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Gizmondo's Spectacular Explosion

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the booom dept.

Over at Wired, Randall Sullivan writes about the spectacular breakup of Gizmondo. The discussion of the short-lived portable console's reign begins, of course, with the well-known car accident: a perfect metaphor for an imploding company. The article goes on to discuss the sordid past of Bo Stefan Eriksson, and how his role with Gizmondo never stopped his collusion with some of society's more sordid elements. From the article: "It wasn't long before Eriksson imported his wingmen from the Uppsala Mafia. Johan Enander, who had served more than two years for crimes including grand theft and extortion, handled security for Gizmondo functions. Peter Uf, who had spent more than five years in prison for fraud, was named a Gizmondo director. The company opened a glass-fronted corporate headquarters next to Farnborough Airport, and expensive Ferraris and McLarens dotted the parking lot. To add to the glitter, in 2004 Gizmondo purchased a 75 percent interest in a London modeling agency called Isis, ensuring that there would be plenty of beautiful young women at its parties and events."

3 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Ever get cut off by some yuppie jerk by BeeBeard · · Score: 4, Interesting

    driving some ostentatious ride for the tiny-penised, and you secretly wished horrible things upon him? Well now your retribution can be realized--look no further. The wreckedexotics.com site, referenced in the article, is just amazing.

  2. You mean this? by BeeBeard · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is just genius. Can we say organized crime-backed money laundering schemes?

  3. This would make a great movie by British · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If this whole story would be made into a movie, I would go see it. Forget the video game angle, the whole swindling of money and wooing investors is a good enough plotline for me. It could be done in circular time, with a wrecked Ferarri Enzo and an officer to the scene. Then it unfolds.

    On a side note, I noticed the names of the launch games, one being "Mommy, Can I mow the Lawn?". That just seemed to ridiculous to be a serious launch title. Sounds like it was made up to tell investors off. I can picture in the office:
      "uh, yeah, we have, um, a launch title or 2 for the Gizmondo. It's called uh (looks outside office window), Mommy, can I mow the lawn? Total PSP killer!".

    I read the whole 6-page spiel and was more entertained by the whole scam story than the game console itself. The same can be applied for the Phantom console.

    So, any other scam artists want to release a game console?