Android gaming, its going to explode? Meet the EVO 2 Android set top console

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/evo-2-console-promises-to-bring-android-gaming-to-your-tv-this-f/


Saw this over at Engadget. Have to see where it goes, depends on the pricing. Cheaper games, with better controls(controller) than a touch screen, combined with full digital downloads of relatively small game sizes, and fairly powerful hardware, looks like it might be worth a look. Keep this console in the impulse buy price range, and it'll attract developers. Especially if any9ne who can code for Android can make a game for it. Not sure I like the Evo tokens though, seems like the same crap as Bioware Points, XBL Points, etc. Just let me enter my VISA # and charge the direct $$ amount, skip that pointless middle step.

As for the console itself, it will apparently pack an unspecified 1.2GHz Samsung processor, a "modified" Android 2.2 OS, and both a TV remote and game controller. Leaving no stone unturned, Envisions says it's also planning to add a motion sensor by the end of the year, and it even has its own points system in mind that will let you buy Android games with "EVO tokens." As you might suspect, however, there's still no word on a price for consumers, but those willing to take a chance can reserve one now for $15 at the link below.

Edit - Also, how does Sprint feel about them using the name 'EVO'? Or are they affiliated with Sprint?

 

[gsaldivar]

Sprint is going to smack them down as soon as they get wind of this... 😀

That being said, I think it's a great idea.

 

[Bateluer]

Sprint is going to smack them down as soon as they get wind of this... 😀

That being said, I think it's a great idea.

Just checked their site.

http://store.envizionsinc.com/gamebox-console-powered-by-android-pre-order.html

Nvidia graphics,

802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi

Support HDMI

Five USB ports

TOSLINK /Optical Audio output

S/PDIF

Odd. Engadget said a dual core Samsung chip . . . Exynos? But combined with Nvidia graphics? Wonder if this box has anything to do with all the Tegra chips that Samsung supposedly bought a while back?

They are taking preorders though, for a 15 dollar fee. Not exactly a lot, but I'd be hesitant to commit without knowing 1)the final price of the unit, 2) a more firm ship date, and 3)what games will I be looking forward to?

 

[Sheep]

They are taking preorders though, for a 15 dollar fee. Not exactly a lot, but I'd be hesitant to commit without knowing 1)the final price of the unit, 2) a more firm ship date, and 3)what games will I be looking forward to?

The Engadget article suggested a MSRP of $249.

The games have to be relatively cheap and plentiful and not lousy ports from the phones/tablet versions. If not, this thing's dead in the water regardless of what OS it runs.

 

[Bateluer]

The Engadget article suggested a MSRP of $249.

The games have to be relatively cheap and plentiful and not lousy ports from the phones/tablet versions. If not, this thing's dead in the water regardless of what OS it runs.

I agree. 249 isn't a bad price, IMO. Keep in mind, you can get a dev box for free, with a $150 annual fee. Thats a pretty low price of entry compared to an Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii. For that price, most anyone with a knowledge of Android programming or a desire to learn it, could get in on it. Could lead to a rash of crappy games though, but also some really really good ones because they aren't sucking on EA's meth-laced tit. Having said that, I hope there's at least some form of QA process for games before Joe Smith, App Developer, can put his games on the store.

 

[Sheep]

I agree. 249 isn't a bad price, IMO. Keep in mind, you can get a dev box for free, with a $150 annual fee. Thats a pretty low price of entry compared to an Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii. For that price, most anyone with a knowledge of Android programming or a desire to learn it, could get in on it. Could lead to a rash of crappy games though, but also some really really good ones because they aren't sucking on EA's meth-laced tit. Having said that, I hope there's at least some form of QA process for games before Joe Smith, App Developer, can put his games on the store.

Good point about the cost of entry, but I foresee a situation like the Xbox Live Indie Games section. IMO the very top tier of games there can hold their own against XBLA releases. However 99% of the Indie Games section is complete crap not even worth a trial, a far, far worse quality:crap ratio than for XBLA or full price retail games just because the cost of entry is so low.

 

[alent1234]

unless this thing can stream netflix and play other media it's dead on arrival. once the next gen consoles come out if the next x-box plays blu ray i'll dump my PS3 and just have one box connected to my tv to play games, netflix, youtube, etc

 

[s44]

They need to find a name that's not lawsuit-bait for me to believe this is going to go anywhere.

 

[Red Storm]

lol, $250? Good luck with that.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

If it's 250, I can just get a 360 or PS3...

 

[Deeko]

Why on earth would I buy a game console that is pathetically underpowered compared to "real" consoles - and costs just as much? You can get an Xbox 360 for $199! I realize the low barrier of entry for developers is a cool concept and all...but its a terrible concept for consumers. XBL-indie is a better option for this kind of thing....

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Also, just because there is this set top box doesn't mean that the games for it will translate to the mobile phone or tablet.

 

[purbeast0]

$250 to play games on a TV that are of tablet/phone quality in low res?

i think i'll stick to my xbox360 and ps3.

 

[vshah]

Why on earth would I buy a game console that is pathetically underpowered compared to "real" consoles - and costs just as much? You can get an Xbox 360 for $199! I realize the low barrier of entry for developers is a cool concept and all...but its a terrible concept for consumers. XBL-indie is a better option for this kind of thing....

probably sometime next year phones will have as much gpu horsepower as the "real" consoles....that's what I'm really looking forward to

 

[Deeko]

probably sometime next year phones will have as much gpu horsepower as the "real" consoles....that's what I'm really looking forward to

Even if a year from now there's a mobile SoC that is as powerful as the 7 year old XBox 360...what motivation would I have to buy a console based off it rather than just buying the regular console?

Yes - it will be nice to have that kind of power in phones. But I just can't understand why you'd buy it in a console.

 

[Bateluer]

Even if a year from now there's a mobile SoC that is as powerful as the 7 year old XBox 360...what motivation would I have to buy a console based off it rather than just buying the regular console?

Yes - it will be nice to have that kind of power in phones. But I just can't understand why you'd buy it in a console.

Better controls?

 

[Deeko]

Better controls?

Are you referring to that Evo 2 controller that looks like a cheap MadCatz 360 knockoff?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Better controls?

Looks like they're using a generic Madkatz controller or something. Probably worse than the Xbox 360 controller.

This is the stupidest idea ever, there aren't many good games for Android, it's overpriced, it's less powerful than the current gen consoles, it won't have a cool gimmick like the Wii, and the name is ripping off another Android device so they're practically guaranteed to be sued.

If I want to play dumb simple games I can do that on my phone. If I didn't have a smartphone I could do it on Facebook, Newgrounds, etc. There's no reason for this thing to exist.

EDIT: Wow, this thing actually looks good compared to their previous attempt. Their last one was a Linux-based console (lol, Linux gaming) with an ATI HD3200 (lol) and cost $400 (double lol). And the only game it came with was Tux Racer (triple lol). And there is no mention of it having existed anywhere on their website, so I can only assume it never got any more games.

 

[akugami]

I know it's Android based and the title is technically correct but I hope I'm not the only one seeing the available information and saying that it's another console system. It just happens to be based on Android. I don't think you can call this "Android gaming" in the sense that it's gaming on Android phones/tablets. It's similar to how you can't really say Mac OSX and iOS are open source software even though they're both based on Free BSD Unix.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I know it's Android based and the title is technically correct but I hope I'm not the only one seeing the available information and saying that it's another console system. It just happens to be based on Android. I don't think you can call this "Android gaming" in the sense that it's gaming on Android phones/tablets. It's similar to how you can't really say Mac OSX and iOS are open source software even though they're both based on Free BSD Unix.

Where are the games going to come from? They don't just materialize out of thin air.

And it has a mobile phone processor. It might be a little better than what you'd typically get from a mobile phone since there aren't battery life concerns, but it really doesn't matter since no Android games are really that demanding anyway.

 

[akugami]

Where are the games going to come from? They don't just materialize out of thin air.

And it has a mobile phone processor. It might be a little better than what you'd typically get from a mobile phone since there aren't battery life concerns, but it really doesn't matter since no Android games are really that demanding anyway.

I did note that it was from the available information. It's not entirely clear how this Android console will be marketed. But my speculation from the available information was that this was going to be the same as traditional consoles in that it requires purchase of a console unit. A console unit might possibly be an add-on set that can sync to your Android phone or tablet but the first Evo game console was a standalone unit and it'd be more likely that was the case here.

The games might be easily ported to the Evo Android console from "regular" Android but it'll require some work. There is a SDK that you have to specifically use to port/program games to the Evo Android console.

Most Android phones and tablets are primarily controlled through the touch based interface. This Evo Android console looks like the primary input for the games is going to be through the controller. So we're going to have a conflict in the primary input method. But even if the games can be ported to Android in general, it's going to require a separate controller purchase.

It's pure speculation but judging from the available information, this looks like it's another console. Yes, it happens to be based on Android. However, if it's as closed as other consoles then this doesn't help gaming on Android at all. Again, speculation and as more information is released we'll get a clearer idea of how this will all shake out but as it currently stands, this doesn't seem to be of any great benefit to gaming on Android which is what the OP's thread title would suggest.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Good points.

Still wondering who'd be interested in throwing development time behind a completely unproven console that costs more than two of the big three current gen consoles. Especially when the company selling the console has already tried and failed miserably, to the point where they don't even acknowledge its existence.

 

[Deeko]

Most Android phones and tablets are primarily controlled through the touch based interface. This Evo Android console looks like the primary input for the games is going to be through the controller. So we're going to have a conflict in the primary input method. But even if the games can be ported to Android in general, it's going to require a separate controller purchase.

This is not a new phenomenon. Many games have the option to be controlled via touch or via the hardware keyboard/trackball/touchpad. The Playstation phone has a game controller. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some sort of mapping going on.

 

[Bateluer]

Looks like they're using a generic Madkatz controller or something. Probably worse than the Xbox 360 controller.

This is the stupidest idea ever, there aren't many good games for Android, it's overpriced, it's less powerful than the current gen consoles, it won't have a cool gimmick like the Wii, and the name is ripping off another Android device so they're practically guaranteed to be sued.

The bolded statement has been proven wrong time and time again, in every single thread its been brought up in. Please stop repeating it. It really makes you look like you live in the G1 days. Its 2011 now, Android has hundreds of excellent games.

On topic though, I'm pretty sure Sprint/HTC will make them change the name. Marketing guys need to be smacked for picking a name that obviously wouldn't go anyway.

Also, the controller and the device pictures are renders, mock ups. Obviously, all console controllers suck compared to a full KB/mouse, but if the device uses a standard USB port or has bluetooth, then you've got plenty of options for controllers.

 

[badb0y]

The bolded statement has been proven wrong time and time again, in every single thread its been brought up in. Please stop repeating it. It really makes you look like you live in the G1 days. Its 2011 now, Android has hundreds of excellent games.

On topic though, I'm pretty sure Sprint/HTC will make them change the name. Marketing guys need to be smacked for picking a name that obviously wouldn't go anyway.

Also, the controller and the device pictures are renders, mock ups. Obviously, all console controllers suck compared to a full KB/mouse, but if the device uses a standard USB port or has bluetooth, then you've got plenty o f options for controllers.

I noticed that Android has many good games but a lot of those aren't even supported on my Atrix, don't know about other devices but I was pretty mad when I couldn't play Dungeon Hunters 2 🙁 .