Spartan (console)

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Not to be confused with the Dreamcast 2 project, or the Sega game Spartan: Total Warrior

Spartan

Prototype model of the Spartan Console with its controller
Also known as	Spartan Console
Developer	Spartan Console Team
Manufacturer	Unknown
Type	Home video game console
Media	Blu-ray, DVD, CD, Digital Distribution
Operating system	SpartanOS
CPU	Intel Core
Memory	16GB DDR4
Storage	1TB HDD
Removable storage	VMU Compatibility
Display	Up to 4K (2160p)
Graphics	4GB Nvidia Geforce GTX
Input	Controller
Controller input	Spartan Console Controller
Backward compatibility	Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, Game Gear (via software emulation)(proposed)
Website	Spartan Console

Search Spartan (console) on Amazon.

Project Spartan

"Spartan" is a proposed current generation Sega console developed, designed, and built by a team originally based in Cape Town simply known as "Spartan Console" and is aimed to be acquired by Sega to develop, manufacture, and distribute. Announced on October 4, 2017, the Spartan is said to have 16 Gigabytes of DDR4 RAM, a 4 Gigabyte GeForce GTX and a 1 Terabyte Hard Disk Drive according to their official website. And, according to their website, "Our aim is to be backwards compatible with previous gen Sega games via an online store." the Spartan Console also has a custom open sourced Linux based operating system called "SpartanOS" with sharing options for screenshots and streaming, and a planned online community network. Spartan Console, if ever publicly released, would compete with the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia.

Spartan Console is often seen as fake due to the fact that Sega had stated that they will not be producing any more home gaming consoles since they discontinued the Dreamcast in 2001, and some news updates posted by Spartan Console have some spelling and grammatical errors, with some updates taking months, or years to come out. The very first news post says that "On a bimonthly basis we’ll bring you news on the hardware and software that’s running on the Spartan". saying "bimonthly" made many spectators to doubt. Spartan Console has also posted pictures of their built prototype model, their custom made gaming controller, and 3D renderings of the finished console. The 3D renderings are often claimed to be fake or photoshopped, due to the skepticism of fans and critics. Spartan Console has released a video on YouTube showcasing the Alpha version of SpartanOS, which shows its menu layout, playing time, recently played games, and its backwards compatibility for older Sega consoles; like the Sega Saturn games: Sonic R, Mega Man X4, and Panzer Dragoon. As well as the Genesis hit, Streets of Rage—though presented on-camera is Japanese branding, Bare Knuckle.

History

Spartan Console was introduced on October 4th of 2017 as a current-generation gaming console that would be pitched to Sega to manufacture and distribute. The Spartan Console team has said that they do not affiliate with the Dreamcast 2 project and the Sega United team. The team also claims they are developing an open world Sonic the Hedgehog title currently called "Sonic 4K" which they say is a temporary title, to showcase the power of the console to Sega. The head of the team wants to present their console when the prototype is ready to give to Sega so they can consider manufacturing the console.

On March, 2018, the Spartan developers posted on their website that their office is in Cape Town, South Africa, and explained that their home is dealing with "mass civil unrest", and the team needs to be relocated, therefore slowing down further progress of Spartan Console development and news updates. By April, they posted on Twitter that they are moving to the United Kingdom.

After more than two years since their then-last post in April 2018, the creator of Spartan Console posted a new statement on September 19, 2020. Saying that momentum on the project had slowed down due to “a few reasons: moving the project across the world; members leaving and personal life events.“ As well that, “the mistake from our side was not communicating this with people that are/were interested in the project. That’s where you deserve an apology, we’re sorry and will improve communication about updates and post them more frequently.” In response to the absence, the post also states that from then on, more updates will be given on a “biannual road map.” In that same post, there is an updated controller design.

Hardware

Design

The overall design of the prototype console is a black matte plastic, with two USB ports in the front and a neon red glowing light in the front and along the top, which is said to have interchangeable color settings in the system software. Along the sides are the heat vents, and in the back of the system is the power adapter, Ethernet, and display outputs similar to a home computer. On the front, there is an engraving of the Spartan console logo in smoothed plastic, being the orange hexagon in the shape of a Spartan helmet.

On the back of the machine, there is a DC input, Display port, HDMI, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, one USB C port, headphone jack, microphone jack, and a PDIF Optical output.

Internals

Spartan is proposed to be powered by an Intel Core CPU, and a 4GB GeForce GTX GPU, along with 16 Gigabytes of DDR4 memory and 1 Terabyte of internal storage. It is unknown if the console has any kind of APU, custom, or semi-custom processors like the current Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Updates have also claimed that the Spartan team is reworking internal hardware to accommodate the updating power of computer processors, with an example from “MRTsquared Productions” on YouTube being the possible Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, implying that the console could potentially have Ray-tracing graphics.

Controller

The Spartan Console controller is custom built with a black matte cover, and Spartan Console have said in a news post "Because of this finish, you can still fortunately hold on to the controller even if your hands are sweaty as hell."

