EVO: Phase One promises to touch down in October

Having been burned oh so many times by the notorious Phantom from Infinium Labs -- perhaps the most infamous piece of vaporware this side of Duke Nukem Forever -- we're more than a little skeptical of any company that comes out of nowhere to offer a "media entertainment console" targeted at gamers. And we're even more skeptical when that company -- in this case, Alabama-based Envizions Inc. -- claims to have been showing off their console at a major trade show that we attended -- in this case, E3 -- but somehow managed to keep it under our radar. We're still going to give the so-called EVO: Phase One the benefit of the doubt, though, as Envizions has just announced October 20th as a solid North American release date for what seems to be little more than a souped-up media center PC out of the box -- although the unit comes with one wireless controller, it will only "have console-like features upon future upgrade applications and hardware assistance." Not a good sign. For $680 you're supposedly getting a machine with an unspecified processor and RAM configuration (also a bad sign) along with a 500MHz Sapphire Radeon X1600 Pro graphics card sporting 128MB of 800MHz DDR3 RAM, a liquid cooling system, and oddly enough, a built-in fingerprint scanner (to protect all of your valuable saved game-states, perhaps?). Again, we'll wait until October to pass final judgment here, but lets just say that we're not going to be the ones throwing down $25 to place a pre-order. Keep reading to check out some of the company's over-the-top marketing, direct from CEO Derrick Samuels' MySpace page...

[Via IGN]

[Shunnabunich @ Jul 11th 2006 2:55PM]

Cute...is that a PlayStation controller with a white bar slapped on the top? If that "poster" is any indication, the aptly-named Phantom has already blown Evo out of the water.

[JinKazama @ Jul 11th 2006 3:00PM]

Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft Execs:

"Ha, ha, ha, you Engadget guys are hilarious. You really had me going there for minute until I realized it was April fool da...what...it's not april fools day, you mean this is serious...oh no...OH GOD NO! This can't be happening, our greates fears have been realized, Derrick finally did it he has unleashed the EVO...(opens window jumps out...)

[whatevah @ Jul 11th 2006 3:03PM]

this is a joke right? the website looks like it was built by a high school kid. I also like how the "tagline" would work equally well for a doomsday device.

[brian @ Jul 11th 2006 3:05PM]

Is Dieter involved?

[Jeff Foster @ Jul 11th 2006 3:07PM]

er, uh, dumb.

[Synergy @ Jul 11th 2006 3:08PM]

680 bucks?
Only 80GB HD?

[Jeff Foster @ Jul 11th 2006 3:08PM]

your myspace link is broken.

%20

[Bongwater @ Jul 11th 2006 3:12PM]

Typically, I'm not a flamer. I like to think I add something to the niternet in the way of interesting and thoughtful conversation. But I really want to flame on this post.

As a web designer I'd like to say how embarrassed I am for this product and this company. They probably thought they could oh so sweetly pull the wool over everyone eyes and release this product without the internet finding out. As a matter of fact they CLEARLY would not want people to find their web page. Whatthe hell is up with the 5 out of 10 ON. THEIR. HOME. PAGE. Holding a vcr remote from like 1993? Dont they usually put hot women with the relevant technology on the home page? Or just hot women? Or just relevant tech? Something?!

this is like the time machine in napoleon dynamite that electrocutes your testicles. maybe someone made this web page to like, learn how to make web pages and its not a real product? at least that would make some sense.

It's fitting that its made in Alabama because this console seems so much like the Alabama of consoles.

[delerious @ Jul 11th 2006 3:13PM]

SWEET! Anniston isn't that far from me. This'll be interesting.

[Scott @ Jul 11th 2006 3:14PM]

Umm Engadget, Graphics RAM is GDDR3, not DDR3.

[Zac @ Jul 11th 2006 3:16PM]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the business concept at play here... Use existing commodified hardware to cheaply deliver an accessible media center device that plays games as well as it delivers media. Given the state of broadband technology, this device should *obviously* depend primarly on the internet for media distribution as opposed to physical alternatives.

