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History of video games/Platforms/Mignon

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History

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Historic Kassel, Germany in 2006. Kassel is the provenance of the Mignon.

Development

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The console was developed by Olaf Val of Kassel, Germany.[1][2]

Launch

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The website of the Mignon Game Kit suggests a launch date of 2004.[3] However workshops were held from late 2003 to 2007.[2] Workshops cost about 39 euros.[2]

The Mignon Game Kit was definitely publicly available by 2005.[1]

A Mignon Game Kit 2.0 was later launched.[3] This console was very similar, but offered an overall improved design, as well as an upgrade to use an actual speaker, and an improved ATmega-238 micro-controller among other upgrades.[4] Workshops for these models occurred from September 2009 to at least May 2015.[5]

Legacy

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The system was noted for fostering a connection between the user and the device.[6]

Technology

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DIY

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The console was meant to be built by the end user. The build time was estimated at around 1 day for workshop participants.[2][1]

Models

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Three variants of the console were designed for different use cases. An "Economy" design used the least number of parts.[2] There was also a "Basic" model with quality of life improvements such as a battery box and micro-controller socket.[2] Finally there was a "Creativ" model with additional sensors and programming tools.[2]

Compute

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The Mignon uses an Atmel ATMEGA8-16PI microcontroller.[2] This micro-controller included an 8-bit computer.[7]

All models included a 9 pin D-SUB connector.[2] "Creativ" Models included a PonyProg set.[2]

Hardware

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A LED Dotmatrix is used as display, with a resolution of 5 vertical LEDs by 6 horizontal LEDs.[2]

A piezo speaker is used for audio.[2]

Games & Software

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  • Dot Game - The only 3rd party game listed on the official website, programmed by Jingbo Wen.[2]
  • mignonLoop - Music Software.[2]
  • Min Pong - Pong Clone.[2]
  • BitShift - Surfing game.[2]
  • Maze Diver - Ship avoidance game.[2]

Notes

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Mignon is French for cute.[8]

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  •  
    An ATmega8 microcontroller, similar to that used by the Mignon. (Note that this is a slightly different model then the one used by the Mignon)
  •  
    Die shot of an ATmega8 microcontroller, similar to that used by the Mignon.
  •  
    Pinout of an ATmega8 microcontroller, similar to that used by the Mignon. (Note that this is a slightly different model then the one used by the Mignon)

References

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  1. ↑ a b c "Mignon DIY game kit". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2005-04-07-mignon-diy-game-kit.html. 
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "mignon game kit". www.olafval.de. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  3. ↑ a b "mignon game kit". www.olafval.de. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Mignon Game Kit". Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Mignon Game Kit". Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "Mignon game kit". We Make Money Not Art. 7 April 2005. https://we-make-money-not-art.com/migon_game_kit/. 
  7. ↑ "ATmega8". www.microchip.com. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "mignon". Wiktionary. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
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