Close

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 26 of 26
  1. #21
    DF VIP Member reverend's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    On the couch
    Posts
    2,615
    Thanks
    181
    Thanked:        452
    Karma Level
    402

    Default Re: Sinclair Spectrum Vega

    That's an older project - with this new one they're getting the developers to have what fees they would have donated to charity. There are some people on their FB page on about donating disks with games on, unless it's actually old school developers who are saying they can use their work?

    Seeing as a lot of them are out of business or moved on it must be a nightmare trying to contact them all!

  2. #22
    DF VIP Member Over Carl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    13,125
    Thanks
    3,975
    Thanked:        1,690
    Karma Level
    1251

    Default Re: Sinclair Spectrum Vega

    Firstly as already pointed out, the market value of this type of product has so far been proven to be around £20. And everyone who's already selling now for those kind of prices didn't need to beg the public for money.

    Secondly, I remember using the keyboard a lot on old games. How do you change the mapping of the given buttons to proper keyboard buttons? If you can't, they should have just started with a console. If you can, I can't imagine it being easy which begs the question where is the keyboard (or USB port for one)? Without a keyboard it's not a spectrum. Much as a brand new Merc with no steering wheel isn't really a car anymore.

    Any info on the tape to SDcard translator and the cost?

    Turning one of the first popular affordably priced general purpose computers into a highly overpriced cripple is probably the best way of insulting the legend of the Sinclair that I can think of.

    2 Thanks given to Over Carl

    Jack-daniels (4th December 2014),  jed1 (8th September 2015)  


  3. #23
    DF VIP Member reverend's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    On the couch
    Posts
    2,615
    Thanks
    181
    Thanked:        452
    Karma Level
    402

    Default Re: Sinclair Spectrum Vega

    Sorry for bouncing an old thread but I just saw this on the BBC News about the updated Vega hardware:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39191064

    Crowdfunding platform Indiegogo intervened to stop a handheld retro computer console campaign from acquiring further funding, the BBC has learned.
    The Spectrum ZX Vega+, backed by Sir Clive Sinclair, had achieved its original crowdfunding target.
    But then Indiegogo halted further fundraising because of delivery delays and a lack of communication to backers.
    The project's organisers had asked the BBC not to reveal the development.
    The BBC understands no consoles have been delivered to backers, despite a pledge last month that they would "ship after 20 Feb 2017".
    And the company behind the project - Retro Computers Limited - suggested these details might put its team at risk.
    "Following a credible threat of violence against personnel of Retro Computers Limited, including threats made as recently as last night, we asked [technology desk editor] Leo Kelion and the BBC to refrain from publishing a story we believe to be factually inaccurate and might put people at risk of physical harm, alarm and distress," Retro Computers Limited founder David Levy said in a statement on Wednesday.
    "Since December 2016 the BBC have formally been on notice that this is a police matter, and we ask that the BBC and Mr Kelion do not compromise the police investigation."
    The BBC delayed publication of this report to give RCL managing director Suzanne Martin time to provide evidence of the threats, but she did not do so.
    In the meantime, the Gizmodo news site also published and then deleted an article about the matter because it too was told of threats.
    Refund requests
    RCL had already received more than £513,000 ($624,000) from Indiegogo crowdfunders for the Vega+ .
    And before the fundraising campaign was halted, the project had been listed as "in demand" to allow new people to become backers, despite having already reached its funding target.
    But in recent weeks, many backers have expressed anger that they still have not received their console and claimed their requests for more information were going unanswered by the company.
    Although, Indiegogo is clear in its terms and conditions that those who back a project are supporting an idea rather than buying a product - and that hardware in particular tends to be more difficult to deliver.
    In 2015, RCL brought a different Sinclair computer to fruition after a smaller campaign.

    A previous Spectrum Vega console was delivered to backers and put on sale
    Lawyers' letter
    RCL originally said the new Spectrum ZX Vega+ was due to go into production in the summer of 2016 and it might even "be able to improve on this delivery date".
    But in December 2016, after the BBC contacted RCL to ask about the status of the Vega+, the broadcaster was threatened with legal action.
    "Our clients are concerned that the BBC is in fact supporting and participating in a malicious campaign intended to denigrate our clients' reputation," wrote lawyers Michelmores LLP in a letter to the broadcaster.
    They went on to request that the BBC show them its report at least 48 hours ahead of publication so they could identify any false information, which the BBC refused to do.