That being said, this implementation is completely out of touch with reality.

[Cliksingles.com @ Jul 11th 2006 3:18PM]

Wow - I can't wait!!! I'll have to sell my Xbox360 to make room for this baby. lol

[brian @ Jul 11th 2006 3:20PM]

Here's more on this "company" complete with podcasts and video:

http://newsroom.eworldwire.com/releases/14148

[Tech^CF @ Jul 11th 2006 3:32PM]

Looks like a SFF computer in a shoebox, with cut out window for cooling and dvd-drive. And then a cheap ripoff ps2 controller added (propably via ps2-to-usb adapter)

[PPC @ Jul 11th 2006 3:37PM]

And who is going to buy this?

[JB @ Jul 11th 2006 3:41PM]

So two things...

One, when they ask if you are ready for the revolution they should be using ????, not !!!! Or maybe in this case it should be?!?!?!?!?!?

Two, the chick on the home page could at least look like she wants to be there. Nice image shot for the company.

C. Isn’t the guy holding the EVO logo one of the back up dancers for MC Hammer…can’t touch this…………

[LOL @ Jul 11th 2006 3:43PM]

Anyone notice his educational background?
Education: Highschool
THE CEO FOR CHRIST'S SAKE

[Tim @ Jul 11th 2006 3:47PM]

There will be no more what?

Revolutions?

That ad makes no sense.

[Kamalot @ Jul 11th 2006 3:48PM]

I would rather have this than a PS3 since this is a real computer I can put MY software on.

[woejilliams @ Jul 11th 2006 3:50PM]

specs as found here:
http://www.evo-phase1.com/evo_feature.htm

EVO: Phase One Technical Specifications:
CPU- AMD Athlon 64 3200
L1 Cache 64kb + 64kb
L2 Cache 512 kb
2.0 Ghz.

GPU-Nvidia Geforce 6200
Four pixel pipelines
Core Clock 300 MHz
Memory Clock 500 MHz

Tuner card- Hauppauge with built-in FM radio

RAM- 1 GB (2x512 DDR SDRAM)

Storage- 80 gig hard drive
DVD-Rom drive


Digital Media Support-Support for DVD-video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW

DVD+R/RW, CD-ROM, CD-RW,

Send customize Envizions games to any EVO wireless router

Many players playing from one master hub

3-D graphics

Cooling: Customize CoolIT Systems liquid system

Audio- Creative Labs Audigy SE
24-bit Advanced HD
EAX Advanced HD
Supports surround sound 7.1, 6.1 and 5.1

I/O – Support two 2.0 USB PC ports (in front)
Four rear 2.0 USB ports
9 in 1 card reader
On board Ethernet port

Software-Media Center 2005

Physical specs-Width-318mm
Height-100mm
Length-415mm


High-Definition- Standard-definition and high definition video support

[daschupa @ Jul 11th 2006 3:58PM]

Well is Blade likes it, I like it too.

[Seighton @ Jul 11th 2006 4:00PM]

The ad for the EVO is an awful atrocity of advertising.

Here's an idea for a better one: Let's get Bo Jackson in a rented 2-Legit-2-Quit suit from Chauncy's formalwear at the dirtmall and have him hold a hamsterball with a glowstick in it. Then we can use MSpaint to throw our logo over it. By the way our logo is straight Terminator 2 techno-awsomeness! The best part is that we'll rhyme "EVO" with "no more," but totally in a racist "Alabama" way.

Oh wait, that's what they're using.

[Alex @ Jul 11th 2006 4:08PM]

it makes me mad to think this company is actually wasting money on this effort.

