Phantom Console

BattleMoose87 · 17 Mar 2013 at 14:25

Who here remembers the mysterious Phantom console from Infinium Labs? This was truly something that was ahead of it's time in so many ways, yet it's ideas are only starting to be implemented in consoles now. Subscription services for games (a la Onlive/Gaikai), HDD as standard, PC like architecture, digital download only titles, free console when signing up to a contract... and this was shown in 2004.

I always thought of it as a huge practical joke but there are a number of videos showing it really existed and could have launched providing the developer raised enough capital. Alas, delay after delay spelled the end for them after not enough financial backing came their way.

In case you need a refresher: http://uk.gamespot.com/news/first-look-the-redesigned-199-phantom-console-6096249

Edit: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/phantom.htm

Kobi · 17 Mar 2013 at 15:13

The console itself looks great, lovely design. I did totally forget about this though, Wonder if it'll ever come back

Rozzy85 · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:18

It would've flopped simply because the world wasn't ready for it. Doesn't matter it being technically superior if the consumer can't use it easily. The reason people buy consoles is because they're simple/easy to use.

Even now an online only service wouldn't work let alone in 2004. They even tried it way back for the Megadrive/SNES and it didn't take off either, albeit more primitive. Imagine the uproar if the PS4 was announced as being online only with no disc drive.

Skeeter · 18 Mar 2013 at 01:09

Rozzy85 said:
Imagine the uproar if the PS4 was announced as being online only with no disc drive.

While it may have a drive, a decent internet connection does appear to still be a must.

And yes, the lack of an infrastructure that could have supported it is what ultimately killed the Phantom. In 2004 I was still on dial up!

edGfaCTor · 18 Mar 2013 at 17:23

I remember when this was first annouced i was at college it sounded great they was pitching it would run all current games console games but then latter on all it looked like was a pc with high price tag.

I think a fair few people was on dial up I know most of my friends at college had to wait until after 6 to go on the net it was funny.

Skeeter · 18 Mar 2013 at 21:13

I always thought that keyboard and mouse controller was a good idea. Has anyone copied it?

almoststew1990 · 18 Mar 2013 at 22:34

My personal favourite is, when talking about the games being download only:

"Lower price: Again, because you're taking manufacturing and distribution costs out of the picture, you cut down significantly on the game distributor's expenses. This means, potentially, Phantom games could cost less than comparable X-Box, GameCube or PlayStation 2 games."

That hasn't worked out very well!

This console is pretty amazing though- but definitely at the wrong time. The service would have been too expensive (I paid £30 a year for xbox live I think? this is £30 a month...) and wouldn't have supported HDTVs at least not properly I don't think. Whilst It had a Component Out slot, it is compared to the PS2 and xbox not 'next-gen'. I'd compare it to the Dreamcast. A bit too far ahead of its time to be accepted and by the time the competators caught up they'd improved the formula.