History of video games/Platforms/BL6
History
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Launch
[edit | edit source]Announced by the Bud-Light brand of Anheuser-Busch on November 17th, 2020, a single BL6 console was put up for auction to raise money for the Change is On the Menu charity program.[1][2][3][4] According to some reviewers, a small number of BL6 exist[5] instead of just a single console.
Legacy
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Despite the limited production of the device, the console possess a number of unique properties that make it notable in gaming history. While the BL6 essentially exists as a charitable marketing stunt, the BL6 used a number of technologies rarely seen in game consoles. In particular, it is one of the few consoles to primarily use a projector, similar to the 1980's consoles such as the Proscreen. Furthermore the console incorporates a drink holder that regulates temperature, similar to the chicken chamber of the later KFConsole.
Technology
[edit | edit source]Compute
[edit | edit source]The BL6 is powered by a Intel Core i7-1065G7.[5] The i7-1065G7 is a 64 bit mobile processor with four cores and eight threads with eight megabytes of cache and made on a 10 nanometer process with a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 watts.[6] By default the processor is clocked at 1.30 gigahertz and turbos to 3.90 gigahertz[6], but it is unknown what clock speed the processor in the BL6 is configured to typically use.
The Intel Core i7-1065G7 includes an Intel Iris Plus Graphics GPU with a base clock of 300 megahertz and can turbo boost to a clock of 1.10 gigahertz.[6]
The BL6 has 16 gigabytes of RAM.[5]
Hardware
[edit | edit source]The primary display is a built in Asus ZenBeam projector, which projects a 720p resolution 500 lumen image.[5][7]
For cooling internals, two fans are concealed in false cans in the six pack design of the console.[5]
The console has twin aluminum beer coozies built into the unit with active peltier thermoelectric cooling and polystyrene insulation to keep beer cold.[1][7]
The BL6 battery can power the system for two hours.[7]
Buttons on the bottom rim of the console include power, +, -, and brightness.[7] The BL6 appears to have HDMI out, two USB ports, and a power in jack that takes a C7/C8 coupler.[7]
All hardware is enclosed in the form factor of a six pack of beer.[8] Ventilation holes are arranged in groups of two wide and three high like a six pack.[7] The chassis of the console was 3D printed.[7]
Software
[edit | edit source]The BL6 runs Windows 10 as its operating system[5], with the custom BL(OS) or BLOS interface running on top of it.[7]
Controllers
[edit | edit source]The BL6 sports two BL6 branded 8Bitdo N30 Pro+ controllers, which two compartments on the console can hold when not in use.[5]
Game library
[edit | edit source]Four third party games were shipped with the BL6, and two exclusive games were developed for the system.
Flashlight Freeze Tag
[edit | edit source]A BL6 exclusive game about hitting other players with the BL6 projector beam.[7]
Six Puck
[edit | edit source]An BL6 exclusive air hockey game themed around Bud Light.[7]
References
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- ↑ a b c d e "BL6: The Coolest* Console Ever". Shop Beer Gear. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ "Bud Light Releases Its Own 6-Pack Gaming Console". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ "Bud Light Announces Its Own Next-Gen Console, And It Looks Incredible". GameSpot. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ "Bud Light put a PC and a projector inside a six-pack, for charity". Engadget. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ a b c d e f g "Meet the BL6, Bud Light's Game Console". PCMAG. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ a b c "Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7 Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz) Product Specifications". ark.intel.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k "Bud Light BL6 Gaming Console". www.budlight.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ↑ Stephen, Bijan (17 November 2020). "Bud Light made a video game console that also cools two beers". The Verge. Retrieved 22 November 2020.