History of video games/Platforms/WOWCube
History
editDevelopment
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The concept for the system originated in 2016.[1] The system was developed by a startup in San Rafael, California, which was spearheaded by Savva and Ilya Osipov.[2]
Preorders opened on January 11, 2021.[3] The number of preorders for the device reached 155,000 by August 30, 2021.[2]
CubiOS 0.1 v0.7.0-dirty was built February 7 2022.[4]
By March 31st, 2022 an SDK for the system was available to developers.[4]
The initial cost of the system was $250.[4]
Technology
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Because the WOWCube uses a fairly unorthodox formfactor and user interface, it's underlying electric and compute subsystems are also relatively distinct from other consoles of the era.
Compute
editThe system uses 8 independently and autonomously operating computers, each with their own CPU, that communicate through 96 of a total 144 neodymium ball magnetic and small current connections.[5][6]
Individual Module Computer Specifications
editEvery module is based on a STM32F405 microcontroller, which contains an ARM Cortex-M4 architecture 32-bit processor clocked at 168 megahertz.[7][8] Each module has 192 of main RAM, and 8 megabytes of flash storage.[7]
Software
editThe system runs a custom operating system "CubiOS", which is a name shared by the company that developed the system.[4][3] The official SDK encouraged developers to use the "Pawn" programming language for game logic.[9]
Hardware
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The system resembles a 2x2 simplified Rubik's Cube, incorporating screens on external faces of the device.[1]
The system used 24 OLED displays,[4] with each module sporting 3 displays.[7] Early prototypes instead used "IPS TFT" panels.[7] These early prototype panels had a resolution of 240x240 pixels, were sized at 1.56" and had a Gorilla Glass protected front.[7]
For input the system sported an accelerometer, as well as a 6-axis gyroscope.[4][7]
The system is powered with 5 volt electricity at 3 amps.[4] The system charges via a USB-C port and battery life lasts between 2-5 hours.[4] Every module contained a battery with a capacity of 540 miliamp hours.[7]
The system weighed in at 410 grams (14 oz), and measured "68 mm".[4]
Hardware schematics were meant to be published, with the intent of allowing individuals to build their own non-commercial systems.[7]
Games
edit- Space Invaders Cubed [10]
Gallery
edit-
Steve Wozniak at DesTechAz 2019, holding a WOWcube. -
WOWcube animation. -
Illustration from the US patent US2017057296.
References
edit- ↑ a b "Startups remake classic games for the digital era" (in en). ZDNet. https://www.zdnet.com/article/startups-remake-classic-games-for-the-digital-era/.
- ↑ a b "WowCube raises $1.5M from Xsolla founder for its Rubik’s Cube-like game device". VentureBeat. 30 August 2021. https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/30/wowcube-raises-1-5m-from-xsolla-founder-aleksandr-agapitov/.
- ↑ a b "WOWCUBE® ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM". wowcube.com (San Rafael, California). January 11, 2021. https://wowcube.com/news/cubios-inc-the-creator-of-the-wowcube-r-entertainment-system-an.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Bruce, James (31 March 2022). "Wowcube: It's Real, But Does It Really Wow?". MUO. https://www.makeuseof.com/wowcube-its-real-but-does-it-really-wow/.
- ↑ Switzer, Eric (15 May 2022). "Meet WOWCube: A Twisty Handheld Set To Take Gaming To A New Dimension". TheGamer. https://www.thegamer.com/wowcube-preview-cubios-max-filin-interview/.
- ↑ Colantonio, Giovanni (19 March 2022). "The WowCube is more than a video game gimmick" (in en). Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/wowcube-interview-max-filin/.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h "WOWCUBE® ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM". wowcube.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ↑ "STM32F4 - ARM Cortex-M4 High-Performance MCUs - STMicroelectronics" (in en). www.st.com. https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32f4-series.html.
- ↑ "WOWCUBE® ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM". wowcube.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ↑ "Space Invaders Cubed to Arrive on the WOWCube". TechAcute. 31 January 2022. https://techacute.com/space-invaders-cubed-to-arrive-on-the-wowcube/.