Ah the EVO game console. Remember that interesting little take on “another” type of gaming platform? If not, you wouldn’t be the first, but Envizions did make some considerable waves a few years back when the offered up a Linux based gaming platform, that reportedly “shipped” and then immediately “sold out.” Riiiiiiight. Well it looks like the EVO is showing it’s head again, this time with Android powering the party.
Appropriately titled the EVO 2, Alabama based firm Envisions Computer Entertainment Corporation has recently announced that they’re going to give it a go again, but instead of Linux, eager gamers will find Android under the hood. Envizions is targeting a fall U.S. launch with a select European launch to follow thereafter.
From a hardware POV, the EVO 2 promises a Samsung 1.2 GHz processor, 512 MB of DDR2 RAM, as well as an EVO TV remote, and naturally a game controller. And if the PS3 slim is still shoehorned in/on/above your amp, DVD player, etc., you’ll be happy to know that the EVO offers up big promises in a tiny package, with svelte dimensions of only 17cm x 11 cm x 3 cm (or 6.6 in x 4 in x 1 in). And while this hardware package is nothing truly groundbreaking, Envizions is already looking down the road, and has indicated that they’ll be adding 3D motion sensor capabilities by the end of this year. Assuming that the device actually ships, and doesn’t mysteriously “sell out.”
Running on what Envizions is dubbing a “modified” version of Android 2.2, the EVO 2 will be the first gaming console of it’s kind. Obviously with an Android powered OS, this provides gamers with a real-time gaming playlist, as well as social friends connectivity.
The MSRP of $249 falls right in line with competitors in the marketplace, but can they offer the same bells as whistles as Sony and Microsoft? Probably not, but that’s exactly what Envizions is banking on. By making the console of the “open” variety, I would imagine that Envizions is trying to capture the market that’s tired of “illegally” modding their consoles, only to get the smackdown from “The Man” every time a system update comes along. And this is just fine and dandy with Envizions. Applying the same magic, the EVO 2 is (or will be) the first crowd sourced gaming console. Envizions will let the community in on the overall direction of the console via Twitter and Facebook, as well as the EVO 2 web platform. To be sure, they’re not letting the vast majority of us in on which circuit goes where, but rather, launch location, hardware color, package design, and product image are all up for grabs.
To get the ball rolling in terms of content, Envizions has already posted their SDK, but require an annual fee of $149 for software support. A fair-enough price, provided that the system and company can deliver on their promises. To sweeten the deal, the first 1000 developers that apply for the program, will have their annual fee waved.
“Game development for EVO 2 is cheaper for developers so they have the opportunity to create games on a platform that will increase their return on investment. Developers can also submit pre-existing Android games”, comments Envizions Founder and CEO Derrick Samuels, in a statement.
Again, this isn’t the first time that Envizions has created quite a buzz with their “non-traditional” offerings. I for one, would love to see this become a reality, as market competition only breeds benefits for us, the end consumer. And speaking of alternatives….one has to wonder if the folks at Envizions aren’t already thinking about, or in talks with one of the major cloud based gaming services, as the crossovers are bound to happen. So who’ll grab Envizions first? Gaikai? OnLive? Playcast?
Cloud computing has seen a steady increase over the past few years. As SaaS platforms and downloadable content are becoming the norm rather than the exception, there are a number of gaming industry related firms trying to bridge this gap as well. Thus far, there are two main players, Palo Alto based OnLive and Los Angeles based Gaikai.
Perry has previously said that Gaikai’s servers will “end up in rings” around OnLive’s servers. That may be the case, but OnLive’s director of media and games development Joe Bentley says that he has yet to see Gaikai working in a real world environment. Yes, Perry had a number of streaming games on display (we’ve already seen WoW on an iPad courtesy of Gaikai), but with one small hitch. Perry was demoing the technology with a server in the same room. OnLive’s servers are 400 miles to the north, and currently serving more than just one user.
This Sony/HBO deal marks the first time that HBO content is available for purchase (Menu>TV Shows>Networks>HBO) on any gaming system within the U.S. And while a great step forward, it appears as though Sony is still playing catch-up with Microsoft’s Xbox, which while not offering HBO, has a massive amount of consumable entertainment available to it’s users, and of course, the massive content beast that is iTunes. No, iTunes itself is not a gaming system, but chances are, you can play games on the device that you run iTunes from.
….and in other ‘content in the cloud’ news, cloud based video game streaming service Gaikai has recently announced an influx of $10M+ from a series B investment round. TriplePoint Capital, Rustic Canyon Partners, and series A leaders, Benchmark Capital have all contributed. Gaikai has also received investment funds from an un-named partner.
