Ranch
By Sherif Saed,
Monday, January 13, 2020, 11:14 GMT
Ranch
Playdate is still expected to launch in 2020.
By the end of 2019, Play date Creator Panic has released a development update that gives us a brief overview of the progress so far.
The email confirms that processing has not been delayed and Panic will begin pre-orders soon. The device is currently being manufactured, and Panic has adjusted the crank to have "metal-to-metal" contact on the bearings to increase durability. But, in general, the most difficult part is over and the hardware is ready.
Given the unusual nature of Playdate's design, Panic hopes to put the console in the hands of developers as soon as possible to ensure that the console has a rich game library in the future. The first development units will soon be available on the website, and the company will pick some development units to send the hardware.
With that in mind, Panic emphasized that all Playdate consoles will eventually serve as development kits, allowing any curious owner to get involved in Playdate's game development when needed.
When publishing to the public, a limited number of consoles will be available. Later, as Panic increases, Playdate will be reordered. In the same developer article, Panic showed a new protective case design for Playdate that is as neat as the console itself.