Infinium Labs Phantom Unveiled In August 23
Jerek Dain writes "GameSpy.com has an article about the Phantom console from Infinium Labs with some new information. Apparently it will make its big debut (complete with proof of its existence) at the Ultimate Gamers Expo in August. But from the sound of things, can it really compete with gamers' PCs?" Of course, our previous story on the Phantom mentioned prototypes would be available in March, but we suppose delays never hurt anyone, as long as a product has good support and decent game quality when it does ship?
not a chance! (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:not a chance! (Score:3, Flamebait)
Re:not a chance! (Score:1)
Ha! Not so! (Score:2, Insightful)
I think there *is* room for a 'fourth' console.
Its just that it had better Seriously Kick Ass if it wants to compete.
Frankly, looking at the existing stock, I can think of at least 10 ways a new 'under the radar' console could compete.
Come on. Does *nobody* remember the actual lessons of MSX? eh?
Okay, I'll give you a hint:
a) There will *always* be a 'dying' console in the console war. Work on the *games*, not the 'marketing'.
Here's another:
b) He who has the most software, wins
Re:not a chance! (Score:2)
Well, to be fair, these guys do have an interesting angle. Games are downloaded instead of installed via CD. The result is that they won't need to compete with shelf space against the other systems. This also means that even the oldest games would be available in a huge list.
That said, I'm not sure how they're going to gain any popularity. Problem number 1 is w
There's always Penny Arcade's take... (Score:4, Insightful)
Until I see some evidence that somebody has actually *seen* or *touched* this wonder console that does everything, it's pretty much my take, too.
Chris Mattern
Internet games (Score:1)
E3 (Score:2, Informative)
Fail... (Score:1, Informative)
Besides, I really doubt the libary of stuff they claim to have. Unless the console is just a Windows box, I really doubt they will get all of the PC games ever published on that thing.
Can you imagine the kinds of work that will be needed to get the OK from every publisher, company, etc to put
I can't help but wonder (Score:4, Funny)
Phantoms at E3 (Score:2, Interesting)
Delays? (Score:1, Flamebait)
Unless of course we're talking about Microsoft; then we rant and rave and scream FUD and vaporware.
Re:Delays? (Score:3, Funny)
the whole concept looked like some ceo's wet dream that was inspired by mixed usage of cocaine and hemp.
yeah, the pennyarcade strip about it pretty much sums it up: 'woah'.
Re:Delays? (Score:1)
Re:Delays? (Score:2)
We also become candidates for a Pulitzer when we describe how Microsoft will take over the world with the XBOX.
Anyone Noticed? (Score:1)
You have to be curious why someone would jump into a market (especially the video game market which has companies good at what they do (read: Sega)) forcing themselves into bad situations.
Are they just ignoring the facts? Or do they know something
Re:Anyone Noticed? (Score:2, Insightful)
There are, as yet, completely untapped *millions* of consumers for products/devices like these - game consoles first, microwave ovens next, etc. - and as current generations grow families, the market is growing faster than we are keeping pace with it.
Its a fact often overlooked by computer geeks, but the plain truth of
There is room for a Fourth Console (maybe) (Score:1)
If you look at the console market as one big pie, the pie is actually getting bigger (i.e. greater revenues for each console, game publishing company)
The size of the pie does not remain the same, and it is a wrong to assume that as one console enters the market each "piece of the pie" by the other already present consoles diminishes.
In reference to my second sentence imagine what revenues f
Discless Consoles are the Future (Score:3, Interesting)
The model will be that you buy the console for cheap, discounted if you pre-pay for N months of coverage with the associated online service. I tend to think there will be a variety of subscription models from 'pay as you play' to 'all you can play'.
The software companies will deal with the console manufacturers and their servers to get their software loaded on a system. They can do things like bug fixes and other sorts of updates seamlessly. Even if a title flops, there's a greater chance for the problems with the game to be fixed and a new version uploaded.
Oh yes. Piracy becomes a lot harder. Software companies will love that. Region enforcement is an interesting issue, though in theory the servers can determine the incoming IP address and place the region its coming from.
The consoles will be cheaper and more reliable because there's no moving parts in them. That means a lot in the console business where even ten bucks in the hardware costs can add up.
The big downside is that once the servers are shut down, the box becomes junk. Of course the companies might find a way to turn PCs into servers once they're no longer interested in running their own. The software companies selling the games will be interested in that to make a second round of profits. First you rent the game and then when the console is dead, sell the game a last time to the enthusiasts.
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
What a farce (Score:3, Insightful)
"As for the hardware itself, Phantom will use mostly standard PC parts", says the article. Well, we all know what that means: big and expensive! It's all very well if you're Microsoft and can afford to sell a console at a loss after wasting money putting unnecessarily general-purpose components into it. But some startup reckons they can do it? Ludicrous. There may or may not be room for a 4th console in the market, but there's never been room for a "console" built out of standard PC components, produced by a company with no reputation to lure developers and no billions in the bank to buy into the market.