Hey,

As you know, we don’t have a link cable, or a suitable connector available for the VB. There’s several ways to make a cable that works, but in the end, it’s mostly ugly hacks for development/prototyping. I’ve been trying to come up with a way to make a quality cable that would just plug in… but so far have been unsuccessful.

So… it got me thinking… how about just making a proper cable? I contacted a custom part manufacturer (who I’ve used parts from in the past), and they said they could do it, but of course wouldn’t be “cheap”. I sort of based my design thoughts on the SNES A/V connector, which includes a plastic shell with crimp pins. So, I found some crimp pins which should work, but I didn’t have any way to make a 3D model of the plastic shell.

Well, of course I asked Hedgetrimmer (our resident 3D modeling expert), and he created a GREAT model of a plastic shell to house the pins. With that, I was able to verify with the MFG that it could be made, as well as get an estimate for price.

So, now here’s the question. They were right… it’s not cheap. A complete link cable would cost about $40, since the quantity would be so low. At this price, how many would be interested (and how many)? Would anyone want just the connector/pins?

There’d probably only be about 50 cables made, and this would probably be the only run, since I’m assuming the demand would be low. I don’t mind investing the money (and probably losing quite a bit on this project), since I think it’s a very worthwhile project… but, if I’m the only one that has any interest in it, there’s no point in even considering it further.

But, IMO this seems like a good time to pursue this, since homebrew is continually advancing, and I think linked homebrew has been held down by lack of link cable. Also, I assume some will be buying the new Flashboy, even though they already have an old Flashboy… so with two flash carts, why not have a cable to link the systems?

Of course, if there’s an unanticipated large interest in this, the price would come down… but we’re a pretty small community, and the homebrew crowd is really the only market for this.

Thanks,
DogP

Hedgetrimmer wrote:

DogP wrote:
it looks like 18mm x 6mm x 6mm would be fine, though I can’t say 100% for sure until I actually get one built.

Ah i didn’t think we were doing a micro size cable for your 1:10 scaled VB, just having a dig, its cm not mm I hope you mean…….

LOL! Yes… cm, not mm. Sorry, I’ve been doing too many dimensions in mm lately 😛 .

DogP

VirtualJockey wrote:
I vote for sealing the link cables in a can. 😛

You know… that’s not actually a bad idea. Well… THAT is a terrible idea, but you might be onto something. There may be a commonly available container that’d work great for this. I don’t know what that would be, but I’ll keep my eyes open 😉 .

DogP

DogP wrote:

VirtualJockey wrote:
I vote for sealing the link cables in a can. 😛

You know… that’s not actually a bad idea. Well… THAT is a terrible idea, but you might be onto something. There may be a commonly available container that’d work great for this. I don’t know what that would be, but I’ll keep my eyes open 😉 .

DogP

Eat a WHOLE bunch of nuts or pringles chips. Something with with a plastic cap without a company logo on it. Then just paste some labels on with glue-stick. 😀

This approach may be too “ghetto” for such an expensive cable though.
Anything is better than nothing. Even a plain white box with a small sticker on it is better than a loose cable.

I’m very much a collector, but the homebrew community seems to mostly be…not collectors. As cool as a professional box would be, I have fears that it would make like 10 people really happy, and add $5 to each order for everyone else that just doesn’t give a hoot.
If you want to make fancy packaging, making it an option is my advice.

Just a quick update… we’ve finalized the design (Hedgetrimmer did an AMAZING job on the model), and I’ve placed the order for the connectors. The first prototypes should be ready in a few weeks. I’ll post an update and some pics when they arrive 🙂 .

DogP

Is it just me that think the link cable is a bad idea?
I mean there is harldy any 2 player games at all

Maybe people should make a game that has like 10+ mini games in it but all are only 2 player mini games

I’m not sure I see your point. How is making a link cable a “bad idea”, because there’s few 2P games? I think one of the biggest reasons we don’t have 2P games is because hardly anyone has link cables.

Actually… I’m probably forgetting someone, but I can’t remember anyone else that even has a link cable… so without a link cable, it’s pretty hard/pointless to write/test linked games. Has anyone else written 2P games/demos/apps?

On the other hand… it may be a “bad idea” for you to buy one, since there’s hardly any 2P games, and you won’t be using the cable to write any of your own.

DogP

akumie wrote:
Is it just me that think the link cable is a bad idea?
I mean there is harldy any 2 player games at all

Maybe people should make a game that has like 10+ mini games in it but all are only 2 player mini games

So if a set of 2P mini games was to be made would a cable not be needed to test this, chicken egg type scenario occuring i think.

Also sorry Akumie but man you left yourself open wide for this one…..

You also need a friend to play 2P games with, so yeah maybe it is a bad idea for you to buy a cable. 😀

jeje well 3D BattleSnake is a 2P game so there must have been some way to actually make the link cable before

Just saying that if you made like 10+ 2P mini games and then showed of some some gameplay demo then more people might want to buy your link cable

Hedgetrimmer wrote:

So if a set of 2P mini games was to be made would a cable not be needed to test this, chicken egg type scenario occuring i think.

akumie wrote:
jeje well 3D BattleSnake is a 2P game so there must have been some way to actually make the link cable before

Yes Akumi, people hacked their own cables.

akumie wrote:
Just saying that if you made like 10+ 2P mini games and then showed of some some gameplay demo then more people might want to buy your link cable

As Hedgetrimmer said, Chicken or the egg.
Well Akumi, if you’d like to development some 2 player games I’m sure it would help link cable sales. Wait, but what’s the point in all the effort because not many people have link cables, right?

The cable project is an expensive specialty item, and I have my doubts that DogP is doing this for the money. The cables will sell out, and in a year or two the people that bought the cables will be enjoying 2p bliss. The cable sells it self to the audience that’s interested.

VirtualJockey wrote:
As Hedgetrimmer said, Chicken or the egg.
Well Akumi, if you’d like to develop some 2 player games I’m sure it would help link cable sales. Wait, but what’s the point in all the effort because not many people have link cables, right?

The cable project is an expensive specialty item, and I have my doubts that DogP is doing this for the money. The cables will sell out, and in a year or two the people that bought the cables will be enjoying 2p bliss. The cable sells itself/themselves to the audience that’s interested.

fixed. I was on the phone when I was typing that. 😡

Put me down for a cable too, please.

I’m really happy to see that this project is goining to come out.

Iff its possible i want when its ready and is goining for sale about 2 or 3 boxed versions.

mawa wrote:
I’m really happy to see that this project is goining to come out.

Iff its possible i want when its ready and is goining for sale about 2 or 3 boxed versions.

I would like to outbid mawa on one of those cables. 😀

Is this project still going to happen? i’m still intrested .

Ps : sorry for bumping this old tread

Long story… but yes, it’s still happening.

DogP

oke thats good tho here that its still going to happen

you can put me down for one also. If possible, please send me a PM when payment is needed. I don’t come here too often.

Hi guys, I’ve not been on the forums for a while but I’m back and around a bit more now.
I saw Hedgetrimmer a couple of months ago and he mentioned this project to me. After reading through the thread I would like to put my name down for a cable as well.

Hope everyone is well, it’s good to be back.

If this project is still in the works, I would gladly pay $40 for a cable. Just tell me when and where and the money will be sent.

Thanks,
Dave

Still anticipating this cable, DogP. 🙂