# History of video games/Platforms/WOWCube
## History
### 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 grams (14 oz), 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

## Gallery

* Steve Wozniak at DesTechAz 2019, holding a WOWcube.
* WOWcube animation.
* Illustration from the US patent US2017057296.

## References

* 1 2 "Startups remake classic games for the digital era" (in en). ZDNet. https://www.zdnet.com/article/startups-remake-classic-games-for-the-digital-era/.
* 1 2 "WowCube raises $1.5M from Xsolla founder for its Rubik’s Cube-like game device". VentureBeat. 30 August 2021. https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/30/wowcube-raises-1-5m-from-xsolla-founder-aleksandr-agapitov/.
* 1 2 "WOWCUBE® ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM". wowcube.com (San Rafael, California). January 11, 2021. https://wowcube.com/news/cubios-inc-the-creator-of-the-wowcube-r-entertainment-system-an.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bruce, James (31 March 2022). "Wowcube: It's Real, But Does It Really Wow?". MUO. https://www.makeuseof.com/wowcube-its-real-but-does-it-really-wow/.
* ↑ Switzer, Eric (15 May 2022). "Meet WOWCube: A Twisty Handheld Set To Take Gaming To A New Dimension". TheGamer. https://www.thegamer.com/wowcube-preview-cubios-max-filin-interview/.
* ↑ Colantonio, Giovanni (19 March 2022). "The WowCube is more than a video game gimmick" (in en). Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/wowcube-interview-max-filin/.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "WOWCUBE® ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM". wowcube.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
* ↑ "STM32F4 - ARM Cortex-M4 High-Performance MCUs - STMicroelectronics" (in en). www.st.com. https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32f4-series.html.
* ↑ "WOWCUBE® ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM". wowcube.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
* ↑ "Space Invaders Cubed to Arrive on the WOWCube". TechAcute. 31 January 2022. https://techacute.com/space-invaders-cubed-to-arrive-on-the-wowcube/.