New Phantom System Unveiled

[Fanible]

http://www.phantom.net/images/video/main.jpg

Im definitly looking into this bad mother:

Sundays unveiling of the Phantom console produced some interesting specs and lots of details on the upcoming console. A 3 GHz processor, the latest nVidia chip and 7.1 sound just some of the features announced. In an interview with Gigex, David Frederick of Infinium Labs gave some information away, including a possible price for the console, subscription and games as well as an expected release date.

On the feedback (including the Vaporware comments) the company has had since they announced Phantom, in March and on the preloaded titles each unit will carry, Frederick said ... we will be releasing details on many of the titles at COMDEX [November 17-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada] where people can see what the Phantom is. The interesting thing is we let the cat out of the bag back around March and the response was just overwhelming, we have just created so much demand and interest, in fact so much so that we see comments like, "It's not real, it's vaporware." I can tell you, it's not vaporware, its real and it's coming very soon.

So this is kind of the first controlled release of the product, and for the first time ever we will introduce the world to the Phantom. All the stuff that people have been clamoring, and that’s kind of the first phase of "shock and awe," so to speak. Then at COMDEX we will have the beta units so folks will be able to test drive, touch and feel the Phantom console. In the early fourth quarter, beta units should be going out and that will lead into the first quarter release.

When we put out a call for beta testers for Phantom, we received over forty-thousand applications for beta testers and we’re in the process of weeding them all out. We can’t ship out forty-thousand units for beta testing purposes only, but we will weed them down and ship the final testers everything they need.

On the pricing of the console, the service and the games Fredricks had the following to say Phantom will be below USD 399 and the VPGN should hit at USD 9.95 per month. The Phantom will come with preloaded games in the box so, literally, no pun intended, you’ll be able to play right out of the box.

The titles themselves will have a price range from USD 2.99 to USD 50, it depends on the type of game and the release. It does vary from game to game, but we are able to offer the game at a much more affordable rate because there’s not the package, not the shelf space, typical retail expenses like that.

In the same interview Fredricks surprised many by claiming that the console will be sold only through Phantom.net and the company's broadband partners, while no retailers had, at this point, been confirmed. Phantom is expected during Q1, 2004.

Finally on the specs of the console Fredricks commented, When Phantom is delivered in the first quarter of 2004, it will be the fastest, most powerful game console on the market and in the world. The baseline unit, the basic Phantom will come with a 100GB hard drive, 256MB DDR RAM, the latest iteration of the nVidia video card, a broadband modem depending on if you want a DSL or cable modem and any peripherals you would want included. Then there’s an enhanced version of Phantom where everything is top end, memory is blown out. In between those two things, we will allow customers who can customize their units exactly how they want their Phantom to be built. So if they want more memory or a bigger hard drive or a WiFi modem, they can do that.

Now, going back to what you said about stacking up against the upcoming consoles, there is a program we have called Phantom For Life. Here, users of Phantom For Life will always have the next iteration of Phantom hardware while, on the software side, when you connect to the VPGN all your software and performance upgrades can be done automatically. I hate using terms like non-obsolescence, but that really is the model we’ve implemented by not only taking advantage of technology, but also on the broadband side we can help keep the Phantom at the leading edge.

The full Phantom specs were announced as follows:

Phantom Standard Components

- Custom OS on Windows XPe kernel
- Up to 3.0 GHz processor with 256MB DDR RAM
- High-performance nVidia video card
- High-performance Intel motherboard
- Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound
- 100+ Gigabyte internal storage device
- On-board RF wireless modules
- S-Video, RCA or component video and PAL
- 10/100 baseT Ethernet
- 1 wireless controller
- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- 2 USB ports
- 4 controller ports
- 12’ Port Extension Cable

Phantom Optional Components

- Controllers, wireless and corded
- Keyboard and mouse with charging base station
- Storage expansion for additional game storage
- DSL modem
- Cable modem
- Wireless WIFI card
- Memory upgrades
- Speaker sets
- Flat screen displays

[Fanible]

For more, check out their sweet flashplayer site:
http://www.infiniumlabs.com

Click on Download Versions for the sneak peek video, or click Broadband for their awsome site.

This system really has more eye-candy than prior systems. Chances are im buying this mofo. Watch the video, it says it all.

