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VIA/Apex Game Console Details Leaked
DammiTT writes "It seems that Apex are releasing a new PC-based 'console', using VIA components, later this year. It'll be announced during CES on January 8th." However, HardOCP already has some initial pictures and details up on its site, for this "ApeXtreme Personal Gaming Console and DVD Player", or PGC. According to this early, unconfirmed report, it's running a 1.4Ghz VIA chipset, the CN400, and "will be powered by a near-instant-on version of WinXP (embedded) with Windows Media Player, and... will have removable media in the form of DVD/CD." It comes with "a 40GB IDE hard drive... you can play DVD movies, audio and video CDs... [and] the price points will be at US$299 and US$399."
I wonder if you could use this for a PVR too; Apex also makes one of those now.
Just get me one of these with a larger hard drive, and I'd be set...
pb Reply or e-mail; don't vaguely moderate.
VIA has a tendency to make the most unstable chipset.
I have owned 3 abit motherboards, 1 tyan and 1 ecs, all based on a VIA chipset. Only 1 out of 5 board could remain stable for more than a year. Yes, yes I installed the VIA-4-in-1 drivers and more or less the same OS.
If you do the math, that's 20% stability in my experience.
I wouldn't worry about the Linux issues, or hardcore DRM for that matter. Both companies, VIA and Apex are not exactly know for their dogged pursuit of DRM and like technologies. Apex in particular has been slapped down abunch of times for violating DVD 'standards', anyone rememeber the region free DVDs sold everywhere?
There are a bunch of interesting things this console will bring. First is that VIA is really hot for it. They made sure to pester people to be at the press conference, something they are usually more laid back about. They are going to push this thing, trust me.
THe next thing is that I expect it more to be a 'digital convergence' box than a game console. It won't threaten the PS2 or XBox, that is for certain. If you look at the specs of the chip, it is packs a rather modest amount of horsepower, especially in the areas where 3D games need it most, FP. The GPU isn't exactly anything to make people forget about the NV40/R420 either.
What it will do is play DVDs well, most likely PVR functions, and play a lot of slightly modefied PC games more than adequately. If you take a TVs rez into acount, it should more than do the job. Overall, a lot of functionality for the money, but precious little bleeding edge.
I have two hopes for this box, first is reasonably priced games. Second, and more importantly is that VIA makes this a reference design, and Apex is the first of many to come out with a box. Others will follow, some with bigger HDs, other with better video out etc etc.
One thing for sure is that I will be at the press conference. VIA has always done some good things, and if you look at the stuff they showed me at Comdex, there are some really really cool geek toys there. They are all based on the EPIA platform which is small, fanless, and cheap, but more than powerfull enough to do most everything.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12853
All the people at VIAs show (they were next door to comdex) had really innovative things. If you are into neat devices, I recommend you keep an eye on VIA, the platforms that they spent years creating are just starting to take off. Also, FWIW, I plan to do a full write up as soon as I can after the press conference.
-Charlie
When I read about this and some of the comments, the thought suddenly came to mind that if this sells at all, Microsoft is a big winner. Why? Because you know MS is not giving the embedded Windows XP away for free and since they aren't making this thing, every sale is money in the bank for them. And the embedded XP is probably similar to what they use in the XBox, so they get a little more return on that investment.
As for VIA, this doesn't make much sense as a games console. Usually a console maker takes a loss on the console hardware itself (at least at first) and makes up the losses on game royalties. PC games don't sell anywhere near the number that console games do, plus a PC game publisher pays no royalties to anyone. As it is unlikely that the market will support another proprietary format, games are not likely going to make VIA any money.
Since VIA is in business to make money, one can only conclude that they plan to make a profit on the hardware itself. Being able to play some PC games and do PC-like things then becomes just another marketing bullet point. This is also support by the fact that the thing looks like a more or less standard DVD player. This strategy can work if they keep the manufacturing costs down and do a good job of marketing. My final guess is that this will be marketed primarily in Asia where PC penetration is low which would make a device with some PC functionality more attractive. And the you can bet that games like Starcraft and other titles wildly popular in places like South Korea and China will run on the system without a hitch.
To the making of books there is no end, so let's get started
Considering that Xbox and PS? Will be shooting it out for the top tier market, and Nintendo will pretty much retain their core market from their various franchises; their could very well be a place for the Apex.
Cost of developing for any of the big three consoles is pretty much through the roof, enough to where any of the smaller publishing houses would never have a chance to develop for the current console market. This has translated into stale games overall... I own over 50 PS1 games. I own less than 10 PS2.
Given that Apex could never hope to compete with Sony head to head, they might be able to carve a niche market by having a more diverse creative pool, lower priced games, less cost of development, and being able to take more risks as far new games are concerned.
You wouldn't need tremendous hardware to do that, and since Apex already has positive cash flow from their other ventures; they can ride out building a user base.
All they need is one killer game that is unique to their system. All the other things it can do would just be icing on the cake.
This could very well be a giant killer.