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Infinium May Have Content Partners
eToychest writes "In a move that indicates the video game industry is embracing digital distribution as a vehicle to expand the market, more than 20 game publishers have signed on to supply titles for the Phantom Game Service." Their previously reported financial status is undoubtedly still an issue, though.
I mean honestly...who in the world can say "Phantom Game Service" with a straight face? Are they really that oblivious to the obvious pun?
Moo.
I still have reservations paying a monthly charge to 'rent games' regardless of how many publishers or titles they have signed on. And I own seven Porche GT3's, each a different color. But only on the Internet.
If Microsoft nixes the Xbox (are they still losing money on hardware / Xbox overall?) tomorrow, I can still drop discs in and play them next week. If I lose my broadband or (gasp!) move to an area without high-speed internet, I can still use my Xbox. My Xbox can't be remotely hacked, DOS'd, and won't need monthly security patches.
It's not time for a "on demand" content model yet.
Is it now required that at every mention of Infinium Labs, someone has to make the DNF Joke? Who thinks it's still funny?
Happiness is relative, Based upon the way we live.
Out of curiosity, I visited all of the publishers websites to look for interesting or recognizable (to me) game titles. Here's what I found (not sure if its all accurate but it should be close):
:)
21-6 Productions - crap
BraveTree - crap
Chronic Logic - Pontifex 1 & 2 (if anyone remembers that neat little demo)
Codemasters - Operation Flashpoint 1 & 2, IGI 2, Colin McRae Rally, TOCA, Dragon Empires,
Dreamcatcher Interactive - Painkiller
eGames - Raptor, Demonstar (loved those old shooters!), otherwise crap
Eidos - Thief, Dues Ex, Hitman, Legacy of Kain, Tomb Raider, Commandos, Blood Omen; series'
Enlight Interactive - X2: The Threat, Seven Kingdoms 1 & 2, Warlords Battlecry 3
Framework Studios - Crap
GamerBlitz - Crap
Gameware Development - Creatures
GarageGames - Crap, other than the Torque engine licenses
Global Software Publishing - Crap (educational/kids games)
Interplay - Fallout, Freespace... oh hell, does it matter? Aren't these guys bankrupt anyways? Their website doesn't even fucking work, who cares!
Kuma Reality Games - Some AA wannabe called Kumawar
Legacy Interactive - Crap
Max Gaming - Crap (Moon Tycoon anyone?)
O-3 Entertainment - Crap (GTA wannabe)
Riverdeep (aka Broderbund) - Crap (educational)
Skunk Studios - Crap
Vivendi Universal Games - AvP 2, Bard's Tale, CS:Z, Crash Bandicoot, Half-Life series, LOTR, NOLF 1 & 2, Simspons Hit n Run, SWAT 3 & 4, Diablo series, DAoC, Warcraft 3, Starcraft, Middle-Earth Online, WoW, Ghost Master, Empire Earth series, Ground Control series, Homeworld 2
Atari Inc - Civilization series, Driver series, Deer Hunter series (groan), Independence War, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Unreal Tournament series, Enter the Matrix, Wheel of Time, Unreal 2, Moo3, NWN series, Mechwarrior 3
So the only 'real' publishers they have are Atari (kinda), VUG, and Eidos. Add Interplay if they aren't actually dead yet (again? still? whatever). Codemasters, Enlight, and Dreamcatcher might be capable of publishing something decent too, I suppose.
All things considered though, it isn't a very impressive lineup. Their three big names are heavily into other consoles - I suspect their involvment here is just a continuation of their diversification strategy. So the chances of Phantom having a big hit/exclusive (Halo, Mario, etc) are pretty much nil. I mean, unless the Phantom intends to corner the market on educational software, i'm guessing this little ghosty is gonna get pounded into a very, very small niche by the competition.
But we'll see. I intend to sit back and watch the fireworks, whatever they may be.