History of video games/Platforms/Mignon

Development
The console was developed by Olaf Val of Kassel, Germany.

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

The Mignon Game Kit was definitely publicly available by 2005.

A Mignon Game Kit 2.0 was later launched. 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. Workshops for these models occurred from September 2009 to at least May 2015.

Legacy
The system was noted for fostering a connection between the user and the device.

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

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

Compute
The Mignon uses an Atmel ATMEGA8-16PI microcontroller. This micro-controller included an 8-bit computer.

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

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

A piezo speaker is used for audio.

Games & Software

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