It definitly appeals to me, as it will fullfill quite a bit of my console and PC gaming wants, or needs. Rather than switching between consoles and my PC. Not to mention for incredibly high specs, its very cheap compared to a PC, yet will operate and function beautifully as one, as far as gaming goes.

This more or less is a gaming, and gaming only console. It will have no DVD functions as to play any games does not require any discs. Everything you do is all inside the box, and literally you play from and out of the box. With wireless controller, mouse and keyboard.

PC on the ****ing go!

[jediknight]

This looks pretty amazing! Lets see some games :)

[JAE]

Yeah, what titles is it going to have? I caught a glimpse of what looked like a title menu screen and I saw "Bikini Karate Babes", which is an actual Mortal Kombat type fighter with full motion vid clips of hot chicks fighting in Bikinis. Eh? I want to see what titles are available. Anyone know how much it is and when it is being released?

[Ap2000]

Not another pc-console....

but it was announced a few months ago, only the hardware specs were revealed.

[adt100]

Ever since first hearing about this early in the year I've been a bit sceptical and not very impressed TBO.

All the latest consoles (if they're any good) will have specs based pretty much on the latest technologies, so I expect that when the new Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft machines are released in what, maybe 2005, their specs will be every bit as impressive if not better. It's all about s/w support though, and from what I've seen this machine doesn't have a huge deal of that at present.

I predict it will most likely go the same way as the Jaguar and 3DO.

[adt100]

1 other point, if that picture is what the actual machine will look like then it will sell even less that that. It's absolutely hideous! And there was me thinking the PS2 and X-box looked naff.

[Riddle]

Then again, people said a Microsoft console wouldn't go anywhere, either....

[Fanible]

Originally posted by Ap2000
Not another pc-console....

but it was announced a few months ago, only the hardware specs were revealed.

The console is definitly on the way. Any skeptics, you need to watch the latest video, download the high quality. The system is definitly on the way. Ordering starts in October, and they expect it to release the beginning of 2004.

Looks? Don't talk to me about looks when Microsoft brought out the Xbox. It's no more uglier, if not better looking than that huge black x box thing. The system is good, but the Cube and PS2 look more sleek.

It's basicly, pretty much yeah, a PC-Console. It's just a super PC, PC designed just for gaming. The game doesn't take any discs, when you get the system, it already comes with quite a few games.

It also quotes already having more games than any system, featuring games available, some from current consoles, and I'm assuming any PC game. So yes, the library will be literally huge.

It's basicly a small super PC, that's upgradeable. Honestly it's what ive been wanting. A console, thats a PC. We need a gaming PC. It'll cost lower, but provide you with all your gaming needs as a PC does. Something other systems can not. Also by the time next consoles come out, won't matter much, cause like it says, it's upgradeable... meaning it will probably be optional in having the latest technology. And lack of games is what killed the Jaguar and 3DO, which this already obviously will not lack in.

I will definitly try to buy this. And will probably take up any gaming time on any system I own. Probably the only time i'll use any other system is if for some reason a PC game isn't available on it, or the Xbox, Cube, or PS2 have an exclusive game I can't get otherwise.

The only downfall it will have is it's lesser known company. Microsoft and Sony were easily able to get into the door due to their large technology accociated names.

The main advantage really is that the crew were gamers trying to design a system that would appeal by every aspect to gamers. Sony and Microsoft did it only because it was another big thing on the market.

Only other thing I'd say I'd want more than this, is a PC made by Falcon Northwest (Alienware), but those cost 1,400-3,000 dollars.

P.S.
WATCH THE VIDEO. It got my psyched anyway...

[Riddle]

Penny Arcade has a pretty interesting story about the Phantom....

http://www.penny-arcade.com

[Oj]

Exact links riddle is talking about:

Comic 1 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2003-01-22)
News 1 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/news.php3?date=2003-01-22)
News 2 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/news.php3?date=2003-08-20)
Comic 2 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3?date=2003-08-20&res=l)

[Riddle]

Actually, it was this I was talking about:

"We had a reader go by Infinium Labs and take pictures of their "facility" ( that's when we found out it was a strip mall in the Florida Keys ) only to find out it was a single desk in a 100 x 100ft room with two phones and no furniture. That was about 4 months ago.

