GDC: New console for emerging markets

By GamesIndustry International Published 24 March, 2009

USD 199 Zeebo uses digi downloads.

The Game Developers Conference yesterday saw the announcement of Zeebo, a 3G wireless games console specifically tailored for the emerging markets, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

The budget console is set to go on sale in Brazil next month for USD 199 - almost one-fifth the price of the leading consoles - with other markets to follow. The disc-less device features a wireless downloadable games service and comes pre-installed with four titles as well as one free download.

"The Zeebo console will deliver a truly engaging and entertaining gaming experience to a potential billion new consumers around the world, many of whom have never experienced gaming in the home," said John Rizzo, CEO of Zeebo.

"The system provides an intuitive, quick, and easy-to-use home shopping user experience featuring popular, culturally optimised content from leading game publishers and developers around the world. It also delivers high-value and warranty protection compared to grey market products with no need for a separate wireless access plan."

The Qualcomm-funded console has partnered with a number of publishers and developers to deliver their titles through the system, including Capcom, Digital Chocolate, EA Mobile, Id Software, Namco and THQ, among others.

"We've had a vision for a wireless videogame console targeted at the special economic and culturally relevant content needs in emerging markets for several years and we're excited to see Zeebo embark on this ambitious new venture," said Mike Yuen, senior director of games and services, Qualcomm.

"Qualcomm has had a long history of enabling our partners with disruptive wireless technologies and services and we look forward to continuing our support of Zeebo."

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Comments (20) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dizzy #1 3 years ago

    Dead in the water.

    So poor people cannot afford a console but can afford uber fast internet connections for streaming?

    Here is more info BTW : Linky. It is running BREW.. strange choice. BREW has good digital distribution features though.

  • Rowlsten #2 3 years ago

    Zeebo? Isn't that the crazy half zebra half cow meat they serve in Wetherspoon's these days?

  • the_inchworm #3 3 years ago

    So the consoles cost $1k in Brazil?

  • GreyBeard #4 3 years ago

    More info/piccies here:

    http://www.zeeboinc.com

  • Redeye #5 3 years ago

    Sounds like high-end mobile phone technology with a few added widgety bits and a half-decent processor, all stuffed into a gamebox (which would explain a few things). And seeing as most of these outfits develop BREW titles anyway, they won't have to muck about too much in order to get stuff onto it.

    All this would theoretically answer Dizzy's point - if the titles are comparatively small in terms of filesize, users won't necessarily need a bonkers net connection.

    However, I have the unfortunate feeling that it's all a bit of a pipedream, and won't really fly. Hope I'm wrong, though.
    Edited by Redeye at 24/03/09 @ 09:53

  • UncleLou #6 3 years ago

    culturally optimised content

    How very Orwellian.

  • sneetch #7 3 years ago

    @the_inchworm
    So the consoles cost $1k in Brazil?

    Yeah and apparently $1k US for some reason.

    I guess W. had time to squeeze in one more war before being booted out of the White House.

  • HolyJebus #8 3 years ago

    "The budget console is set to go on sale in Brazil next month for USD 199 - almost one-fifth the price of the leading consoles"

    I'm a bit confused by this too. Do they mean 199 Brazilian real? Or do normal consoles cost 1000 USD in Brazil for some reason?

  • jmg123 #9 3 years ago

    "Dead in the water.

    So poor people cannot afford a console but can afford uber fast internet connections for streaming? "

    If you actually read the article then you would know that it comes with HSDPA and you don't have to pay for the bandwidth. The $12 is all you pay as the actual downloading to the console over the wireless is free and subscription free.

  • RedSparrows #10 3 years ago

    'culturally optimised content

    How very Orwellian.'

    In that case, all information when passed through discourse is Orwellian ;p

    (but I take the point)

  • Gnort #11 3 years ago

    Interesting idea. The downloadable content model is probably a good way of getting around the rampant piracy you get in underdeveloped markets, and the price per game seems low enough (USD3 to 13 according to the Engadget article) to convince people to buy legal.

    I wonder where apart from Brazil they plan to roll it out?

  • Tomo #12 3 years ago

    The website is actually pretty good and the content is great too. Quake 1 and 2 (:p), Sonic Adventure, FIFA 09 and more.

    Looks interesting this. Came out of nowhere!

  • dr_faulk #13 3 years ago

    This is depressing....

  • dr_faulk #14 3 years ago

    here're teh sp3kz according to Wikipedia:

    * ARM11 / QDSP-5 running at 528Mhz
    * Qualcomm Adreno 130 Graphics Core
    * 1 GByte NAND Flash
    * 160 MB RAM, 128 MBytes DDR SDRAM + 32Mbyte stacked DDR SDRAM in MSM7201A
    * VGA (640 x 480) - 4:3 aspect ratio
    * 3G (scaling back to 2.5G or 2G where necessary)
    * 3 USB ports 2.0 Standard A (for accessories)
    * SD Card Slot / Interface

    * Interface: USB HID
    * Power: AC adapter 5V 3A
    * Consumption: 15 W max.
    * Graphics: 4 million triangles / second
    * Audio: 8 channels simultaneous MP3, ADPCM, MIDI
    * Resolution: 640x480
    * Size: W x D x H - 157 x 215.4 x 44 mm
    * Weight: 1.3kg
    * Sensitivity:
    Edited by dr_faulk at 24/03/09 @ 14:04

  • miiiguel #15 3 years ago

    I t seems that devs get into any train. If that new OnLive thing is labeled as something for real and with future because it's backed up by big publishers this also has success written all over it, no ?

  • mega7ech #16 3 years ago

    "Sounds like high-end mobile phone technology with a few added widgety bits and a half-decent processor"

    Zeebo!?! Sounds like FAIL!

    Well I'm sorry but it does and we all know it will. Gizmondo anyone?...

  • Entity #17 3 years ago

    Rather them than me!

  • Lgmk #18 3 years ago

    Just to clarify some doubts people had, due mainly to taxes the current generation consoles in Brazil costs a lot when bought legally. In fact the only one that is officially supported is the Xbox 360 which costs in a bundle with 3 games (the only form available) about US$1100 (converting the price from BRL to US$), the wii can be bought by official importers for about US$1000, the DS for about US$350 and the PS3 costs at least US$1150. Of course there is a huge gray market of consoles contraband that evades taxes and cost about the same as in the US plus a profit margin, but those have no legal support in the country. Game prices start at around US$90 and even after a long time they hardly go down in price, unless they are re-released, then they can cost about US$50 but donīt go much lower. For comparison you can buy pirate games for the PC or PS2 for about US$4 pretty much anywhere, for the 360, PS3 and wii the pirate copies cost about US$10.

    Edited by Lgmk at 25/03/09 @ 04:02

  • Ryze #19 3 years ago

    I'm interested, as talented devs would be able to compete with the soon to be officially launched PS2, using this thing.

    I expect Wii syndrome, however - especially as the games will be downloaded and there are no DVDs in sight. I expect shovelware from the mobile / iPhone scene.

    I'm definitely interested though. Could be huge in Eastern Europe / Russia, plus the poorer regions of Africa, the Middle East and South America.

  • sneetch #20 3 years ago

    @Lgmk

    Holy crap! Those taxes are insane! Thanks for the explanation.