New Development Release: Meet the "VM2"!
VM2 IS LIVE ON INDIEGOGO
VM2 is now under "InDemand" for those who missed the initial campaign launch.
Just select and claim the VM2 perk that suits your needs!
VM2 IS LIVE ON INDIEGOGO
VM2 is now under "InDemand" for those who missed the initial campaign launch.
Just select and claim the VM2 perk that suits your needs!
One of the greatest Dreamcast assets, was for sure its unique memory card, the VMU: Part memory card, part second screen accessory, the VMU was also a mini-game console with its own small library of mini-games. It wasn’t perfect but it was such a cool idea at the time.
Over the years, the VMU drew much of the community interest, and either being a developer or a casual gamer, we all loved the VMU - and hated at the same time! The reason was the cons of such a cool device - keeping it from being perfect - and which now seem huge, 24 years later(!):
1. The 2x coin-battery system, which depletes quite fast
2. The constant beeping as the batteries die and the VMU keeps restarting
3. The lack of power-off mode. The VMU supported only 'sleep' mode, resulting in constant battery consumption
4. The low-resolution, monochrome LCD
5. The lack of the LCD screen backlight
6. The small memory size of 128Kb. Even though Sega (and also 3rd parties) released larger memory cards, they all were actually a ripped VMU, lacking the LCD screen and supported only memory functionality.
As a huge Dreamcast fan, and being a developer, I've always been thinking of how cool would be if all these could somehow be corrected!
Now, I can proudly present my latest development and early prototype that raised from such an attempt: the "VM2"!
Over the years, the VMU drew much of the community interest, and either being a developer or a casual gamer, we all loved the VMU - and hated at the same time! The reason was the cons of such a cool device - keeping it from being perfect - and which now seem huge, 24 years later(!):
1. The 2x coin-battery system, which depletes quite fast
2. The constant beeping as the batteries die and the VMU keeps restarting
3. The lack of power-off mode. The VMU supported only 'sleep' mode, resulting in constant battery consumption
4. The low-resolution, monochrome LCD
5. The lack of the LCD screen backlight
6. The small memory size of 128Kb. Even though Sega (and also 3rd parties) released larger memory cards, they all were actually a ripped VMU, lacking the LCD screen and supported only memory functionality.
As a huge Dreamcast fan, and being a developer, I've always been thinking of how cool would be if all these could somehow be corrected!
Now, I can proudly present my latest development and early prototype that raised from such an attempt: the "VM2"!
The VM2 aims at being a from-scratch remake/reproduction of the original VMU.
Externally keeping it as closer to the original design as possible, but internally with new electronics and upgrading its original functionality:
- New monochrome LCD with backlight : Switchable from the user if desired, for battery saving
- Higher screen resolution: the user will be able to select between original (48x32), or 2x scaled (96x64)
- micro SD storage : with the use of an SD card, the user will have almost infinite space to store all virtual VMUs. This refers to either VMUs with normal save data, or VMUs with mini-games. They can be organized into folders (i.e. per game) or just put everything in the root of the SD. The current VMU file to be used will be selected from the VM2 menu. If the selected VMU file contains a mini-game, then it can be played - like with an original VMU.
- Internal storage of 1x VMU : In case that an SD card is not used, the VM2 will still be operational with its internal storage of 1x 128Kb space. In case an SD card is used, then both storages will be available to the user. Again, the current VMU page (or file) to be used will be selected from the VM2 menu.
- Embedded High-capacity LiPo battery : This will replace the 2x coin-batteries and provide longer operation time
- External charging : The VM2 will charge either from its USB-C port, or from the controller while playing
- PC connectivity : The VM2 will be able to connect to a PC from its USB-C port
- Memory management : Connecting to a PC and using a custom GUI, the user will be able to backup/restore the internal (1x) storage. In case a micro SD card is used, then it will be simply managed from any OS explorer for copying/moving/organizing its contents and files. All files will be in the format of a full VMU dumb (.bin, .vmu) - compatible with almost all existing software and emulators (i.e. VMU Explorer, ReDream, etc.).
UPDATE: Based on the invaluable community support & feedback, here's a list of new additions that I was asked for:
- Original cap reproduction : The VM2 will come with our favorite(!) original protective cap
- Beeper support : The user will have the option to enable/disable the original audio beeping
- Battery connector: The VM2 will make use of common JST battery connector for easily remove & replace
- DreamEye support: VM2-GUI feature to extract DreamEye camera photos from save files and store as JPEG
- Language support: The user will be able to select between English(US) and Japanese(JP) language
Please check below, the photo gallery with the developments and prototype, so far.
Progress & prototype as of 30/7/2022
Progress & prototype as of 30/4/2022
Please feel free to leave any comment or express your interest, as this project will need the community support for putting into production.