Phantom Game Console

jasoncart writes "In a bold move newly formed US technology company Infinium Labs Corporation have announced the release of a new gaming console. They promise that it will be faster than any other console on the market, and have a huge games catalog (32k+ games apparently) available over broadband. Can they take on the big boys? Is broadband pentration high enough? Only time will tell - prototypes are promised in March." There's also an interview with their PR spokesdrone. *cough*Indrema.*cough*

Comments

This is doomed

[bludstone]

This is doomed to failure. Without any of the big name gaming companies to back them up, noone will buy the console.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the next 3do

But the real question is...

[cerebralsugar]

can you heat an egg on its heatsink?

REAL gaming machines cook eggs.

32K games?

[grub]

Pong, Breakout, Space Invaders..

Re:32K games?

[Dudio]

I wonder if they count variations as separate games like Sears used to do with their versions of Atari 2600 cartridges. I remember the Space Invaders label boasted something like "120 Games!", which meant standard, moving bunkers, no bunkers, invisible invaders, fast missles, zigzagging missles, moving bunkers + fast missles, moving bunkers + zigzagging missles, moving bunkers + fast missles + zigzagging missles, etc.

Re:32K games?

[Didion Sprague]

OMG!!!!

Childhood flashback.

Playing the 'Sears' version of Atari on Saturday afternoons at the mall.

Space Invaders.

Combat.

Standing around in the back of the Sears by the lawnmowers and the garden supplies where they had the Atari set-up.

Get tired of playing, head on down to Aladdin's Castle to play Donkey Kong, Pac Man, and Tron.

Then off to Radio Shack to fiddle with the TRS-80's and the acoustically-coupled 300 baud modem. Meet some curly haired guy named 'Eberle' in the TRS-80 section who managed to have *every* TRS-80 game in existence -- Asylum I, Zork, Death Maze 5000, you name it.

Teach myself BASIC on the TRS-80 Model III.

Then off to Orange Julius.

Then bike ride home.

Play D&D in the evening. Talk about the new 'module' you're writing. Talk about getting some more modules. Talk about Grayhawk.

Childhood was so simple. Malls, computers, orange julius', and Gary Gygax.

Hmm.

[lukew]

Think they're seeking capital?

32k+ games??

[MeanMF]

(32k+ games apparently) available over broadband

That's nothing! My old Apple IIe could play 64k games!

Is this a hoax or what?

[stratjakt]

Something tells me this is just a joke. I sat and listened to the little media hype thingy, and I actually laughed out loud.

It shows a little rendered image of a console, while saying things like "Imagine being able to pay for each play" and "Imagine downloading the latest patches and bugfixes".

Re:32k???

[bokmann]

Remember how the atari 2600 worked? one cartridge could have like, 140 games on it, all variations on a theme...

Here is the tank game!
Here is the tank game in a maze!
Here is the tank game with bullets that bounce!
Here is the tank game with bullets that bounce in a maze!

and so on. Hope thats not what they mean...

faster than any other console on the market

[poindextrose]

Interviewer: Hey, why are there wheels on the console? Spokesman: It's faster than any other console on the market. Interviewer: Umm... usually when referring to the spees of the console, you quote the processor speed, or some benchmark. Spokesman: You want a benchmark? This thing gets 112 Miles per gallon. The tank holds a pint. You do the math. Interviewer: What's the purpose of a moving console? Spokesman: It's the ultimate mobile platform.

Too many already.

[_ph1ux_]

I grew up with the rise of consoles - from the early ones like the atari and pong - through NES and its siblings to now, the ps2 xbox etc, just as many of us have. But I still do not own one.

I had a sega, I had NES and super NES and dreamcast. But I choose not to buy any new ones now.

I have played computer games religously ever since I was in 3rd grade. I play games on my PC and thats how I like it.

I have a big comfy chair - a huge monitor and a very fast machine - in a room dedicated to computer gaming. I prefer this setup greatly over sitting on the floor in front of my TV. I prefer the level of interaction that a PC can provide.

I dont have any desire for an xbox, ps2 gamecube or other... my PC is just fine. and it serves a hell of a lot more functions than a console system.

The current prices of hardware is incredible. I just built another great system for $400. at just twice the price of an xbox/ps2 I get 1000 times the functionality.

Unless the system they are offering is $25.00 and I dont have to pay any sort of monthly access (like if it were to utilize my *exisiting* lan and broadband connection - without a large price for a lan adapter - i will continue to have no interest in console systems.

What they should do is focus on making a PCI card that you can insert into your PC and utilize its hardware to make it a "console" system in that it can hold the controllers and play all the games - for a minimal cost.

then make all the money off the price of the games (which are already overpriced at $50.)

Go read their press release

[guido1]

No really, go read it. It'll take a little extra time, but it could be the most hilarious thing you'll see in months.

http://www.infiniumlabs.com/PR/Infinium%20Labs%2 0P ress%20Annoucment%204.0.htm

I've seen companies promise a subset of the features that I want in product XYZ, but this is the first time I've ever seen a company promote that it has every single feature ever .

A good quote: "Combining skills from Telco, Data Communications, Digital Rights Management, Software Development and Security, the management team brings together a unique array of skills to develop the most robust next generation gaming console and delivery network on the market."

Wha?

It's just too funny on its own... I can't add to anything they've said...

Speaking of too much...

[thatguywhoiam]

I, too, grew up with the various historical consoles. Since this comment was deemed 'interesting', let me ask you a few things. Consoles... But I still do not own one.

That's cool. What I want to know is, how do you find maintaining this bleeding-edge level of gamer gear?

I ask because, honestly, the PC gaming rig puzzles me. Even with the basement-level prices you speak of ($400/box), it still strikes me as prohibitively expensive. I suppose it depends on your dedication ot the hobby.

Let me illustrate - I do most of my gaming on a PS2. My personal computer is a Mac, which isn't good for anything but the biggest mainstrain PC games (ala WarCraft).

PS2 = $US 200 (new when it came out)
PS2 game = $US 50

Now, this thing, if its anything like my PS1, will last me for about 3-4 years. I get to sit on a comfy couch, with friends who can also see clearly my large television, with my surround-sound stereo (that I already forked out for), and play 1st-rate video games. It boots very quickly, the graphics are great, most importantly the games are great. The controller is custom-designed just for gaming. It never crashes. I don't apply patches or download things, 99% of the unit's uptime is actively gaming.

Now, before you go off and shut me down, tell me.. you've got:

Gaming PC = $US 400
PC Game = $US 50

now add to that PC Game Controller = $US 35
Large Gaming PC monitor = $250
Good PC Speakers = $100 Windows license to run said Games = $50

How is that better? You're paying a premium for graphics and sound that are only ever going to be marginally better.

I know its not all about economics, but the games, man! You must have as much money as possible to buy games. That is the whole point.

How often do you update your rig? If it's 'fast', as in fast enough to run a cutting-edge PC game all the time, the turnover must be at least one a year, no? (Of course, the PC is more functional than a PS2, but we are talking about games, no?)

I wish you luck, PC Gamer, but I fear your days are numbered. The consoles are custom-designed to eat your lunch.