface and a power connector accessible from the rear of the system. One large unpopulated area of the board is said to house the cooling solution which comprises of a blower fan and venting system.

Another open area towards the front of the board is where and M.2 SATA SSD drive will be located, which will be upgradeable. Not visible in the photo, however, Atari mention two SODIMM DDR4 modules providing 8GB total memory, are integrated into the motherboard and two further USB ports will be accessed on a front-mounted riser, behind the front fascia.

KitGuru says: Losing an instrumental part of the design team at such a critical point could spell trouble for the Atari VCS. What Do you guys think to the future of the console after this latest setback?

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