Brazil doesn't immediately jump to mind as a hotspot for gaming. Still, people have to keep themselves entertained somehow.
A new videogame console, aimed at middle class folks who find may have found gaming previously unaffordable, is set to hit the Brazil gaming market. Brazilian electronics entertainment company TecToy will be producing the gaming system, called Zeebo , next year.
Zeebo is expected to launch in Brazil next July for $599 (the equivalent of about $250 USD). Instead of utilizing discs or cartridges, the system will remain connected to a free, 3G network, and all of the games will be downloadable for between $10 and $30. Three of the four titles to come pre-installed on the system include Action Hero 3D, Evil Prey, and Quake. A total of 50 games are expected to be available by the end of next year. The digital only-delivery format is expected to cut down on software piracy, since the games cannot be copied.
According to its producers, the console is not meant to compete with the higher powered Xbox 360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii. It will instead meet the needs of an emerging market niche of individuals who cold not previously afford pricey games or gaming systems. Hell, it's no Gears of War 2, but game on Brazil!
According to its producers, the console is not meant to compete with the higher powered Xbox 360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii. It will instead meet the needs of an emerging market niche of individuals who cold not previously afford pricey games or gaming systems.
Isn't the Xbox 360 and Wii cheaper than this system?
black lincon: That sounds like a cool idea, the only digital part I mean. Maybe the big 3 will take a note from this little brazilian company.
Are you serious? Think of the independently run game stores that would go out of business, all of them gone in an instant just because you can't keep track of your games.
black lincon: That sounds like a cool idea, the only digital part I mean. Maybe the big 3 will take a note from this little brazilian company.
Are you serious? Think of the independently run game stores that would go out of business, all of them gone in an instant just because you can't keep track of your games.
When the industrial revolution reared its head in america cottage industry was destroyed, but, we still considered it a good thing. automation and the removal of middle men is always a good thing, think about this, if we got rid of game stores you save money on games.
black lincon: That sounds like a cool idea, the only digital part I mean. Maybe the big 3 will take a note from this little brazilian company.
Digital distrobution will never catch on. Modern games are graphically demanding, Audioly (is that a word?)demanding and consumers also require it to be of a large degree of length; to house all of this on your hard drive would be absolute murder, both financialy and on your hard drive.
black lincon: That sounds like a cool idea, the only digital part I mean. Maybe the big 3 will take a note from this little brazilian company.
Are you serious? Think of the independently run game stores that would go out of business, all of them gone in an instant just because you can't keep track of your games.
When the industrial revolution reared its head in america cottage industry was destroyed, but, we still considered it a good thing. automation and the removal of middle men is always a good thing, think about this, if we got rid of game stores you save money on games.
Maybe but how would you feel if some console came out and you lost your job.
Not really. R$599 is indeed $259, which does make it more expensive than a Wii in the US. However, none of the big 3 cares about the Brazilian market enough to have a sensible pricing strategy; this is how much the other consoles cost in Submarino.com.br, which is our Amazon.com:
And, to add insult to injury, a game like Gears of War 2 run up to R$200 - or $86. All that in a country with a GDP per capita less than one fifth of the US. It's easy to see why piracy is so widespread here - a console is a true investment, and you want to get the most out of it without spending huge sums for the games. And then the big 3 use the piracy levels to justify their lack of investments. So the Zeebo is definitely a good idea for our market, with a good pricing point and (supposedly) piracy-proof. I really hope it succeeds, it could be an excellent step to convince the others that Brazilian gamers are willing to pay for non-pirated gaming - as long as both consoles and games are priced sensibly.
Sounds cool, I hope it succeeds. The console is an investment btw, thats why the games are only 10-30 dollars. As opposed to a 60 dollar or 100 dollar game(depending on inflation and what not), 10-30 bucks sounds pretty good to alot of people. Hell, it sounds good to me.
This is really interesting. Especially if it heralds a divide between a first world and developing world gaming and development scene. I hope it takes off with Master System-like gusto.
black lincon: That sounds like a cool idea, the only digital part I mean. Maybe the big 3 will take a note from this little brazilian company.
Are you serious? Think of the independently run game stores that would go out of business, all of them gone in an instant just because you can't keep track of your games.
When the industrial revolution reared its head in america cottage industry was destroyed, but, we still considered it a good thing. automation and the removal of middle men is always a good thing, think about this, if we got rid of game stores you save money on games.
Maybe but how would you feel if some console came out and you lost your job.
Eldritch Warlord: I'd just like to say that that controller looks aweful and old-fashioned. It is in fact nearly identicle to the Wii "Classic Controller."
You saw that too hm?
Yay, "Steam" in a box... A less expensive Steam... Or wait, it's like the DLC games arcade on the 360, they are on average $5 (~400MSP) to $15 (~1200MSP) for full versions, not to forget the Wii Virtual Console. Not really a new idea, jus a "simplified system", sort-of...
What happens when you run out of space? I assume it isn't a large HDD to start out with...
Eldritch Warlord: I'd just like to say that that controller looks aweful and old-fashioned. It is in fact nearly identicle to the Wii "Classic Controller."
You saw that too hm?
Yay, "Steam" in a box... A less expensive Steam... Or wait, it's like the DLC games arcade on the 360, they are on average $5 (~400MSP) to $15 (~1200MSP) for full versions, not to forget the Wii Virtual Console. Not really a new idea, jus a "simplified system", sort-of...
What happens when you run out of space? I assume it isn't a large HDD to start out with...