[Froggy @ Jul 11th 2006 4:13PM]

craptastic!!! must get one now. or at least, go to the EVO Phase One forum and register your amasement at this Revolution in gaming.

http://evo-phase1.com/phpbb/index.php

[TJ @ Jul 11th 2006 4:46PM]

Hey, I googled their founders name, and it looks like the Richmond Police are looking for him as we speak. Someone better contact crime stoppers.

http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/police/Most_Wanted/DSamuels.aspx

[No1nose @ Jul 11th 2006 4:54PM]

Why are they bothering to make this?

[Nik @ Jul 11th 2006 5:15PM]

Wait, you mean there are two black males named Derrick Samuels? NO FREAKING WAY.

Come on, he is selling a pc and calling it a console, whats the big deal. Flaming is flaming, but not everything is a conspiracy.

Some things just suck.

[tjh @ Jul 11th 2006 5:16PM]

1. As for the GDDR3 vs DDR3 comment, Engadget did not make that mistake, it is right in the press release.

2. In the press release, they claim to use a "Sapphire RADEON HDMI X1600 Pro graphic card" while on http://www.evo-phase1.com/evo_feature.htm they claim to be using "GPU-Nvidia Geforce 6200"

3. Kid Destiny Game Info: "Come help Kid Destiny save the land of dreams in the 3D detailed world. He must stop the Evil Dr. Freud from causing people in the real world from dreaming. " What does "causing people from dreaming" mean? Please god, cause me from thinking about this horrifying grammar.

This doesn't look like vaporware, because vaporware is generally something the company actually plans to build. I don't believe for one second that they have any intentions of ever truly making this console.

[Pete Avila J.r. @ Jul 11th 2006 5:23PM]

Wait wait wait wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Isnt Evo short for evolution not revolution!!!???

That ad does not make any sense at all.

[BruceLeeRoy @ Jul 11th 2006 6:10PM]

Hey, I googled their founders name, and it looks like the Richmond Police are looking for him as we speak. Someone better contact crime stoppers.

http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/police/Most_Wanted/DSamuels.aspx

Posted at 4:46PM on Jul 11th 2006 by TJ [ ! ]

hahahahaha Is that really him?? hahah

[you @ Jul 11th 2006 6:34PM]

I know one thing this is good for....

MAME

And that it.

[JimyD @ Jul 11th 2006 8:04PM]

This has Internet scam written all over it. Good luck in trying to get your $25 pre-order payment back from Paypal when they're unable to ship a system. It's even funnier that IGN and Engadget would give press to this joker.

[x23 @ Jul 11th 2006 8:42PM]

you guys might be mocking it now... but when i'm at home playing Kid Destiny In Dreamland you'll be jealous. do i even need to mention Ruff-Ruf? or the Evil Dr. Freud?

[Ransom @ Jul 11th 2006 8:59PM]

it seems like what we have here is a pc that you control not with the highly useful and widely accepted keyboard/mouse combo, but instead entirely with a playstation controller. oh, sorry, my bad, 'evo' controller.

[mcd @ Jul 11th 2006 10:14PM]

this might have been a good idea 4 years ago, before the 360 and the likes of xbmc.

And I'm a sony head...

[SK @ Jul 12th 2006 12:21AM]

It's not a scam! Didn't you see them at E3? No? Oh, wait, they were talking about the OTHER E3.

[Calvin @ Jul 12th 2006 5:14AM]

Hope they do it in white!

[Jason @ Jul 12th 2006 7:02AM]

Wow, isn't running a lottery like the scratch-and-win tickets he's selling illegal, or something?

I love how he mixes present and future tense in the lit, too. It "is," but it "will have." Not. The fact that he's calling this "phase 1" makes me think he wants to pull an MLM scam, too, perhaps using those tickets.

[chenry @ Jul 12th 2006 9:21AM]

HAHAHA omg! Greatest game system evar! take a look at the game shop. wow, there are some killer games in there! OH WOW a puppy dog game?! So... this system costs like 3 times as much as a DS, and so far the games look like they're running on my old Mac Performa CD.

does it play Oregon Trail??