I talked to the Tim Roberts guy on the phone when he returned my call ( 22 days after I left a message ) and when I asked him about all this...he HUNG UP ON ME. I asked him if he was looking for investors, he said "We are actively recruiting investors". I asked him if they had any consoles on hand, he said "We have several hundred prototype models here in the office". So then I asked him where the prototypes were made, he said "right here in our facility". Then I told him I had seen his 100ft x 100ft office space conveinently located next to Missing Link Art Gallery in the strip mall ( located at 5380 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, Fl 34228 ) and he went NUTS!!! "WHO THE **** IS THIS!?!?! BLAH BLAH I'LL SUE YOU"."

And:

"In my amazing boredom, I researched the status of these trademarks on , but could find no record of either being trademarked. I tried various search methods, never did I see the slogan or the name Phantom trademarked by Infium Labs."

[adt100]

I think you're getting all a bit too wrapped up in this and been taken in by the hype Fanible. If if does ever see the light of day, I predict it will be a total flop. Seriously.

This idea about a huge library of games I don't take seriously at all. And what is the point of it?

"It's basicly a small super PC, that's upgradeable. Honestly it's what ive been wanting. A console, thats a PC. We need a gaming PC. It'll cost lower, but provide you with all your gaming needs as a PC does. Something other systems can not"

It's a 'gaming PC' which you seem to think is great, but why exactly? What makes that so wonderful? Ok so you can upgrade it, like any regular PC, but you have absolutely none of the benefits of a regular (or rather a powerful) PC which is why people choose a PC above a console. That being the case, the fact that's it's cheaper than a PC (but more than the big 3 consoles), then the point is irrelevant.

A typical console life is 4-5 years, ok you can spend more money upgrading to make the machine more powerful more frequently, but at the specs we're talking about this is also rather a moot point.

[Fanible]

Actually I find that the only benefits ill miss from my PC is the actuall program (Windows) itself, which includes all the business aspects of it. And actually, the system is a lot better than most average owner's PC computers.

And im all for the price benefit. A computer that has better specs than this current console, could cost up to 3 thousand dollars. And im not up to paying that.

No, im not getting into the hype, rather I'd enjoy having this system in my home. Reguardless of wether or not it will "flop"... the way it is designed means that any current owners will still bring in money for it anyways.

As it won't cost anymore to get signee's, as any previous console would, chances are it'll stay stable, as a bad MMORPG would that's losing it's players, simply because it makes monthly money that it doesn't need super buys.

It appeals to me because of it's PC aspects. I'd choose a PC over, but due to it's rather much less in costs, I find it rather appealing. Grant not necessarily better than future computers, but i'll be able to stable it a lot easier and much cheaper.

And yes it's all price. And the fact that it has already thousands of optional game titles coming on it, flopping will be harder. The reason past consoles flopped in the past is because you need game companies to sign on and make their game work on that specific system. All games are downloaded for this system. So any game company just needs to just allow download and through credit pay.

Per simple. Wether or not it'll last, it's still a desirable system. FOR the super PC aspects of it. I'll enjoy having a keyboard and mouse, as well as the powerful specs. Play games I want on console and PC, and at the ease on my TV screen. It's just as powerful as my current PC, if not way more powerful. Therefor rather than buying a new PC or even upgrading my current one, this system will be cheaper. And for the thousands of downloadable titles, it'll last me just as long if not longer than when I pay a thousand dollars every year or two years needing to buy another PC due to them going so quickly out of date.

I don't think im going in over my head. The system has potential. And it won't be like if or when I'd buy a Jaguar or Dreamcast system, where the purchase was so pointless because few games came out on it. No, so even if it does flop, I still have/had a huge selection of games to choose from.

I think already from how the PS2 is, it's the games that make a system. PS2 pretty much is the crappiest of consoles currently, but because of it's large sales of systems, more game companies signing on, it has a large gaming library... which is what makes it appealing. No one wants to buy a system like Dreamcast that will have no new games coming out and very few to start with. It's the games that sell something.

And the point is that you don't HAVE to upgrade it, but it'll still have thousands of working titles coming out on it. It can still last as long as any console system, if you want it to. But as each console ages, the current games, old or new, are become out of date anyway. So if you want you can stick with that, or have the option of going with the new.

