Skip to main content

FTDI Chip Announces the Gameduino2

FTDI Chip has announced its new Kickstarter project Gameduino 2 and that its FT800 Embedded Video Engine (EVE) plays a fundamental role in the game adapter. Gameduino 2 will allow users to turn their Arduino units into handheld gaming systems with touch control, headphone audio outputs and more. Read on.

From the Press Release
FTDI Chip has confirmed that its ground-breaking FT800 Embedded Video Engine (EVE) is a key component in an exciting new Kickstarter project - the Gameduino2 game adaptor shield from Excamera. In 2011, the Kickstarter-funded Gameduino made major industry impact by successfully bringing vintage gaming to the popular Arduino platform. Now, with the introduction of Gameduino 2, users will be able to transform their Arduino units into modern handheld gaming systems that feature touch control, 3-axis accelerometers, headphone audio outputs and microSD data storage for game assets. In addition, they will benefit from the shield’s support of next generation graphics via its built-in 4.3-inch display.

The Gameduino 2's graphical capacity, which stems from FTDI Chip’s highly-integrated and easy-to-use FT800 IC, is much greater than that of its predecessor, thereby dramatically enhancing the gaming experience that results. Furthermore, its OpenGL-style command set makes programming far simpler to carry out. It can load JPEGs, support alpha transparency and has a full 32-bit colour pipeline.

 Incorporating a 4-wire touch controller and a single channel audio controller that allows midi-like sound quality, the FT800 EVE graphic controller employs an object-oriented approach (where objects are images, fonts, specific sounds, templates, overlays, etc.). This renders images in a line by line fashion with 1/16th of a pixel resolution, while still maintaining high-quality graphical representation. It means that system designs based on it are a lot more streamlined - requiring fewer supporting components, less board space, a lower power budget and shorter development times.

 “With the EVE concept FTDI Chip is looking to change the way in which people interact with everyday technology, by providing the display, audio and touch functionality needed to create innovative new products, while simultaneously being very cost effective and not placing heavy demands on the developers.” states Fred Dart, CEO and Founder of FTDI Chip. “Gameduino 2 is a prime example of what can be achieved. We were all very pleased to be involved in this project.”

 For further details on Gameduino 2 go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2084212109/gameduino-2-this-time-its-personal

Popular posts from this blog

Blood, Screams, and Southern Nightmares: Inside PV Slaughterhouse’s Reign of Terror in Rainsville, Alabama

If you’re brave enough to step inside a real-life slaughterhouse after dark, PV Slaughterhouse in Rainsville, Alabama, is ready to test your limits. This homegrown haunt isn’t just spooky—it’s southern fried terror at its finest. With $25 tickets at the door, you’re buying entry to an immersive nightmare that proves small-town scares can pack big-time chills. What began as a family-run yard haunt has mutated into one of Alabama’s most notorious horror attractions. Housed inside the former Rainsville Quality Meats building, the walls practically breathe history—and horror. The Tomlinson family, who own and operate the experience, have turned this creepy relic into a blood-soaked maze of screams, strobe lights, and expertly placed scares. The story behind the haunt gives it real grit—you’re not walking through a warehouse pretending to be a slaughterhouse. You’re walking through the real thing. Once you step through the door, the nightmare begins. Actors seem to emerge from the shadows...
Level Up: Read More »

Get Ready, Gamers and Collectors: TCG Con Sand Mountain 2026 is Coming!

  Calling all nerds, geeks, gamers, and collectors! Mark your calendars and clear your schedules because a massive celebration of all things collectible is heading to Alabama. TCG Con Sand Mountain is set to take over the Sand Mountain Park on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, promising a safe and exciting space for enthusiasts of every stripe to come together and celebrate their passions. Event Details at a Glance Date: Saturday, March 21st, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM Location: Sand Mountain Park, 1325 S.M.P.A. Albertville, AL 35950 Space: 30,000 sq ft of collectibles heaven Entry: $10 (Kids 12 & under are FREE!) Facebook Event: TCG Con Sand Mountain A Universe of Categories Whether you are a veteran TCG player or a casual fan of pop culture, there is something for everyone. The convention boasts an impressive array of categories, including: Trading Card Games: Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering (MtG), Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Flesh and Blood, Digimon, Gundam, Dragon Ball Z,...
Level Up: Read More »

Vault 256: Step Into a Post-Apocalyptic Paradise in Alabama

If you’ve ever spent hours wandering the radioactive ruins of the Mojave or the Commonwealth, you’ve probably wondered what it would actually feel like to live inside a Vault-Tec facility. In Madison, Alabama, that fantasy has become a reality. Vault 256 is not just an Airbnb; it’s an immersive, 1,500-square-foot love letter to the Fallout franchise. From the iconic yellow-and-blue color scheme to the meticulously crafted industrial decor, this "Wasteland Escape" offers fans a chance to live out their vault-dweller dreams without the actual threat of a nuclear winter. The Ultimate Gamer’s Retreat Designed for "gamers, geeks, and post-apocalyptic wanderers," Vault 256 comfortably accommodates up to 12 guests. The property features:  3 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms: Each room is themed with "grit and charm," ensuring you never break immersion. High-Tech Gaming Amenities: The living area includes multiple consoles and TVs, but the centerpiece is a custom gaming ...
Level Up: Read More »