Zeebo console to offer 3G game downloads

Zeebo, a new game console aimed at the growing middle class in developing countries, provides 3G game downloads in a bid to stop game piracy at the source.

Zeebo console to offer 3G game downloads

Is this the new face of game consoles?

READ: OnPlay: the end of console gaming?

More GDC 2009 coverage:


UPDATE:In a meeting on Monday, Zeebo representatives confirmed that the console would not be seeing a release in North America anytime soon. Instead, the Zeebo is aimed at the growing middle class in developing countries where traditional broadband internet access is scarce -- countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Russia. In these countries, 3G cellphone signals are often the best bet for internet access. The Zeebo itself is constructed out of cellphone-style processors (the very same featured in Google Android cellphones), so it isn't exactly a speed demon. Still, with its PlayStation 1.5-style graphics, it gets the job done and has room to grow. We watched a brief demo of the original Quake (id Software and Activision join Capcom and EA in providing gaming content), and it looked just fine but was hampered by the 480i signal (the Zeebo only outputs in composite cables). Multiplayer gaming is possible, but must be employed craftily by game developers as heavy 3G traffic would be burdensome to Zeebo Inc.

Original article follows.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Today, Zeebo, Inc officially announced its upcoming Zeebo console, which will enable players to download all games over a wireless 3G signal, the same high-speed connection used by popular smartphones such as the iPhone 3G. The Zeebo is aimed at the growing group of middle-class consumers. The Zeebo website claims it will launch next month in Brazil in "limited quantities." The Brazil launch in April will "be followed by broader rollouts in Latin America, Asia and beyond," the website states, hinting at a North American release. UPDATE: Zeebo Inc confirmed to GamePro that the Zeebo will not see a North American release date "anytime soon."

Judging by the few tech specs we have seen, the Zeebo doesn't appear to be a graphics powerhouse like the PS3 or the Xbox 360. Important details such as controller features, launch game lineup, and pricing specifics (including possible 3G data plan subscription fees) are also unknown as this time. But based on the press release, it's apparent that Zeebo is aimed to be an affordable, mainstream game console. So far, Capcom, EA, Namco, and THQ headline third-party support, but that may change as more information is made publicly available.

We'll have more details on the Zeebo as we attend GDC 2009 this week. Check back for updates!

Full Zeebo press release follows.

Zeebo Wireless Videogame Console Provides Publishers and Developers With 3G Wireless Distribution, Direct Access to Consumers and Lower Development Costs

SAN FRANCISCO, March 23 -- Leading game publishers and developers from around the world signaled their continued support for Zeebo, the first affordable 3D videogame console designed specifically for emerging global markets. The innovative console will launch in Brazil next month. The console features secure 3G wireless game delivery and addresses the special requirements of these regions where current generation videogame consoles are expensive for the middle class and software piracy is rampant.

The Zeebo system provides a new approach for both publishers and developers looking to extend their footprint into emerging markets, including:

-Secure 3G wireless distribution of digital content designed to overcome lost revenues from rampant piracy
-Simple, intuitive wireless shopping mall making it easy for consumers to discover and purchase content
-giving publishers and developers direct access to a potential one billion consumers in the emerging middle class
-Shorter development cycle as well as lower marketing costs

"The Zeebo console is the first gaming system to foster the development and monetization of branded and culturally relevant content by preventing piracy through secure 3G wireless game delivery and monetization," said Reinaldo Normand, Zeebo founder and head of developer relations. "Zeebo is attacking the serious issue of videogame piracy in emerging markets head on by giving publishers and developers a secure method to offer their content directly to emerging market consumers around the world."

"Zeebo is combining a strong and disruptive concept with great partners and a sensible target market," said Trip Hawkins, CEO of Digital Chocolate. "Billions of consumers in a new 'Omni Media' market now understand digital content distribution, and it is a convenient business and consumer shortcut to use 3G wireless networks to support a game console. We know that consumers in these markets love games like Tower Bloxx and we appreciate that this technology model is a good way to securely monetize the business."

"Ideaworks3D is happy to announce plans for Airplay to support Zeebo," said Alex Caccia, CEO, Ideaworks3D. "Airplay is the platform behind such high profile games as Resident Evil: Degeneration, Metal Gear Solid Mobile, Pandemonium, Dirge of Cerebus Lost Episode - Final Fantasy VII, Project Gotham Racing Mobile, and more. We look forward to providing both publishers and developers with a low-cost and turn-key solution to bring their most trusted brands to this exciting new console platform via Airplay."

"Zeebo is enabling a refreshing change of pace for videogame development," said Andreas Vasen, CEO, Machineworks Northwest LLC. "Porting Prey:Evil to the Zeebo platform required significantly less time and resources compared to traditional console development, and did not require the pain of porting to literally thousands of devices in order to release a title via a more traditional wireless carrier's handset deck."

Additional publishers and developers actively supporting the Zeebo console platform include Capcom, Com2uS, EA Mobile, Gameloft, Glu, Namco Networks and THQ.

For more information on the Zeebo videogame console please visit www.zeeboinc.com.

THE VERDICT by Sid Shuman Sid Shuman's Avatar

A new console in this economic climate? All I have to say is, "good luck." But there are some cool features here, such as the 3G internet connectivity. 3G is still in its infancy; in 5 years, it may be the dominant mode of wireless internet transmission. In any event, Zeebo signals some interesting changes in the game industry. What do you think?

Comments [49]

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weinymew

wired controllers? ugg. this will sell as well as my kids leapster and get used just as often(never)

322226
heywoodjablome

seems like its going to be a console similar to the virtual console, playstation store and xbox live marketplace. download short cheap and fun games. good luck in north america i doubt it will take off because of the 3 consoles listed above and even if it is a cheap alternative people who do not own a console yet probably already have their mind set on one of the big 3

tparsons5150

weinymew wrote:

wired controllers? ugg. this will sell as well as my kids leapster and get used just as often(never)

I doutb this will ever even get released officially in North Americab

themave

This could be a big disruptive console, being introduced in Brazil, means it is going to be cheap. probably a third the cost of the wii, and appealing to mostly the same market, the casual gamer, if this came to the US at a $100 price point it would sell like hotcakes. If it is priced at $200 plus, it would never be able to justify getting it over a wii or 360 arcade for just a bit more. Listen to some of comments above, that is the same thing these same people say about the wii. and look how well it is doing

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