Zeebo Console to Offer 3G Game Downloads

Sid Shuman, GamePro

Monday, Zeebo, Inc officially announced its upcoming Zeebo console, which will enable players to download all games over a wireless 3G signal, the same high-speed connection used by popular smartphones such as the iPhone 3G. The Zeebo is aimed at the growing group of middle-class consumers. The Zeebo website claims it will launch next month in Brazil in "limited quantities." The Brazil launch in April will "be followed by broader rollouts in Latin America, Asia and beyond," the website states, hinting at a North American release.

Judging by the few tech specs we have seen, the Zeebo doesn't appear to be a graphics powerhouse like the PS3 or the Xbox 360. Important details such as controller features, launch game lineup, and pricing specifics (including possible 3G data plan subscription fees) are also unknown as this time. But based on the press release, it's apparent that Zeebo is aimed to be an affordable, mainstream game console. So far, Capcom, EA, Namco, and THQ headline third-party support, but that may change as more information is made publicly available.

We'll have more details on the Zeebo as we attend GDC 2009 this week. Check back for updates!

Full Zeebo press release follows.

Zeebo Wireless Videogame Console Provides Publishers and Developers With 3G Wireless Distribution, Direct Access to Consumers and Lower Development Costs

SAN FRANCISCO, March 23 -- Leading game publishers and developers from around the world signaled their continued support for Zeebo, the first affordable 3D videogame console designed specifically for emerging global markets. The innovative console will launch in Brazil next month. The console features secure 3G wireless game delivery and addresses the special requirements of these regions where current generation videogame consoles are expensive for the middle class and software piracy is rampant.

The Zeebo system provides a new approach for both publishers and developers looking to extend their footprint into emerging markets, including:

-Secure 3G wireless distribution of digital content designed to overcome lost revenues from rampant piracy

-Simple, intuitive wireless shopping mall making it easy for consumers to discover and purchase content

-giving publishers and developers direct access to a potential one billion consumers in the emerging middle class

-Shorter development cycle as well as lower marketing costs

"The Zeebo console is the first gaming system to foster the development and monetization of branded and culturally relevant content by preventing piracy through secure 3G wireless game delivery and monetization," said Reinaldo Normand, Zeebo founder and head of developer relations. "Zeebo is attacking the serious issue of videogame piracy in emerging markets head on by giving publishers and developers a secure method to offer their content directly to emerging market consumers around the world."

"Zeebo is combining a strong and disruptive concept with great partners and a sensible target market," said Trip Hawkins, CEO of Digital Chocolate. "Billions of consumers in a new 'Omni Media' market now understand digital content distribution, and it is a convenient business and consumer shortcut to use 3G wireless networks to support a game console. We know that consumers in these markets love games like Tower Bloxx and we appreciate that this technology model is a good way to securely monetize the business."

"Ideaworks3D is happy to announce plans for Airplay to support Zeebo," said Alex Caccia, CEO, Ideaworks3D. "Airplay is the platform behind such high profile games as Resident Evil: Degeneration, Metal Gear Solid Mobile, Pandemonium, Dirge of Cerebus Lost Episode - Final Fantasy VII, Project Gotham Racing Mobile, and more. We look forward to providing both publishers and developers with a low-cost and turn-key solution to bring their most trusted brands to this exciting new console platform via Airplay."

"Zeebo is enabling a refreshing change of pace for videogame development," said Andreas Vasen, CEO, Machineworks Northwest LLC. "Porting Prey:Evil to the Zeebo platform required significantly less time and resources compared to traditional console development, and did not require the pain of porting to literally thousands of devices in order to release a title via a more traditional wireless carrier's handset deck."

Additional publishers and developers actively supporting the Zeebo console platform include Capcom, Com2uS, EA Mobile, Gameloft, Glu, Namco Networks and THQ.

For more information on the Zeebo videogame console please visit www.zeeboinc.com.