Eldritch Warlord: I'd just like to say that that controller looks aweful and old-fashioned. It is in fact nearly identicle to the Wii "Classic Controller."
You saw that too hm?
Yay, "Steam" in a box... A less expensive Steam... Or wait, it's like the DLC games arcade on the 360, they are on average $5 (~400MSP) to $15 (~1200MSP) for full versions, not to forget the Wii Virtual Console. Not really a new idea, jus a "simplified system", sort-of...
What happens when you run out of space? I assume it isn't a large HDD to start out with...
You buy an upgrade. Chaching!
Lol, for how much though? That's what would scare me... and what would happen if the console crashed? gained irreparable damage? was stolen?
Eldritch Warlord: I'd just like to say that that controller looks aweful and old-fashioned. It is in fact nearly identicle to the Wii "Classic Controller."
You saw that too hm?
Yay, "Steam" in a box... A less expensive Steam... Or wait, it's like the DLC games arcade on the 360, they are on average $5 (~400MSP) to $15 (~1200MSP) for full versions, not to forget the Wii Virtual Console. Not really a new idea, jus a "simplified system", sort-of...
What happens when you run out of space? I assume it isn't a large HDD to start out with...
You buy an upgrade. Chaching!
Lol, for how much though? That's what would scare me... and what would happen if the console crashed? gained irreparable damage? was stolen?
You do what you do with the Ps3 - you delete the games, but the Store itself retains your purchase information, so you can make as many downloads as you want from your console.
black lincon: automation and the removal of middle men is always a good thing, think about this, if we got rid of game stores you save money on games.
Not when the facilities needed to run such an operation are in place. It's all well and good that you Yanks can get blazing fast Internet speeds, but there are countries (such as Australia) that don't have the infrastructure in place. I think I'd rather pay extra for my games than not have any games at all.
As for the console, I'm hoping that this allows Brazilian gamers to get some enjoyable experiences. Good luck to the thing.
Onuryn: Not really. R$599 is indeed $259, which does make it more expensive than a Wii in the US. However, none of the big 3 cares about the Brazilian market enough to have a sensible pricing strategy; this is how much the other consoles cost in Submarino.com.br, which is our Amazon.com:
And, to add insult to injury, a game like Gears of War 2 run up to R$200 - or $86. All that in a country with a GDP per capita less than one fifth of the US. It's easy to see why piracy is so widespread here - a console is a true investment, and you want to get the most out of it without spending huge sums for the games. And then the big 3 use the piracy levels to justify their lack of investments. So the Zeebo is definitely a good idea for our market, with a good pricing point and (supposedly) piracy-proof. I really hope it succeeds, it could be an excellent step to convince the others that Brazilian gamers are willing to pay for non-pirated gaming - as long as both consoles and games are priced sensibly.
I thought the high prices were due to protectionist import tariffs designed to encourage local development such things as the Zeebo.
But of course, I accept that I could be wrong.
What really sticks in my craw though, is that a low budget Brazilian console has a bultin 3G connection for software distribution, while the USA wireless market is so hosed up that such a an idea would be unimaginable.
Eldritch Warlord: I'd just like to say that that controller looks aweful and old-fashioned. It is in fact nearly identicle to the Wii "Classic Controller."
You saw that too hm?
Yay, "Steam" in a box... A less expensive Steam... Or wait, it's like the DLC games arcade on the 360, they are on average $5 (~400MSP) to $15 (~1200MSP) for full versions, not to forget the Wii Virtual Console. Not really a new idea, jus a "simplified system", sort-of...
What happens when you run out of space? I assume it isn't a large HDD to start out with...
You buy an upgrade. Chaching!
Lol, for how much though? That's what would scare me... and what would happen if the console crashed? gained irreparable damage? was stolen?
You do what you do with the Ps3 - you delete the games, but the Store itself retains your purchase information, so you can make as many downloads as you want from your console.
black lincon: That sounds like a cool idea, the only digital part I mean. Maybe the big 3 will take a note from this little brazilian company.
Are you serious? Think of the independently run game stores that would go out of business, all of them gone in an instant just because you can't keep track of your games.
Shiuz, I'm sorry to bring you to emerging country reality: there are no more game stores in Brazil or in the other BRICs. Piracy and black-market imports have already closed these stores.
The idea kinda seems good on one hand, and maybe even a little fun, but if new games are made for it, won't it be a gamble that your spending your money on game?
I'm not at all wealthy, so 10$ is a lot for me. I usually wait untill I see a game on a store monitor or my friends have it and try it there before I decide I want a game.
New Gaming Console To Hit Brazil
Brazil doesn't immediately jump to mind as a hotspot for gaming. Still, people have to keep themselves entertained somehow.
A new videogame console, aimed at middle class folks who find may have found gaming previously unaffordable, is set to hit the Brazil gaming market. Brazilian electronics entertainment company TecToy will be producing the gaming system, called Zeebo , next year.
Zeebo is expected to launch in Brazil next July for $599 (the equivalent of about $250 USD). Instead of utilizing discs or cartridges, the system will remain connected to a free, 3G network, and all of the games will be downloadable for between $10 and $30. Three of the four titles to come pre-installed on the system include Action Hero 3D, Evil Prey, and Quake. A total of 50 games are expected to be available by the end of next year. The digital only-delivery format is expected to cut down on software piracy, since the games cannot be copied.
According to its producers, the console is not meant to compete with the higher powered Xbox 360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii. It will instead meet the needs of an emerging market niche of individuals who cold not previously afford pricey games or gaming systems. Hell, it's no Gears of War 2, but game on Brazil!
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