Playing for the rest of the world.

Small price, small business, big goals: Cheap gaming Zeebo be in digital entertainment emerging bring. A team of only five men developed a device that soon will tap market worth billions - with a cell phone chips instead of high-end hardware.

 

In April it will go. Then, the console Zeebo initially be introduced in Brazil. $ 199, nearly 150 euros, they will cost. The price includes four preinstalled games, and a fifth, which the customers themselves to choose and download. If the console later this year in other countries on the market, the price to 179 dollars, in less than one years at $ 149 even fall.

Sounds like a bargain offer from the electronics supermarket, but it is not. Because here is the new technology toys not found on the shelves. Instead, the aim with the low prices, the new middle class in emerging economies to digital Playing motivation.

This target is estimated Zeebo chief John Rizzio extremely optimistic. There was "potentially a billion new consumers in the world, many of which have never been a game at home had," says the young entrepreneur. The industrialized nations in the usual models, Sony's Playstation 2 or 3, Microsoft's XBox 360 and Nintendo's Wii, for those customers would be simply too expensive. Not only because its part hochgezüchtete hardware costs a lot of money, but primarily because the associated games are much too expensive.

Precisely this problem is to solve Zeebo now - but that does not work now, without sacrificing to make. The show is mainly in the technical equipment of the console. The current competition models has nothing Zeebo oppose. Their skills are somewhere between those of the first two Playstation models from Sony, Rizzio said. This corresponds roughly to the level of 1998. Blame, however, is by no means outdated technology. On the contrary: in the potter Zeebo latest chips. Not just the usual.

The Kindle concept serves as a model

Instead of established PC or console technology to bring the Zeebo developers with the U.S. chip manufacturer Qualcomm together. His technique is otherwise primarily used in mobile phones. And for exactly this area is also the technique of Zeebo. The main feature are Qualcomm MSM chips. The acronym stands for Mobile Station Modem, roughly translated, wireless modem. And that is also shows the difference between the low-priced console in addition to their low performance of established models.

Because the MSM is the Internet access in the quasi Zeebo built. Rather than XBox 360, Wii and PS3 usual, it will be via the cellular network to the Internet. Thus, customers who either do not or just too expensive or too slow network access is available, easily and quickly be brought online.

The fact that this mobile-web access to work, for the console is extremely important. For cost reasons, it was in the Zeebo on a real mass waived. Neither hard nor CD or DVD drive adorn the decorative device. Instead of physical media games via an online connection to the device. This is the Third World, modeled on the console eBook reader Kindle, via the mobile network will be supplied with reading material (this, however, stores).

Cheap games pirated copies

The advantage for the console players: Your access to the so-called Zeebonet is completely free. Neither volume nor monthly fees are due. Conversely, the system requires but a well-developed and functioning mobile infrastructure. According to the manufacturer was in the targeted markets, such as India, China and Brazil, however, already accessible and cheaper to use than wired broadband connections.

In future, this network connection of the users as a standard Internet Zzugang can be used. The Zeebo would like a modem between the PC and operating data. Until then, the network can only be downloaded games. Around ten U.S. dollars per title will be given due, considerably less than the hundred dollars, one for games, according to Rizzio on data pay.

With the low prices will Raubkopierern the water abgegraben be. The developers hope that the comfort, games for small costs directly to the console to load Zeebo customers away, resulting from illegal sources with replenishment supply. Apparently it succeeded Rizzio, a number of game developers of this system to convince. Among other things, Electronic Arts, THQ, Namco and id Software announced Zeebo games.

Replacement for ancient classics

Its graphical presentation is admittedly hardly can keep up with what some of PS3 titles is accustomed. Finally rackert in the low-cost model only faster 528 MHz ARM mobile processor. He is meager 128 MB of RAM and a gigabyte of flash memory to the side. An HD TV will be fun for the game will not need are the graphics capabilities of the integrated 3D chips are already at 640 x 480 pixel resolution exhausted.

That might be for local conditions poor to listen to, be loud Zeebo head Rizzio in emerging countries, but thick enough. As an argument there, he was in Brazil until today Segas Megadrive's most popular video game system - notwithstanding the fact that Sega console in Japan this is already 21 years ago has put in place.

But that's perhaps what the Zeebo the success could bring. Rather than do what is possible, the company has developed a device that only makes what its potential users to exploit. And they are hardly a brand new flat screen televisions and surround systems in their living rooms for you. Instead, it is expected along the banks of the Amazon or near the beaches of Goa rather old, but good tube technology prevail.

It remains only the question whether there actually his days with the game controller in your hand in front of the screen wants to spend - or can.