Phantom

[garfield hates mondays]

The next gen console from Infinium Labs. Anyone else hear about this??

found this at gamespy:

Entering into the console market with a new system is a grueling task. Microsoft -- with its boundless resources -- has had to work extremely hard to make the Xbox the number two system. Indrema barely caused a buzz and went out with a whimper with its Indrema Entertainment System. Infinium Labs thinks it has a real shot with its Phantom console. Eschewing the disc-based model that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo follow, the Phantom is a machine that's tethered to a unique online service that lets you sample and buy games through the Internet.

Since Phantom games are downloaded directly from the Internet, publishers save on packaging and distribution costs. The company believes that this simplicity will make its system attractive to publishers. It compares the exorbitant costs of bringing millions of DVDs or games to store shelves with the ease of uploading content to a server.


The simplicity is even more apparent to the gamer. No longer will console owners have to trek to a store to purchase a game. Not only will players be able to purchase games online, but they'll be able to try them out as well. Infinium is planning two rental packages. The first will allow you to try out a game for three to seven days. The other will let you try out a group of games for a month; groupings would be by publisher, by genre, or user selected. The company is still nailing down the specifics of its rental scheme.

As for the hardware itself, Phantom will use mostly standard PC parts. The chassis will look similar to current Dell cases, but will be customized for living-room use. The unit is slated to come with a controller, mouse, and keyboard. Wireless connectivity is likely to be an option. In the future, owners will be able to upgrade the unit's hard drive and RAM.

There are numerous partnerships that the company is working on. The most obvious are publisher relationships that should result in exclusive content. Since the device is meant for broadband use, there are potential affiliations with cable and DSL providers. Initially the hardware will be available only on Infinium's site, but there's a chance that you'll see some branded models from well-known electronics manufacturers. Lastly, there's the possibility that you'll be seeing the machine in hotels and centers for location-based entertainment. If the company has its way you'll be rocking the Phantom at your next visit to The W or Dave & Busters.


Phantom's big coming out party will be this August at the Ultimate Gamers Expo (UGE). The company said it will likely reveal its entire board of directors, publisher relationships (including games), hardware specifications, and more. It's debating whether or not to reveal the price during UGE, but will certainly do so before its Q1 2004 release.

There are still too many unknowns regarding the Phantom. Many of my peers are using the machine as a punch line, while others see it as an elaborate joke. It's difficult competing with the "big three," but if Infinium can pull off the unique purchasing opportunities intrinsic to the Phantom and if it can get quality exclusive games, there's a chance it could shake things up.

[garfield hates mondays]

Interesting idea with the no cd/ dvd thing...
not sure theres any room for it on the market, though.

[Josh]

Yeah, sounds like it would be cool...

but the market is flooded and they don't have the marketing money to throw at the world to even BEGIN to compete with the big three.

They shouldn't even bother... which is kinda a shame, but true.

Even Microsoft has had trouble getting exclusive developers, what chance do they have? None.

[garfield hates mondays]

Thats what I'm thinking...