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Clockwork GameShell Unboxing and Assembly

#1
Clockwork GameShell Unboxing and Assembly

<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly.jpg" width="454" height="342" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>I was just sent a <a href="https://www.clockworkpi.com/gameshell">Clockwork GameShell</a>, it’s a build it yourself open source raspberry pi powered handheld computer.&nbsp; What’s most appealling to me is how heavily focused on indie game developers this device is.&nbsp; This is not a review of the device but instead a description of the build process (stay tuned for a proper review!).&nbsp; So let’s take a look at the process from beginning to end and I’ll point out the few snags I encountered on the way.&nbsp; If you are interested in getting one of your own, they are <a href="https://amzn.to/35JhFT1">available on Amazon</a>.</p>
<p>The underlying specs of hardware are as follows:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>New ClockworkPi V3.1:</b>Powered by Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU, MaliGPU, Wi-Fi &amp;Bluetooth, 1GB DDR3 Memory, 16GB MicroSD, HDMI output, GPIOs.</p>
<p><b>Keypad:</b> Programmable Keypad and powered by an ATmega168P <a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="662b36332654562b2f3635">[email&nbsp;protected]</a> with 30Pin Arduino compatibility GPIOs.</p>
<p><b>Audio:</b> 2 Channel Stereo Speaker</p>
<p><b>Visual: </b>2.7-inch <a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7321343133454315030020100116161d">[email&nbsp;protected]</a></p>
<p><b>Rechargeable Battery: </b>3.7v, 1200mAh</p>
<p><b>Lightkey module:</b> 5 independent IO extended keys for shoulder buttons</p>
<p><b>GameShell Shells:</b> 1 front shell+2 back shells </p>
<p><b>MicroSD Card:</b> 16GB </p>
<p><b>OS:</b> ClockworkPi OS,Linux&nbsp; 4.1x </p>
<p><b>Debug cable:</b> 14PIN GPIOs </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Let’s look at what you get and how you assemble it.</p>
<h2>The Box</h2>
<h2><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_112020.jpg"><br /></a></h2>
<p>This is a extremely minor point, but I was quite impressed with the packaging the GameShell came in.&nbsp; Right away it’s generally just a higher quality of packaging and branding than I am accustomed to for these kinds of products, it does have a premium feeling as a result. Click any photo for a much higher resolution version.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_112001.jpg"><img width="454" height="342" title="IMG_20191127_112001" alt="IMG_20191127_112001" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_112020.jpg"><img width="454" height="342" title="IMG_20191127_112020" alt="IMG_20191127_112020" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-1.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<h2>The Contents</h2>
<p>The inside of the box is several other boxes and a collection of plastic punch out components.&nbsp; In terms of equipment you need to do this build you are going to want a sharp knife at the very least.&nbsp; A fine file and pair of side cutters to remove the plastic attachments are also recommended, but I got by with just a knife.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_112146.jpg"><img width="454" height="241" title="IMG_20191127_112146" alt="IMG_20191127_112146" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-2.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_113033.jpg"><img width="454" height="604" title="IMG_20191127_113033" alt="IMG_20191127_113033" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-3.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<h2 align="left">Assembly</h2>
<p align="left">Now it’s time to start putting things together.&nbsp; The instructions are IKEA style (but thankfully better than most IKEA!) step by step pictographic instructions.&nbsp; The assembly is module by module.&nbsp; The primary modules are the screen, the battery, the main system board and the controller as well as the speaker (not shown).</p>
<h2></h2>
<p align="center"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_121439.jpg"><img width="454" height="342" title="IMG_20191127_121439" alt="IMG_20191127_121439" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-4.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_114819.jpg"><img width="454" height="342" title="IMG_20191127_114819" alt="IMG_20191127_114819" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-5.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p align="center"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_115734.jpg"><img width="454" height="342" title="IMG_20191127_115734" alt="IMG_20191127_115734" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-6.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_121145.jpg"><img width="454" height="342" title="IMG_20191127_121145" alt="IMG_20191127_121145" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-7.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p align="left">Once these 5 modules are completed, its its time to mount the modules into the backplate and connect the various power wires between the devices.&nbsp; This is probably the trickiest part with one exception I will discuss in a minute.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_125731.jpg"><img width="604" height="454" title="IMG_20191127_125731" alt="IMG_20191127_125731" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-8.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p align="left">Finally it’s a matter of attaching the front plate, attaching two thumb screws and praying you did everything right.&nbsp; And the final completed product!</p>
<p align="left"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=IMG_20191127_130514.jpg"><img width="604" height="804" title="IMG_20191127_130514" alt="IMG_20191127_130514" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-9.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<h2>The Gotchas</h2>
<p>Assembly was extremely straight forward with only two snags.&nbsp; The first step is when creating the display module illustrated below.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/image.axd?picture=ScreenStep.jpg"><img width="704" height="475" title="ScreenStep" alt="ScreenStep" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/clockwork-gameshell-unboxing-and-assembly-10.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p>Notice the inset diagram shows the cable being bent backwards, while the layer diagram does not show this?&nbsp; This is vitally important, you do in fact have to bend the display cable 180 degrees.</p>
<p>The second problem is actually around the same issue.&nbsp; Connecting the display ribbon cable to the main board should be done *BEFORE* you close the case around it, making it insanely difficult connect unless you open it.</p>
<p>The only other issue I ran into is occasionally they mounted the plastic pieces to the plastic frame at less than ideal locations.&nbsp; For example there was a mount point where the display cable needs to be fed.&nbsp; I had to make a special point of filing down the excess plastic to keep it from rubbing against or puncturing the fragile ribbon cable.&nbsp; It would be ideal if pieces were mounted slightly different, but its a small issue.</p>
<p>Now that I have the GameShell built, it’s time to start trying to develop games for it.&nbsp; Stay tuned for that video in the near future.</p>
<p class="under"> <span class="categories"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/category/General.aspx">General</a></span> <span class="tags"><a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/?tag=/Love2D" rel="tag">Love2D</a> <a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/?tag=/LUA" rel="tag">LUA</a> <a href="https://www.gamefromscratch.com/?tag=/Review" rel="tag">Review</a></span> </p>
<hr> &lt;!–</p>
<p>–&gt;</p>
</div>


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