And now Perifractic has an update video that's half an hour long...unless someone else wants to take one for the team and actually watch it to find out.
After how annoying the last video was (I stuck it through about the first five minutes, and then couldn't stand it any more) I'm not willing to try to watch this one, but I am willing to stuff it into NoteGPT.io and see what kind of summary comes out. I am surprised that it considers a 1000 word document to be a "summary" of the 5000 word transcript, but at least it's still five times faster to read. And course have all the usual caveats re accuracy etc. But it should at least give some sense of what's going on, and things to search for in the transcript if you want to find out what was really said.
Revival of Commodore Brand
The video chronicles the ambitious project to revive the iconic Commodore computer brand, which had been dormant and fragmented after decades. Perry Fractic, a YouTuber passionate about retro tech, spearheads this initiative with the goal of bringing Commodore back not just as a nostalgic brand but as a forward-looking technology company.
Acquisition and Leadership
Perry Fractic has become the acting CEO of the newly re-established Commodore Corporation after successfully negotiating the acquisition of the company’s trademarks and assets. Although the payment and full legal finalization are still pending, the sellers recognize the new leadership team with positions such as CEO, CFO, CTO, COO, and a playful “C640” title.
Public Benefit Corporation Structure
The new Commodore operates as a public benefit corporation, which is a for-profit entity but with mandated commitments to preserve and promote retro computing culture. This structure aims to balance financial viability with a mission-driven approach dedicated to the community and legacy of Commodore.
Funding and Investment Challenges
Raising capital for the acquisition and future projects is ongoing, with a target price in the low seven figures. The team has engaged with angel investors and attempted crowdfunding but faces regulatory hurdles due to international securities laws, restricting investment to accredited investors from specific countries, primarily the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
Community and Legacy Focus
A fundamental principle of the revival is to keep Commodore’s legacy alive by involving original engineers, executives, and community members. The project emphasizes authenticity by reuniting members such as Bill Herd (Commodore 128/Plus4 designer), Michael Tomchek (Vic 20 product manager), and others instrumental in Commodore’s original successes.
Future Product Vision
While honoring classics like the Commodore 64 and Amiga, the revived company plans to innovate with new hardware and software products that embrace a retrofuturistic aesthetic. The vision includes digital minimalism and user-friendly computing experiences reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s, countering modern tech’s complexity and social media toxicity.
Ongoing Content and Community Engagement
Perry Fractic plans to document the revival journey via his YouTube channel “Retro Recipes,” offering behind-the-scenes access to research, development, and company updates. The channel serves as a portal for fans who want to be part of the comeback and contribute ideas or feedback.
Legal and Licensing Approach
The team intends to manage Commodore’s trademarks responsibly, avoiding over-licensing or brand dilution. An official licensing program will be introduced to allow community developers and creators to produce Commodore-branded products under quality-controlled conditions.
Involvement of Notable Figures and New Talent
Besides original Commodore veterans, new contributors such as Thomas Middle Ditch (known from Silicon Valley and Netflix specials) have joined as Chief Creative Officer, bringing creative and promotional expertise. The team also includes hardware partners, game developers, and artists, reinforcing a multidisciplinary approach.
Addressing Skepticism and Transparency
Perry openly acknowledges the community’s skepticism, given past failed revival attempts and scams. He emphasizes his personal passion, the team’s dedication, and their plans for transparency, including FAQs addressing common concerns about the project’s legitimacy, funding, and future.
Revival of Commodore Brand
The video chronicles the ambitious project to revive the iconic Commodore computer brand, which had been dormant and fragmented after decades. Perry Fractic, a YouTuber passionate about retro tech, spearheads this initiative with the goal of bringing Commodore back not just as a nostalgic brand but as a forward-looking technology company.
Acquisition and Leadership
Perry Fractic has become the acting CEO of the newly re-established Commodore Corporation after successfully negotiating the acquisition of the company’s trademarks and assets. Although the payment and full legal finalization are still pending, the sellers recognize the new leadership team with positions such as CEO, CFO, CTO, COO, and a playful “C640” title.
Public Benefit Corporation Structure
The new Commodore operates as a public benefit corporation, which is a for-profit entity but with mandated commitments to preserve and promote retro computing culture. This structure aims to balance financial viability with a mission-driven approach dedicated to the community and legacy of Commodore.
Funding and Investment Challenges
Raising capital for the acquisition and future projects is ongoing, with a target price in the low seven figures. The team has engaged with angel investors and attempted crowdfunding but faces regulatory hurdles due to international securities laws, restricting investment to accredited investors from specific countries, primarily the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
Community and Legacy Focus
A fundamental principle of the revival is to keep Commodore’s legacy alive by involving original engineers, executives, and community members. The project emphasizes authenticity by reuniting members such as Bill Herd (Commodore 128/Plus4 designer), Michael Tomchek (Vic 20 product manager), and others instrumental in Commodore’s original successes.
Future Product Vision
While honoring classics like the Commodore 64 and Amiga, the revived company plans to innovate with new hardware and software products that embrace a retrofuturistic aesthetic. The vision includes digital minimalism and user-friendly computing experiences reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s, countering modern tech’s complexity and social media toxicity.
Ongoing Content and Community Engagement
Perry Fractic plans to document the revival journey via his YouTube channel “Retro Recipes,” offering behind-the-scenes access to research, development, and company updates. The channel serves as a portal for fans who want to be part of the comeback and contribute ideas or feedback.
Legal and Licensing Approach
The team intends to manage Commodore’s trademarks responsibly, avoiding over-licensing or brand dilution. An official licensing program will be introduced to allow community developers and creators to produce Commodore-branded products under quality-controlled conditions.
Involvement of Notable Figures and New Talent
Besides original Commodore veterans, new contributors such as Thomas Middle Ditch (known from Silicon Valley and Netflix specials) have joined as Chief Creative Officer, bringing creative and promotional expertise. The team also includes hardware partners, game developers, and artists, reinforcing a multidisciplinary approach.
Addressing Skepticism and Transparency
Perry openly acknowledges the community’s skepticism, given past failed revival attempts and scams. He emphasizes his personal passion, the team’s dedication, and their plans for transparency, including FAQs addressing common concerns about the project’s legitimacy, funding, and future.
