The Retro VGS is now the COLECO Chameleon!

[Shadowrunner]

Didn't see this coming, and honestly after the failed IGG campaign I wasn't sure if they would even return, but according to their facebook account they have now partnered with Coleco and changed the name to match!

Now too much info yet but I'm really looking forward to finding out more

Edit:
Here's the press release from their website.

Trabuco Canyon, CA (PR) – December 17, 2015 Video-game industry pioneer COLECO re-enters the market, partnering with Retro Video Game Systems, Inc., to introduce a new, modern-day video-game system called the COLECO Chameleon.

COLECO Chameleon is a versatile new video-game system that serves as a modern day take on the classic game console and will accurately play classic games from the past.  The COLECO Chameleon also has the ability play brand-new games in the 8-, 16- and 32-bit styles, a growing and popular genre in today's game scape.

Chris Cardillo, a partner in COLECO said, "Mark [Thomann] and I are excited to work hand-in-hand with Retro Video Game Systems, Inc. in the launch of the COLECO Chameleon.  It's ironic that a new 'retro' video-game system would actually revolutionize and revitalize the COLECO brand."

And, for the first time in nearly 20 years, the COLECO Chameleon will once again play brand new games on long-lasting, durable cartridges that can be played, traded, and collected for a lifetime.  And all game cartridges will include high quality, plastic clamshell cases with illustrated instruction manuals and game developer liner notes.

Retro Video Game Systems, Inc. President Mike Kennedy adds, "The COLECO Chameleon is a love-letter to all the classic cartridge based gaming systems that came before it and we love the fact it will succeed COLECO's successful Telstar and Colecovision product lines.  It will take gamers and their families back to a simpler time where games were all about great gameplay and fun factor."

The COLECO Chameleon will launch in early 2016 and will also be demonstrated at Toy Fair New York 2016, February 13-16.

[Saturn]

I hadn't been keeping up with the Retro VGS and wasn't aware it had tanked. Good to see them making a return in some fashion. Thanks for posting this, it's been difficult to stay on top of everything

[TrekMD]

Well that certainly is an interesting, and cool, development. 

[zapiy]

Really good luck to the guys. Hope this does not alienate more people though.

[TrekMD]

Why would you think this would alienate folks?  I think having Coleco behind is a nice idea.  It gives the console more credibility, I believe. 

[Shadowrunner]

On the one hand it's good to have a famous name brand attached to it that people have fond memories of, but on the other this isn't the same company that we know from the 80's and most people realize that. This is just a company who bought the name and licenses it out to make money. It may attract some casual fans but most of the naysayers of this project aren't impressed.

The other thing is price. People complained it was too expensive, how is paying for a name brand going to bring that down?

Still looking forward to more info though, it's interesting in any case.

[TrekMD]

Good points.  And the naysayers are already naysaying!

[zapiy]

And remember Coleco is not that huge in Europe or anywhere else other than the States..

I just like the knowledge that Coleco has a great history... So I have some questions.

Would the original Coleco brand have done something like this?

Does this water down the good name of the Coleco as they are essentially backing a cloning device?

[Greyfox]

i agree with all points raised above here. Pricing, marketing and software will be the success or demise of this, I feel with the changing of times and the value of money that I'd suspect production costs would be huge compared to yesteryear tripling the efforts both financially and labour wise, that with it being a huge success in the United States and semi-unknown to the European districts could be the splinter in its foot.

Also many will see this a capital cash in through a company name brand which is never a good thing either, did that Coleco machine they recently bring out sell well? It must off for them to take this on board, even after all the debunking the retro VCS got during its first compaign. I wish them the best of luck with this and hopefully Coleco has the marketing strength to send it over the top, but not so much concerned about the games, rather the pricing on two fronts, the carts , the machine.

[nosweargamer]

While I had some issues with first campaign, I am optimistic about the changes since it seems like they are addressing some of the original concerns. I put a vid together covering what little we know so far including the inclusion of the Coleco name and some changes I noticed in the system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUw1Vytm0M

[Shadowrunner]

Good points.  And the naysayers are already naysaying!

Yes, that they are. Maybe that was the wrong word to use, but my point was that the people who have been complaining the most about this have been saying from the start that the creators of this have had their priorities wrong. The look of the console and games should be the last thing decided on, after you have all the functional design out of the way. Adding a flashy name to it without revealing any specs is just more smoke and mirrors. I hate to agree with them but they have a point.

[TrekMD]

May want to check this out:  Mike Kennedy Breaks Silence About Coleco Chameleon while 3rd Party Developer Stops Talking to Press.

[Saturn]

Pretty disheartening info there. 

[nosweargamer]

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/12/c ... e-console/
I actually found this article a good read. I like the price point goal and explanation.
As for the third party not talking, until we know why, I won't be rushing to judge either side.
It could be a million things. Perhaps developers are required to stay silent until the Toy Fair.
That sounds like general practice for systems that have not been introduced to the public.
Have you ever seen a 3rd party developer deliver news on a system before Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft did?

[TrekMD]

More reading material:  MORE TROUBLE WITH COLECO CHAMELEON SURFACES, REVISIONIST HISTORY SPOTTED.