New Platform launch in 2009 by Tectoy – Zeebo

Gameasutra Interview with COE John Rizzo explains more on Zeebo

by XboxOZ360:

©2009 Grant Smythe:

We knew Apple were seriously thinking of entering the gaming arena in a big way, and the iPhone and iPod Touch have begun that for them, but now a new contestant in the gaming sphere has thrown its hat into the ring. Brazilian manufacturer Tectoy will be releasing the Zeebo during 2009.

A release date of July 2009 has been given for Brazil, but it’s uncertain as to where or if it will see use outside that territory.

Here is some new news from Gamastura during an interview this week (9-Jan 09) with Zeebo Inc. CEO John Rizzo. He explains the whole story of Zeebo and recent plans for the company. Well worth a read.

Yes, odd name, but then so was Wii when it first came out, with many saying it was stupid and would never catch on . . now look at it.

Interview Snippet:

Gamasutra: What’s the market for the console?

JR: “For the moment, our focus is Brazil first, and then Mexico. Then, selected parts of the rest of Latin America. Then a year from now, likely China and/or India. Those are a little bit harder to figure out, because the content in China and India is likely to be very different from content in Brazil. So we need some time to figure out what the content needs to be.

We work with developers in the local countries; I could imagine a Bollywood dance game with a dance pad. That would be fantastic in India, much more sale-able than Prey. Or in China, a game that teaches English as a second language would be really cool and powerful for that market.

It takes a little longer — and then, of course, in China there’s a ban on consoles, per se, that the seven ministries of the government need to lift — and that’s going to take probably six months to a year for that to happen.

Because our business model is one where we want to get a local partner in the country and put their name brand on it as well, that means it takes a little longer to get that all squared away. So, yes, we’re going to those countries as well.”

GS: It’s pretty much designed for an SD set up, right? Not high definition?

JR: “In fact, it’s really more designed for the cheapest, most resilient TVs you can find. [laughter]“

Source: 9th Jan 2009 Gamasutra

Zeebo will be run via an online network system, (ZeeboNet) via the carriers 3G or Edge. Much the same as XboxLIVE or PSN.  The player will be able to buy and download the games, using Z-Credits just like XboxLIVE’s Microsoft Points.

These Z-Credits will be purchased via similar means to XboxLIVe and PSN using Credit Card, Bank Transfer much like the no defunct Phantom, which was put to sleep in late 2007 as a no-show.

According to Tectoy, which established a partnership with Claro to provide the data-only 3G network, the user will be always connected to the wireless network without any fee.

The console is being produced with 12 companies involved, the two main ones being Qualcomm and Tectoy.

Basic Data:

Manufacturer:    Zeebo Inc. (Tectoy and Qualcomm for Tectoy) [1]
Product family: Zeebo
Type: Video game console
Generation: Seventh generation era
Retail availability:    ETA July 2009 in Brazil
Media: Online distribution
CPU: ARM11 clocked at 528Mhz
Storage capacity: 1 GB NAND flash
Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno 130 Graphics Core
Controller input: 6-button dual analog gamepad
Connectivity:

1 SD card slot
3 USB 2.0 ports
3G HSUPA
2.5G Edge
2G GPRS
Online services: ZeeboNet on Claro 3G

Hopefully it may see some use outside Brazile but it is uncertain.

Games:

Zeebo will launch with games such as FIFA 2008, Need for Speed Carbon, Prey, Crash Nitro Kart and Quake. Zeebo will be launched with three games pre-installed — FIFA 2008, Action Hero 3D and Brain Training as standard. The other first wave of games: Prey, Quake and Need for Speed Carbon will be available for download for free, all in Portuguese.

In addition to these titles, Zeebo’s library has more than ten games, all developed for this platform. By the end of 2009L Tectoy expects to have a library of 51 games.

Tecnical Specifications:

The Zeebo console

• ARM 11 / 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: 640×480
• Size: W x D x H – 157 x 215.4 x 44 mm
• Weight: 1.3kg
• Sensitivity: <- 106 dBm (in UMTS)

Operating conditions:

• Temperature: -20 to 55 C (-4 to 131 F)
• Humidity: 95% (40 ºC / 104 ºF)

More info as it comes to hand.

©2009 Grant Smythe:

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