    The campaign said the Vega+ is designed to be used as a handheld but can also be connected to a TV
    Ms Martin then apologised to backers for the delays and said there had been unexpected issues with the console buttons.
    "In November, we identified an improvement we believed was essential to the Vega+ gaming experience," she said at the time.
    "An improvement that would make the feel of the product far better, including a correction in the design of one of the buttons, making it more robust and able to withstand the rigours of extended game-play.
    "We also wanted to make sure we did justice to the Sinclair legacy.
    "This change has caused a brief delay, and we are truly sorry about that, but we needed this time to improve the product, and we have now completed the necessary revisions, and we are delighted to announce that we will ship the first units in February 2017."
    Since then, RCL has suggested it had been unable to respond to some backers' requests because of a business dispute with two former directors.
    And in its last public update, 11 days ago, the company released some technical details about software used by the device.
    'Last chance'
    Many recent comments left by backers on RCL's Indiegogo page, which remains live but has stopped taking funds, are requests for refunds.
    "I don't expect a response. I'm just being polite in letting them know this is their last chance before they have to deal with small claims court," wrote a backer called Paul Brookfield.
    "Please receive this email as written notice of cancellation of my pledge and a request for a refund," wrote Drew Miller.
    "I no longer believe you are capable of providing the product I pledged for in April, considering the drastic number of delays and your lack of communication toward fellow backers."
    It's the same guys as created the original Vega and sounds like they've stirred up a shit storm - they took over £500k from Indie Gogo for a handheld Sinclair and it's been a year now with no updates.

    They're trying to gag the BBC and other media sites from printing stories as they're saying they're going to get beaten up!

    A very bizarre situation and glad I didn't back this one.

  4. #24
    DF VIP Member Bald Bouncer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    9,771
    Thanks
    4,161
    Thanked:        5,595
    Karma Level
    1131

    Default Re: Sinclair Spectrum Vega

    I have been saying for a while crowdfunding was the latest target for scammers, not saying this is a scam or set out with the intention of being a scam but intentional or not it did become one, it is quite a simple process of launching an idea, gaining the funding and spunking it on outrageous salaries for directors then running out of funds and folding the company, I don't know enough about the process of crowdfunding to know if there are any safeguards but it is a simple twist on taking deposits/advanced payments to build holiday complexes etc with flashy brochures and mini models etc to draw in the 'marks' with no intention of ever building them but doing enough to make it look like the project failed and the money was gone.

  5. #25
    DF VIP Member reverend's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    On the couch
    Posts
    2,615
    Thanks
    181
    Thanked:        452
    Karma Level
    402

    Default Re: Sinclair Spectrum Vega

    I've got to admit I've been lucky so far and the few things I have backed all came through unlike many which have disappeared into the ether with folks money - it's interesting this one appears to have gone so tits up even when they had people like Clive Sinclair on board.

    He does sound like quite the lad though:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...ap-dancer.html

    Maybe they've spunked all the money on hookers and beer?

    This one looks like the money will be going towards lawyers rather than into the product which is a shame.

  6. #26
    DF VIP Member Bald Bouncer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    9,771
    Thanks
    4,161
    Thanked:        5,595
    Karma Level
    1131

    Default Re: Sinclair Spectrum Vega

    Quote Originally Posted by reverend View Post
    Maybe they've spunked all the money on hookers and beer?
    Or he could have just wasted it you never know

    2 Thanks given to Bald Bouncer

    cyprus (9th March 2017),  Mystical_2K (9th March 2017)  


Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Similar Threads

  1. Whats your favourite Spectrum game of all time?
    By BFG in forum Old Skool Gaming & Retro
    Replies: 92
    Last Post: 20th September 2006, 09:43 AM
  2. Full Spectrum Warrior
    By SOMAN in forum Microsoft Consoles
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 9th June 2004, 06:41 AM
  3. Spectrum Nostalgia Video
    By biggy7 in forum Funny Pictures
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 24th May 2004, 07:29 PM
  4. The VEGA Brothers (YEAH!)
    By Morph in forum Movie Talk
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 14th January 2003, 10:32 PM
  5. Spectrum or CBM 64 emulator on XBOX
    By adders99 in forum Old Skool Gaming & Retro
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 3rd October 2002, 08:21 AM

Social Networking Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •