The NeXT was one of the two original consoles in The NeXT Generation line. It was created by Billy Anderson; however the concept for the console was originally by ZeusinTraining (PSN Name).
The NeXT reads NeXT Folders, which can store up to 100 of any assorted files - Music Files, Picture Files, Game Files, Cut-scene Files or 'Other'.
Development
During development, the console that resulted in NeXT was originally intended to be a GameExpo III. During development however, the name was changed due to the console contrasting greatly to the GameExpo II. It's name was changed to 'GameExpo Next' (for 'Next Generation', which later turned into 'GameExpo NeXT' as a tribute to Steve Jobs. The 'GameExpo' title was eventually dropped as the addition of certain features would mean that the logic structure for the console would not allow it to be backwards-compatible with other GameExpo games whilst being thermometer-efficient.
The Console that was worked up until v2.2r2 by GameEx was the original NeXT that was created by GameEx in 2012. It had never been replaced or deleted, meaning that all of the NeXTs in distribution were taken from the exact same base model.
On the 23rd of December 2018, over 4 years and 3 months since v2.2r2, NeXT was updated to v2.3. This update fixed a serious bug in LittleBigPlanet 3 that made NeXT's Folders move to behind the console, meaning media would not play. The update also fixed various other issues, and introduced 'Automatic On/Off'. This was the first update applied to the console as T-Games merged with Trixel Creative.
Engine
The T-Games NeXT operates on a built-from-scratch engine specifically for the NeXT by GameEx titled 'Snowflake'. Snowflake (at the time of creation) was completely unique, as it was the first engine to allow for consoles to have 2 separate run-time systems. This allows for the Play and Preview mode that was in NeXTs from v1.0-2.0. Preview mode was removed in v2.1, as developers did not get along with it.
Later, Snowflake would add more features such as Direct-Control (allowing tasks to be completed by the Player as the console is reading Files) and a Menu (which, unlike any other Menu for a Console in LittleBigPlanet, is hardwired into the Engine processes itself, allowing for easier interaction between the NeXT and the menu).
NeXT Update Log
Version Number
Official Release Date
Development Name
Change Log
v1.0
21st August 2012
The NeXT Generation
Original Release Console
v1.1
24th August 2012
Downloadable Update
Added 'Quick Update' - Update the console from the console (Level link + Score detector)
v1.1.1
26th August 2012
v1.1 Fix
Fixed wrongly credited logic
Removed Memory Card that was stuck to the console
v1.2
9th September 2012
Mini Update 1 (The Icon Update)
Added ability to check whether an inserted Memory Card has Savedata stored
Application Reset now Accessible via Wireless Override
Replaced most of the icons used in the console
v1.3
2nd November 2012
Big Update 1
'Snapshot Mode' - Hold down X & R1 for 3 seconds to take a picture of the NeXT at any time
Added On/Off Toggle Tag Conversion Point for Logic ease-of-use
v1.6.2
10th July 2013
v1.6.1 Fix
Fixed 'Previous' Direct-Control Function
Moved Preview/Play Mode into the Direct control Menu (R1 + Triangle)
v1.7
21st August 2013
Big Update 4 (The Menu Update)
Added Menu to console for easy access to 'Options', 'Run Inserted File' & the new 'Personal Music' and 'Controls' options
Added 'Personal Music' section to allow the user to add custom music to the console
Added M-Chip to the motherboard to allow Menu Processes to interact with the run-times
Added Music-Disabler to allow the custom music to operate whilst a File is playing
Added Menu-Disabler
Added Accessory Support to Menu (Accessories can disable the Menu)
Added new T-Games logo to the console (Logo Bar + Intro/Outro Screen)
Removed auto-shutdown, as it was no longer needed with the Menu (this feature may be re-added to work only when the Menu has been disabled)
Added 'Planned Features/Updates' to 'Update Log'
Renamed 'Console Upates' to 'Update Log'
Added 'Controls' to the Menu
v1.8
8th October 2013
Mini Update 4 (Options)
Added 'Start-up/Shut-down Styles', which allows for users to choose between pre-installed start-up/shut-down styles, or to create their own
Re-named 'Other Options' to 'Console Settings + Other Options'
Re-named 'Reset the current Application.' to 'Re-Boot File'
Re-Organised 'Console Settings + Other Options'
Added 'Tips' to Direct-Control (R1+Square)
Added version number to Start-up/Shut-down screen
v1.9
12th November 2013
Mini Update 5 (IceOS)
Named NeXT Software (start-up/shut-down text, image, NeXT Menu, etc) 'IceOS'
Re-Organised M Chip
Combined all 'Join Game' Options (now called 'Search for Joinable Games') into 1 option, which automatically assigns the player into whichever slot is available, instead of leaving the player to manually input the controls themselves
Added 'Search for Joinable Games' to IceOS
Moved 'Search for Joinable Games' to 'Console Settings + Other Options'
Moved 'Music Settings' to the outside of the Console
Re-organised 'Console Settings + Other Options'
Added 'Self-Destruct [Rigid Connections]', to allow for a lag-free removal of the NeXT from any level.
Removed Tips from Direct-Control menu, as it clashed with the in-game popit.
v2.0
25th December 2013
Mini Update 6 (The User Update)
Added 'Update Console' to the console
Re-Organised T-Chip & C-Chip
Re-Coloured Settings in 'Console Settings & Other Options'
Fixed Bug: Console Constantly Trying to Join Games
Replaced most Subtitles with Captions throughout Console
Replaced all Subtitles with Captions throughout Folders
Added 'Looping' to 'Next File' and 'Previous File'
The NeXT S (originally NeXT Shadow) was the fourth console to join the NeXT line after a licensing deal with SP_Sour to use the "lightweight NeXT" concept.
The NeXT S is a copylock-free version of the NeXT with removed features for thermometer-efficiency.
The NeXT S reads the same cartridges as the NeXT and runs on a modified version of the NeXT's engine, Snowflake, called SnowflakeM. The modifications consist of the Engine being stripped-down, meaning that many features are not included within the NeXT S.
NeXT S Update Log
Version Number
Official Release Date
Development Name
Change Log
Archived
v1.4.1
9th November 2012
NeXT Shadow
Original NeXT S Console
Yes
v1.5
3rd December 2012
Accessories
Added Accessory functionality - allows the user to modify the run-time sequences of the NeXT
Removed Start-up and Shut-down image
No
v1.6
20th February 2013
The Gadget Update
Removed Welcome & Goodbye Message
Removed Trophies
Added Update Log
Yes
v1.7
21st August 2013
Solar
Added new Solar T-Games Logo
No
v1.8
8th October 2013
v1.8
Re-named console v1.8 to keep up-to-date with T-Games NeXT
No
v1.9
12th November 2013
IceOS
Changed theme of Console
Enabled support for an IceOS Install Disk
Added 'Activate Full-Screen Mode;
Added 'Disable Folder Music'
Added 'Custom Music'
Added 'Disable Inserted Accessory'
Added Controllinator access tags
Added Self-Destruct to 'Other Options'
No
v2.0
22nd March 2014
The Supermassive Update
Re-named console NeXT S
Added new NeXT S Logo
Current Version
NeXT Basic
NeXT Basic
Details
Release Date
v1.0 March 22, 2014
Codename
Angel Cake
NeXT Basic launched on the 22nd of March 2014, and was announced by GameEx on the 26th of December, 2013.[1] The NeXT Basic is a simplified NeXT with removed features, that shares an intentional likeliness with the GameExpo II.
The NeXT Basic reads NeXT Folders, however it also has its own dedicated Music and Game Folders for simplicity - which are also compatible with the NeXT.
