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I have covered and written quite a lot about Dreamcast and any hopes for a Dreamcast 2 in the past. Even so, I still have to say that the drama surrounding Project Dream beat everything that I´ve ever written about with ease…And shortly after my interview with Joanne Freeman, Bertie Wiseman and Ben Plato. Things started to go down hills for Project Dream (and fast!).

As Type O Negative´s Peter Steele would have said “The dream is dead”.

In the matter of fact, just recently I was informed by Bertie Wiseman that Project Dream has been shutdown for good:

Project Dream is dead, but “hopefully” the Dreamcast 2 Reloaded project will take over where Project Dream failed.

And sadly enough, I can´t say that I was surprised to hear that. As the project just got worse and worse over time (I talked about this with Wiseman a couple of days ago, and the drama is still very much alive on the Internet…). However, there “might” still be some hope left, as Bertie Wiseman and Ben Ess kicked-off their Dreamcast Reloaded project not so long ago:

“Hi Everyone. I am the original founder of Project Dream and it’s petition. After Project Dream was shut down, myself and a few others have decided to rebuild and are now going by the name “Dreamcast Reloaded”. Sit tight and very soon we will be sharing an update and something in the flesh very soon.” – Ben Ess, Dreamcast Reloaded

I get the idea behind Dreamcast Reloaded, but will the SEGA fans give the project a chance? Since they haven´t forgotten about the Project Dream fiasco.

In the matter of fact, there is even a change.org petition page for Dreamcast Reloaded now:

“We wish to bring back the Dreamcast. Not just for the fans who loved it so much the first time around, but to give it to a whole new generation of gamers. This will be the Dreamcast 2, with HD video output and the ability to play games from the internal storage. In signing this petition and pledging your support, each and every one of you will enable us to show our support in numbers in order to secure the high-end hardware we require, the publicity we need and Sega’s overall approval for our finalized prototype. The new console should have a new but similar design, wifi, wireless controllers (4 maximum) 1080p or 4k true HD upscaling with a HDMI output and an internal Hard Drive for storage plus many more exciting features.

The console will have a custom OS built for it, and the ability to connect online to a Dreamcast Classics Store to purchase and download classic Dreamcast and other Sega titles in digital form and be played directly from the Hard Drive. We also have plans for possible backwards compatibility but none of this will come to fruition unless we have your support. NOTE: The picture shown does not depict the final product. This is clearly for demonstration purposes only. When we have a final design and prototype we will replace the current picture with the actual product. We need your support!” – The Dreamcast Reloaded team, via change.org

Even so, The Dreamcast Reloaded project has a lot to prove. Especially since Project Dream ended up as a big fiasco. And that´s most likely why fans of SEGA and the Dreamcast console have already started to doubt and question the Dreamcast Reloaded project as well:

“You can say that several times but what does it mean? How long ago was project dream really shut down and we didn’t know about it? Do you still have the complete UI? are you still working on the prototype? Do you still have contact with sega? You need to answer these questions and more if you’re gonna reinvent the project. Otherwise, i just smell bs”

“Sounds like a load of crap. I see no organization or structure to this its the equivalent of them saying “hey we want a sequel to the fifth element. Which movies do you want sequels to?” What exactly are you trying to achieve? How do you plan on doing it? What part do we play in these plans? What if any progress has been made so far?”

Will Dreamcast Reloaded crash or fly? Only time will tell.

And I understand where they are coming from, and like I said. Dreamcast Reloaded has a lot to prove and a lot of questions to answer. Nevertheless, I still hope that the project will become a success. As I really like the idea of “a budget Dreamcast 2 system for a new generation of Gamers“. Well, time will tell I guess. However, I did notice that Bertie Wiseman did post a respond comment via Facebook on the critique aimed towards the Dreamcast Reloaded project:

“Funny really we haven’t asked for any money or backing for this movement. You have all seen interface that was made. Sadly we can’t use that anymore. I travelled all way upto braintree to do skype interview with twitinfinite. I live along South Coast part the UK. That was 5 hour drive there and back. Plus out pocket expenses for that trip. Not just that you have no idea how many blackhat people and conmen are attracted to this movement. I’ve gone out my way make sure they dont interfere with this campaign.

There people out there who are so obsessed and fanatic about Sega and DC it’s hard to see where truth starts and fantasy ends. There was rumour going about Sega working a new console called Sega Orbi turns out to be a code name for some kind hologram zoo. Which was started by one these fanatics. I have done interviews, articles group moderation research into this campaign for you guys. Some of you and the way you are acting as if we have stolen something or you just feel entitled. We don’t owe guys anything for matter or efforts we putting in. Lucky enough me Ben want to carry this on. I spent money last night on multi-purpose proposal template. Which I will be showing you guys this week.

Due to conflicts differences some people are being hell bent on trying stop us carrying on this campaign. We have lost a group of over 6k members. I am beyond sickened feel stabbed in the back over that. Please show some courtesy back this has been hell on earth for me and Ben we believe worth seeing to the end. The way some of you guys are behaving to be honest is shocking. We dont need the agro but not stopping you guys from venting but haven’t been only people been let down over this campaign we have too.” – Bertie Wiseman, Dreamcast Reloaded

In other words, no money has exchanged hands and there will be no crowdfunding campaign for Dreamcast Reloaded (at least not to my knowledge). So it´s a volunteer kind of project that needs help from the SEGA community in-order to become a reality. And that´s all there is to it (unless something changes over time), so I´m going to wish the Dreamcast Reloaded the best of luck with their project and goals.

And with that said, what´s your take on this matter? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!

Source:
Ben Ess
Change.org
Dreamcast Reloaded

***Disclaimer***
This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.

***Disclosure***
Bertie Wiseman and I know each other pretty well (Internet friends).

Robin “V-Act” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround