By now I hope you’ve read our interview/preview with the developers of the Phantom console. I’m really quite proud that we were able to snag that exclusively, and I must say, talking with the company’s COO actually did make me think that the hardware is going to come out after all. Now whether it’s successful or not…. There are still a lot of questions Infinium Labs has to answer, particularly the logistics of downloading games when the system doesn’t include a Web browser. And then there are the questions about the games themselves. Security will also be an interesting issue, since the system’s lack of a CD or DVD drive doesn’t necessarily limit people’s access to what’s presumably a hackable hard drive. But the company is most definitely thinking outside the box.
I’ve got to say that delivering console games via a broadband connection is an intriguing idea. And I have a feeling it’s eventually where console gaming will go. Follow the steps with me here. Xbox has downloadable content via Xbox Live, but much, if not all, of the same content is going to also be available via the Official Xbox Magazine game disks. Microsoft is smart in this sense, because they’re not forcing people to download content online. As gamers see the convenience of the downloadable content, though, they’ll begin to move toward broadband distribution rather than “hard” distribution via disks. It’s a baby step toward digitial distribution, and it’s most likely gentle enough that consumers will go for it. The PS2 doesn’t have the same downloadable model, but with the PS3’s cell technology and (presumably) a harddrive, its distributed-computing-like structure will probably lend itself toward digital distribution of games at some point as well.
Anyway, back to the Phantom. Infinium Labs is making a pretty bold move in saying that game distribution will only be available via a broadband connection. Rather than the gentle way Microsoft is leading consumers to the future, Infinium Labs is telling consumers “hey, this is where we’re headed, so we’re leaving now. You gonna follow?” It’s about as subtle as a slap in the face with a Pike Street salmon. What’s most surprising to me, though, is that Infinium Labs has remained so quiet on the specs. And they’re not going to be at E3. I’m hoping we’ll have more fleshed-out information about the nitty gritty details in the months ahead, because I’m really intrigued by how this is going to turn out.
Speaking of E3, I’m excited as hell about the conference this year. For starters, it’s the first one we’ll cover for DailyGame, so that in itself is going to be fun. But I think we’re going to have some great announcements as well. We all know about Halo 2, Doom 3 and the other anticipated games, but I have a feeling that every console and PC publisher is going to have some big news. Microsoft, for example, has increased its marketing presence at E3 from its original numbers, and they’ve got a few titles in the pipeline that nobody’s even heard about. Plus, with the recent UK price drop, I wouldn’t be surprised if we heard of a North-American price drop either Monday the 12th or one week before E3.
As far as Sony’s concerned, don’t be surprised if they beat Microsoft to the price-drop punch (if, indeed, a price drop happens from either company). Remember last year? Sony rained on Microsoft’s parade, although it was slightly less prepared from a retailer-awareness standpoint. I mean, it’s hard to sell your console for less if retailers don’t all know what’s going on. PS2 games this year should show that the system is still a contender, and we might even hear some additional mumblings about the PS3. I’m not going to hold my breath on that one, though.
Nintendo, well, they’re a quiet company, but they have a knack for coming out with guns blazing at trade shows. I’m anticipating more news on their online initiatives, but other than that, I don’t have a clue what to expect. I honestly think that’s part of the reason Nintendo wins so many awards at trade shows. Media just don’t know what to expect, so whatever they show at E3 and other events still has that “wow factor” when it’s time to give out awards. How often did you get a Christmas gift as a child and love it for a week or two, then watch it gather dust in the weeks that followed? A lot, I imagine. That’s not to say Nintendo doesn’t have some great games; in fact, they come out with some stellar titles. I’m just saying that it’s hard to know what they’re bringing to LA in May.
That’s where we are today, folks. We’re going to be launching our E3 subsite in the weeks ahead, and we’ll be posting news, previews, interviews, hands-on impressions and other goodies there before the show and while we’re there. We’ve got some great appointments already lined up at the show, so stay tuned for some fantastic coverage. I guarantee. If you have any thoughts about this article or special requests for E3, send me an email.