I'd just rather not be a democratic and always stick with the same, and I love seeing new ideas. This new idea, and console designed for gamers by gamers, a console really in it's own class. I say GO for it, and im more than willing to buy and try it. I certainly will most likely be happy with the purchase, regaurdless of wether or not the system flops.

And honestly, asking "Why do you think thats so great" when im commenting it being on a gaming PC? Thats a really dumb question period. Everyone has always yearned for the gaming PC's anyway. Falcon Northwest does NOTHING but design ACTUAL PC's designed for gaming, with the latest state of the art specs and whatnot. That's basicly this, but with just a few advantages. Price, size, and ease of gaming availability. And the price definitly takes it for me. When while I love Falcon Northwest computer creations, I don't like that you paid 2-3 thousand dollars for the voted best computers on the market, but that doesn't mean diddly in a year. So the much cheaper price makes this gaming PC very desirable.

If they had just called this thing a PC to begin with, no one would be downing it at all. Rather just saying that's interesting, or maybe i'll get it, or whatnot. But due to it coming with the console title and price difference, people are going to label it a certain way. Plus the price isn't even decided yet. They just said for now that it'll probably be under 400 US dollars. And even with the absence of some PC features, that's a great deal for what you get.

Im not saying I'd enjoy it because it's upgrading aspect. I just like the way it'll work like a PC, and have the availability of so many of the same games like a PC. Im more a PC gamer than a console gamer. I find that a majority of all console titles arn't worth the 50 dollars they start out as. But their games are limited to their specific console, and not nearly as vast as a PC's selection and desire. So I enjoy this idea because it'll have the same games as a PC, and operate the same. That's all.

Buy an Alienware PC and you got the same thing. Just with an operating system unit, CD and DVD usage, and much higher price.

Sure I have my doubts. We havn't seen the test results of the system yet either. But I'd rather have hope for something new and interesting, than just condemn it to begin with. Grant, i'll atleast look into it if it releases. If it doesn't, it was still a good idea and worth getting into.

[adt100]

You do write long posts in this forum Fanible!

Anyway, I was looking round a games website today and stumbled across this piece of news. I don't know if it's new to you or not.

http://www.totalgames.net/(stocet55wp3kwuqob0y4eobs)/pma/17827

[Fanible]

Yes ive seen that as of late.

My posts are usually long everywhere I post. Grant im really interested in an idea. I talk fast and in many words.... typing it up is actually kind of suprising. It's no wonder some people have trouble understanding me if I go on rants. I'll speed up my speech to sum it up quicker, but it's not the most beneficial method.

If it does turn out to be a hoax, considering the sheer interest and investment the idea has taken, I won't be suprised if actual companies attempt to spring up the same type of system.

[Riddle]

I've been saying it was bogus since it was announced.
It's just TOO perfect. There's no was a system like that could cost less then $1000.

[spiderman_2k]

Well, Infinium labs have made a forum dedicated to the console...
Infinium Labs announces the launch of an official forum dedicated to its upcoming Phantom game system.

Infinium Labs has today announced the launch of an official forum dedicated to its upcoming Phantom game system and the PhantomNet - Virtual Private Game Network (VPGN). The forum currently covers topics including new releases, general questions, inquiries, and suggestions.

Infinium Labs announces the launch of an official forum dedicated to its upcoming Phantom game system.

Infinium Labs has today announced the launch of an official forum dedicated to its upcoming Phantom game system and the PhantomNet - Virtual Private Game Network (VPGN). The forum currently covers topics including new releases, general questions, inquiries, and suggestions.
"We created the forum as a community environment where participants can follow the Phantom game system progress and as a place to make friends with people who share common interests," said Timothy Roberts, president and CEO of Infinium Labs. "We expect the forum will grow in the months ahead and we will make every effort to post the most up to date information about the Phantom Game Systems and our PhantomNet - VPGN."

Phantom Forum (http://www.phantom.net/forum/)

Its set out pretty well and is pretty active.

[DolAmroth]

sounds prety sick I cant wait to see what the graphics will be like.

[horrorscaresme]

ill get it if a lot of good Dev's make games for it