Panasonic kills Jungle MMO console
"Due to changes in the market."
When Panasonic unveiled its online gaming portable console Jungle in October last year, it said it was "working with leading online game developers to create some exciting new content".
Now, just four months later, it's cancelled it.
Panasonic has dropped development of the Jungle, Reuters reports.
"Panasonic decided to suspend further development due to changes in the market and in our own strategic direction," the company said in a statement.
The project was at odds with president Fumio Ohtsubo's strategy of pursuing growth in areas like environmental technology and healthcare, Reuters suggested.
Jungle was a rugged-looking clamshell portable with a QWERTY keyboard, touch pad and directional pad. It featured HDMI and USB ports and shoulder buttons.
The high-resolution screen was reportedly very impressive and the device was rumoured to run the Linux operating system.
The official site indicated that it would work with SyFy browser-based MMO Battlestar Galactica Online, and the site also mentioned RuneScape.
"We began this journey by asking gamers what they wanted," Panasonic said as part of a 'manifesto'.
"Almost unanimously, we heard calls for online gaming products. Some gamers wanted a handheld, some wanted new content, others new experiences (one dude wanted a tattoo of the Kalphite Queen). In response, the Jungle was born.
"Our mission: Create an ecosystem around online gaming.
"At the core is a new mobile device concept designed specifically for online gamers. We're also working with leading online game developers to create some exciting new content."
Today, the Jungle website is still alive.