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The long-teased Creative Labs Sound Blaster Re:Imagine Kickstarter has launched (and already met its goal)! So what the heck is this thing? it's a physical 'hub' that you can reconfigure with different components including switches, sliders, dials and a tiny screen. It runs Linux and can operate apps like the SoundBlaster parrot and a DOS emulator without needing to connect to your PC. They say:
Re:Imagine is a modular audio hub that brings all your audio devices together in one place. Switch connections instantly across any input, and any output.
Customize your setup with programmable modular controls. Enjoy high resolution audio playback via a powerful DAC and amp. And you have superuser access to hardware, to create and run your own apps on it.
More than a sound card, it is your hub, your control deck, and your creative playground.There are plenty of additional details on the pledge page and a comprehenive FAQ. I'm not sure it's anything anyone was specifically looking for but it does look like the sort of thing that would be fun for hobbyists. The AI branding for the apps is a turn off but the details make it pretty clear it's marketing speak.
But what about Wing Commander? It's not included but the original game does show up all over the marketing! It seems like WC is promoting the fact that the Re:Imagine has an onboard DOS emulator ("Retro PC Gaming via a DOS emulator running on-device") which you can play standalone on the tiny screen. Necessary? No. The ideal way to play Wing Commander? No. Pretty neat? Yes! It even kicks off their promotional video (CIC mirror
We also see Wing Commander in some of the campaign graphics. It shows up in two of the animations on the campaign page, embedded below. (And because we're completionists, here are the slightly different versions included in campaign emails: one, two).
There is one unquestionably great aspect of the campaign, though: if it raises $250,000, everyone gets a stuffed parrot!