Pictured to the side is a redesigned Spartan Console controller with the community heavily-requested six face buttons, which they posted on their website on April 29, 2018. The controller also sports a D-pad, two shoulder buttons, two analog thumb-sticks, two triggers, a "Turbo Button", Start and Select buttons, and a home button. At the top, the controller also sports four pegs. The controller has, “rumble motors,” “50-hour battery life,” and a “7-10 meter (22-32 feet) bluetooth range”. Spartan Console claims that there will also be white and black finishes, and an LED display. A common request amongst supporters is added VMU support; when a six-button controller concept was posted, it said, "An alternative method to implement VMU compatibility for the Dreamcast." In the same post, it's written that "Considered features for the controller" include: "Update the layout of the Back / Select button to allow space for an LED screen (this can significantly impact battery life)", and "an alternative method to implement VMU compatibility for the Dreamcast."

On September 19, 2020, an update was posted about a new controller design. It was posted that, “Last week a new prototype controller was received from our manufacturer. The build quality isn’t up to standard right now but it feels really good holding it.” The new controller is smaller, and more resembles a Sega Saturn controller. It features a D-pad, dual analog sticks, six face buttons, two bumpers, and home button. As well as two buttons above the home button which are not labeled. This controller also hears a strong resemblance to a controller made for Switch and PC by a third party, called Geeklin, which had been around for earlier, according to Amazon, since June.

Software and Services

Spartan Console uses a semi-open sourced, Linux based operating system called "SpartanOS" which has the power to play Spartan games from a disc drive, use emulators for its backwards compatibility features, and can connect to an online gaming network with friends and download games.

Games

Spartan Console has been developing a Sonic the Hedgehog demo title in 4K resolution entitled "Sonic 4K" to show the power of Spartan. It is unknown how many game titles have been developed, or are currently being developed for the Spartan.

Independent game support

The Spartan Console has also been open to indie developers through their website, where game developers can submit their game title or app to run on Spartan. Games developed for Spartan need to be able to run on Linux, namely their custom SpartanOS. However currently, lack of updates about hardware, software, and lack of development hardware prevents game developers from being able to create and optimize games and apps for the Spartan.

Backwards compatibility

One of the Spartan's core features is its ability to play games developed for previous Sega consoles going as far back as the Master System through software emulation. Spartan Console claims that the “Our aim is to be backwards compatible with previous gen Sega games via an online store.”

Controversies

Although it is noted that many saw Spartan Console as a fake due to the camera used for the photographs, and Sega's announcement of the Dreamcast's discontinuation. There are other people that see Spartan console differently, regarding personal goals that also involve returning the Sega brand to making consoles.

Project Dream

In 2015, an online petition on the petitioning website, change.org, was created to support "Dreamcast 2", also known as "Project Dream", a fan project to bring Sega back into the console market. A trailer was released featuring a CG model of the console and the controller―which resembles an Xbox 360 controller. Jason Schreier from Kotaku stated, "Well, there’s a fan campaign, run by a group of Sega devotees who launched a change.org petition earlier this year in hopes of convincing the Japanese publisher to release an HD supporting limited edition of the Dreamcast. The campaign, organized by a handful of people including Sega fans Ben Plato and Patrick Lawson, has a Facebook group called “Dreamcast Revival” with 882 members". The goal of the online petition was to gain 35,000 online signatures to promote "Dreamcast 2." However, the majority of the audience showed little support. On April 23, 2017, the petition closed, with only 33,821 signatures collected.

When Spartan Console had announced their project, on their website, Chris has stated “The Spartan console is a completely new project built from scratch and is not run by anyone that was involved in Project Dream.” Followed by, “Fortunately, the creators of Project Dream have been kind enough to help get word out about the Spartan console. We all share the same passion and love for Sega.” But, change.org edited the Project Dream petition to promote the Spartan console with the same goal.

The petition is another reason as to why some believe that Spartan Console will not be approved of by Sega or succeed in any market in; some even thing the Spartan team are the same people who made Project Dream. In early February 2018, the number of signatures necessary had risen from 35,000 to 50,000. Then, just a few days later, rose again to 75,000 signatures. Eventually, the petition had also closed. Out of the new goal of 75,000 signatures, the online petition made it to 57,354 people who signed.

Absence

Come June 2, 2018, Spartan Console sent a message to several supporters via Messenger "We're not dead. We're working to get a 4K console". Later, on August 14, 2018, a message was posted on the change.org petition. The message states "After lengthy negotiations with Sega Japan and long meetings, we can confirm that we are co-working on something very special. Did I say special? You got it." Five days later, Spartan console posted on Twitter a reminder saying "2 days left until Shenmue I&II comes out on Steam". It had nothing to do with the project, but it at least let their supporters on Twitter know that they are still up and active. On September 10, 2018, Spartan Console posted on Facebook, a black screen with the text "The assembly of our new remote starts today. See y'all soon with a big update." and remained silent for two years.

Notes

The Spartan Console developing team does not have an official name. Rather, they are simply known as "Spartan Console team". Spartan Console is a proposal, its currently a prototype model and not fully developed and built, and will not be publicly released until more details are shown about deals with Sega. Currently, the only person that is actively posting official updates to the Spartan Console website is an account simply called "Chris L", and it is unknown how many people are also working on the Spartan Console project.

External links

• Official website

References

This article "Spartan (console)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Spartan (console). Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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