I've got an update. Visit
http://trycelery.com/shop/netrogames to buy a preorder of a Netrogames Sega Genesis Networked Clone. If you read the previous posts, it will use a low-ping connection like Sprint Direct Connect to physically connect 2 or more Genesises. (I would offer as an option Neo Geos except I don't have any corporate contact info for SNK Playmore, other than stuff that isn't answered, so I assume I don't have permission until I do.) I am charging $125 for a Netrogames Genesis. I will not collect any of the money and you will not be billed until 1000 Netrogames Genesises are sold. I am working with Anthony Gaccione of Sega of America on this. He may have to deal with superiors at Sega, so it's not quite final as far as Sega is concerned, but the first step looks promising. I also talked to someone else in licensing and they said, if I can show it works, they'll license it.
Also of note is my research partner,
http://davison.com who told me based on my theory it will cost at most $17,000 and change to get 2 working prototypes and plans to build multiples at once. Another possible partner that I've got the ear of one person of is Chris Carroll of
http://madcatz.com He likes the idea but has to discuss it with his people at his company. I recently emailed him saying if I can provide a plan for Netrogames Genesis and a fixed amount of money for manufacturing it, he'll get back to me. And for those who hate AtGames' versions of Genesises, I've got word that Sega is looking to reshop the Genesis Clone rights. So if Mad Catz hurries, and 1000 Genesis owners hurry, we can get Net Genesises made when Sega reshops the contract. And we will have added a feature not found in a traditional Genesis, networking games, using the original cartridges, and no network patches. It runs as is.
I am assuming AtGames got 40 Sega Genesis ROMS and a mini-Genesis made to retail for $40 US, so it cost at most $10/unit to make Neo-Genesises WITH THE RIGHTS TO 40 GENESIS TITLES in bulk, so it'd probably be a little more expensive to networkize it.
And me and Anthony thought of some cool ideas, like a FREE CLASSIC GAMING NETWORK, where all you have to do contact an opponent is watch a commercial. It takes 10 to 30 seconds anyway to establish a connection, so why not show a commercial. You'll have to wait anyway. Might as well get paid to wait with a free network. This is totally up to Sega and third parties, but I suggested where you download whatever Sega made and Sega third party games people are willing to deal with the right with, and give them for free. All you have do is watch one commercial to access the game once you "turn on" the genesis. Meaning you only get a commercial when you first boot the game. Once it's loaded, play as long as you want, or until you change online opponents or change games. A new booting of the game is a new commercial.
We will have Sega CD and 32X add ons made for this system coming soon if this succeeds, as well as Master System, Saturn and Dreamcast in the future. Hopefully Atari, SNK, Intelliviison, Colecovision, Bally, Magnavox, Panasonic, Emerson, whoever owns the rights to the Turbo Grafx 16 (I believe it's Konami, because they bought out Hudson) , and (saving the current players for last) Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will come on board eventually if the Net Genesis succeeds.
So if you want a Net Neo Geo, either "hold you nose" and support a 16-bit Net Genesis, or get me in contact with an SNK executive, and if they say yes, I'll add a Neo Geo to the lineup. No time limit. But the sooner I get 1000 buyers, the sooner Net Neo Geo comes out.