A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
The Atari 2600 was one of the first home video game consoles that was widely adopted. It was released in 1977 with many versions being offered.
Why are we doing this?
Global Game Gear is excited to Kickstart this new, affordable way to protect Atari 2600 cartridges. We're quietly creating our own video game museum which will include more obscure consoles like Vectrex, Virtual Boy, and Sega CDX. If funding is successful, the same Atari 2600 cartridge covers that you are kickstarting will be used to house the titles that will be used on a daily basis.
We've always believed that if we need something, other people probably need it too. So we are Kickstarting this idea to see if other people who love the Atari 2600 need them as well.
What you are Kickstarting:
You are kickstarting protective covers for Atari 2600 game cartridges. These protectors are like sleeves. They are open top, for easy access. And they are also "frosted" so that you can see the front label through the plastic, yet, the frosted effect also keeps our sleeves looking better, longer.
An Atari Jr. with an early prototype dust cover.
What's the purpose?
These covers protect your cartridges from damage. They will reduce the possible wear and tear on the label and the outside of the cartridge, while also providing additional protection to the internal circuit boards.
1st party Atari cartridges have a "dust cover" that provides a good amount of protection to internal parts, but most 3rd party cartridges do not.
Our sleeves can help protect both.
Our sleeve allows you to put the cartridge on display and you can access them easily. Your entire collection can have a consistent, organized look at an affordable price.
Who should kickstart this?
People who want to support the "vintage video game culture" should Kickstart this. If you don't need the covers, you can pledge at the "sing it to the rooftops" level. People who use and love vintage video games can support us by choosing the other pledge levels. It will make us a little happier inside to know that more vintage games are being protected (yes, it's true, we're sentimental that way).
Stretch Goal:
$10,000 Game manuals need a little love too, right? If we hit $10,000 we will include, at no charge, a box to hold your manuals in one place. Manuals are a bit different than cartridges, you really don't need to access them on a regular basis. The manual box may be shipped separately from the dust covers.
Design: Our design is a very simple one. Our goal is to be able to protect many cartridges at a low price. We've chosen an open top design, with frosted sides. Our goal is simplicity: if you pull out several titles, you can put any cartridge in any dust cover when you are done. There is no protection for manuals. We don't keep our manuals with the games that we actually use for play, we store them separately. We're offering a similar solution as a stretch goal.
Prototyes: As you can see in the prototype gallery, the first version was made using scrap plastic, packing tape, and a pair of scissors. Later we experimented with a version that was die-cut.
Samples: We expect production samples to arrive before the Kickstarter campaign ends. When they arrive, we'll let our backers know. If the samples are approved, we move on to production.
Production: Manufacturing will take 1 week after samples are approved, and possibly less. Manufacturing will happen in the same overseas factory that many of our other popular products are produced in. We've been doing business with them for years, we've visited them, and we are completely confident in their abilities. After the product is manufactured, the entire production will be shipped by ocean freight with some of our other products. They will take 5 weeks to arrive in our warehouse (estimated).
Delivery to you: Delivery of the Holiday Gift pledge level will happen sometime in late November. All other pledge levels will deliver no later than January 31, 2017. The actual delivery method has not been decided, but will likely be UPS or USPS.
The future: Who can say what the future holds? Will this be a one time production for Kickstarter or will we continue to produce it? Only time will tell.
Risks and challenges
I guess the real risk here is... whether it will fund at all. How many people out there want to protect their collection of Atari 2600 cartridges? We don't really know. Maybe you can help us find out!
There really aren't any risks or challenges. We know that risks or challenges might make our heart race or keep us up awake at night. But truth be told, we got this.
We have designed many game covers before. Like our GGG0031, a dust cover for the NES. It is very highly rated on Amazon: www.amzn.com/B00AO7ZTZK or the one-of-a-kind GGG0030: www.amzn.com/B00AAIDNTW also highly rated.
Choose this reward if you want to support use without ordering dust covers. As a reward, we'll sing your praises from an actual rooftop to anyone who will listen! Our neighbors are sure to be thrilled with this, too! A YouTube recording of the festivities will be published for all to enjoy. [One lucky backer can be the Grand Vizier of Song and Dance (see the last reward)]
Receive part of our first production of Atari 2600 Game Cartridge covers, with free shipping. You can be an "early adopter" of a new product released for a vintage console, which is almost paradoxical!
Wow, you have a big collection. We're impressed! You'll receive 50 extremely pretty dust covers for the Atari 2600. Well, ok, maybe only a cartridge would think they're pretty.
Did you know that at least 519 Atari games were produced? 139 by Atari and 380 by aftermarket makers, though everyone seems to have their own count they stick to. If you're buying this, you probably already knew this and are clearly a supreme collector of Atari 2600 cartridges! Out of respect for that accomplishment you will not only get 519 dust covers, but while the praises are being sung, we will do a dance in your honor. (Style of dance limited to those we actually know how to do. That's at least 8 by our count, so get happy!)
This pledge level is open to that one special person who wants to be the Grand Vizier of Song and Dance at the party where we sing and dance in honor of our backers. This one backer will have the choice of giving a welcome speech at the beginning of the Song and Dance party, which will be part of the YouTube video. They will get to party down with the team at the otherwise private event, which will include playing vintage consoles from our collection. Location to be decided later. Travel expenses and accommodation not included.
