History of video games/Platforms/WOWCube

Development
The concept for the system originated in 2016. The system was developed by a startup in San Rafael, California, which was spearheaded by Savva and Ilya Osipov.

Preorders opened on January 11, 2021. The number of preorders for the device reached 155,000 by August 30, 2021.



CubiOS 0.1 v0.7.0-dirty was built February 7 2022.

By March 31st, 2022 an SDK for the system was available to developers.

The initial cost of the system was $250.

Technology
Because the WOWCube uses a fairly unorthodox formfactor and user interface, it's underlying electric and compute subsystems are also relatively distinct from other consoles of the era.

Compute
The system uses 8 independently and autonomously operating computers, each with their own CPU, that communicate through 96 of a total 144 neodymium ball magnetic and small current connections.

Individual Module Computer Specifications
Every module is based on a STM32F405 microcontroller, which contains an ARM Cortex-M4 architecture 32-bit processor clocked at 168 megahertz. Each module has 192 of main RAM, and 8 megabytes of flash storage.

Software
The system runs a custom operating system "CubiOS", which is a name shared by the company that developed the system. The official SDK encouraged developers to use the "Pawn" programming language for game logic.

Hardware


The system resembles a 2x2 simplified Rubik's Cube, incorporating screens on external faces of the device.

The system used 24 OLED displays, with each module sporting 3 displays. Early prototypes instead used "IPS TFT" panels. These early prototype panels had a resolution of 240x240 pixels, were sized at 1.56" and had a Gorilla Glass protected front.

For input the system sported an accelerometer, as well as a 6-axis gyroscope.

The system is powered with 5 volt electricity at 3 amps. The system charges via a USB-C port and battery life lasts between 2-5 hours. Every module contained a battery with a capacity of 540 miliamp hours.

The system weighed in at 410 g, and measured "68 mm".

Hardware schematics were meant to be published, with the intent of allowing individuals to build their own non-commercial systems.

Games

 * Space Invaders Cubed