[chenry @ Jul 12th 2006 10:24AM]

I "Hoovered" Envizions Computer Enterwhatever Corp.
Know how many people they have listed working for them? 4 with an annual sales figure of $0.3M.

I also found a report regarding a company called Whitewing Financial, who employ(ed) a Derrick Samuels. They were/are a credit card scam company, who collect(ed) fake debts from people.

[BlueNocturne @ Jul 12th 2006 11:31AM]

This is obviously a fake. The controller is a direct rip off of Sega's wireless PS2 controller that is sold in Japan. Take a look.. http://image.lik-sang.com/images//170/ps2-surfwave-black.jpg

[bronevaya @ Jul 12th 2006 1:08PM]

for being a fake they sure have set up an elaborate system of websites

[grindboy @ Jul 17th 2006 12:49PM]

I agree with Bongwater. I'm in my last year of college (UK) and I could make a better website than that!!! This thing has SCAM written all over it! I cannot belive Engadget has given this pile of junk the benfit of the doubt. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo should get together and sue this guys ass!

[Rockym93 @ Aug 12th 2006 11:20PM]

Under the "Other Terms and Conditions" section the website claims "Envizions is not responsible for typographical errors." Cough. Pathetic.

[Lee Green @ Nov 10th 2006 10:41AM]

I'd like to say a few things here as I have a certain insight into this whole ordeal. I have met Derrick Samuels. He tried to convince me to work for him.

DERRICK SAMUELS IS A SCAM ARTIST!

I am from the same town in Alabama and a few of my friends got hooked up with this clown through various avenues of scammery. I was an aspiring filmmaker at the time, and I received a call from Derrick asking if I'd like to meet with him in his office.

I agreed.what did I have to lose?

His office was on the 8th floor of one of the only office buildings in the city. When I walked in, the first thing I noticed was that it was empty. Completely. The room was empty. He called me from another room in his office and I went around a corner to find a slightly less empty room. This one had two chairs and a desk with a phone on it. Oh, and a wastebasket filled with shredded paper. Oh, and a paper shredder.

Mr. Samuels went on to explain to me that his idea was the most amazing and incredible revolution in entertainment thinking to ever hit the market. He told me that if I would work for free, then I would be paid in stock shares down the road after the company "blew up".

Being a gamer and a PC hobbyist myself, I tried to discuss with him the technical details of the system. It became obvious that he was basically computer illiterate. The things that he told me about the system were things that would impress someone who's knowledge of PC gaming extended about as far as "I like to play PC games".

Derrick Samuels is a spin artist. There is no EVO console. There really is no company. Here's something you might find interesting, the MySpace pages of Derrick Samuels,one of his employees,and the page for the system itself.

http://www.myspace.com/dderrick3
http://www.myspace.com/brookechaplin
http://www.myspace.com/envizionsinc

When I spoke with Derrick in his office about the system, there were things that he would tell me about the system that didn't even make sense from a technology standpoint. At the time (about 3 years ago) his system was nothing more than a half-realized and unoriginal concept. He was using his ability to confuse people with words to convince them that he had an incredible and rock solid idea that was going to change the world so that he could raise money for his project. He has not advanced beyond that point. There is no system, there are only badly rendered "concept" mock-ups and hand full of "partnerships" with equally shady companies that offer nothing more than a phantom product.

One more thing, this is not the first time that Derrick Samuels has taken the money and ran. About 7 years ago he talked three of my friends into putting up the money to open a comic book shop in downtown Anniston, AL. The place was open for almost 3 months before Derrick vanished off of the face of the earth, only to resurface years later, suddenly and mysteriously qualified to be CEO of a gaming console company.

Take my very informed word for it, Derrick Samuels is a clown, and if you actually order one of these consoles, then the joke's on you.



I can be reached at [e-mail]

[zach999 @ Jan 3rd 2007 12:45PM]

yea but who will sell evo games???