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.
OnLive, which was rolled out in March of 2009, spend seven years in development, and the official launch of the service in the U.S. will commence this summer, following an ongoing successful beta trial. That’s not to say that the OnLive folks have been focused solely on American shores, as CEO Steve Perlman confirms that OnLive has been testing the service in the EU since 2009, with a data center already up and running in Wales. OnLive has been tested all over Europe, ranging from the U.K. to Italy, Scandinavia to Spain.
Perlman describes the OnLive Game Portal as a companion to the full blown OnLive experience. Slated to launch ‘sometime’ this year, the OnLive Game Portal will offer a unique service – users can take advantage of OnLive’s streaming (cloud) service, allowing them to rent individual games and access demos. OnLive used the GDC platform to announce their full featured launch on June 17th, and will require a $14.95 monthly subscription fee. This subscription fee does not include the price of the games themselves. Perlman’s goal with this service is to offer ‘on-the-fence’ gamers access to the service, encouraging them to take the plunge and lay down their $15/month if they find the service of value.
