Linux-based Evo "Smart Console" now up for pre-order

While any announcement of a new game console is rightly going to be greeting with a hefty amount of skepticism, it looks like this new Evo "Smart Console" from upstart Envizions Computer Entertainment could be a bit of a unique case and, as Pandora has shown, sometimes these things do actually pan out. Working in the Evo's favor is the fact that it's really nothing more than a Linux-based computer that relies entirely on off the shelf parts like an overclocked Athlon 64x2 5600 processor and ATI Radeon 3200 graphics. The more ambitious, and potentially vaporware bit, is Envizions' hopes for the system as a game development platform and a cloud computing device of sorts. Apparently, it's betting on developers tailoring games specifically for the system and selling 'em through its proposed Evo Network, which Envizions CEO Derrick Samuels says would "give Linux game developers a chance to make some money." The company also says that a subsidized rebate plan will eventually bring the price of the console down to $250, but it'll run a full $600 out of the gate, and Envizions will gladly take a $100 deposit right now from anyone willing to reserve one of the first few consoles that'll supposedly start shipping on November 20th.

[Via thegadgetsite]

[Jon @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:55PM]

Haha ..

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:08PM]

Only $600?! Freak! I'm ordering! I can't WAIT to play...?...

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:31PM]

Most expensive VCR ever.

[Kamokazi @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:39PM]

The funniest part....Radeon 3200....That's effectively integrated garbage. How can you have a gaming console with a shitty GPU?

[EdMercer @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:51PM]

Actually, I have a very similar setup as an HTPC (Ahtlon X2 6000+ on an ECS A780GM-A) and it even runs Crysis at 720p, so don't be too quick in dismissing the Radeon HD3200. What I'd really like to know is if the "Evo" games will run on a similarly configured PC like mine...

[Kamokazi @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:04PM]

Considering that you can buy cards an order of magnitude more powerful for ~$100, it's garbage in a device designed primarily for playing games.

Being able to run Crysis, and being able to run it well with high settings are two very different things.

[punkr0csux @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:55PM]

Never forget the Phantom!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_(game_system)

[From My Cube @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:20PM]

can you give a 21 gun salute to something that didnt exist?

[chrismaltba @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:35PM]

Phantoms like a mutha fucka!

[kal326 @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:07PM]

@From my cube

Only if you use imaginary rifles.

[Felipe @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:56PM]

all i can think about now is the day when you guys post up a story about how someone bought the console and hacked it to run windows xp/vista or to use mac

[Coolty @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:31PM]

But, I don't think there's really any hacking to do.
As the blog states, it uses off the shelf parts. So, it'll run XP natively, i suspect.

[drtarantula @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:51PM]

If you read the actual blog, it clearly states you can install XP if you wish as long as it is a legal copy. However if you want you can pay them an additional one hundred dollars to install it for you.

[MED @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:12PM]

If you read Felipe's comment you would clearly understand he was making a joke. that's why more intelligent people than you voted for him to have little green letters at the top of his post saying he is better than you. nuff said.

[romequez @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:57PM]

One word: Indrema

[Frogboy @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:02PM]

Arg! You beat me to it.

[mark @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:31AM]

Two words

Indrema & Phantom

I was one of the few who wished Indrema to actually make it though (an open source console would rawk).

While we all knew Phantom was never going to appear; still the digital distribution idea is welcome.

[Level 5 @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:01PM]

I mean for $600, I'd rather buy a comparable Shuttle PC or Mac Mini, I don't really see what the $600 would get you that one of the other unit's I mentioned and a PS3 or X360 controller.

[Temo @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:01PM]

If it can emulate other consoles (PSX, PS2, N64... so on) ... I am SOLD! ...

[From My Cube @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:17PM]

ill sell you mine for $800.00

[Kawaiipikachu @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:51PM]

I got a better option as in an option that is completely legal .
Got a Nintendo Wii some Wii Points cards have it set up to the internet channel log on the shop channel & legally buy games from the NES, SNES, N64, Turbografx, Neo Geo, Sega Master system, Sega Megadrive, Commodore 64 & MSX systems where its both legal & you can avoid a jail sentence & more importantly no game devoloper goes bankrupt & if everybody goes to all legal avanue's meaning that no game devoloper goes bankrupt ever again .

My message piracy sucks & also evil but proper bought games are the way for a decent persion go when they love the games that they play .

[htd @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:04PM]

how dumb are those VCs to give them money to develope something like this?

[kal326 @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:11PM]

@htd
The better question is where can I find these VCs? I have all sort of sh....stuff that I could turn into practical, profitable, products if you let me throw enough time and money at it. At the end of the day or money I'm sure I will have had fun.

[Vander @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:04PM]

Before someone asks, No crysis on it!

[profeteer @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:08PM]

Biometrics? Finally!

[Frogboy @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:08PM]

You might as well get a Pandora. It has a better chance of surviving and having most of the emulators you mentioned getting developed for it. PS2 isn't going to happen but I doubt an old AMD processor would be able to handle that either. Plus, it is almost half the price and you can take it with you wherever you go.

[Frogboy @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:10PM]

This was supposed to go under Temo's comment.

[Temo @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:14PM]

Yeah... I was thinking about ordering a Pandora... But I missed the deadline because of my Car Insurance Bill.

[iofthestorm @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:19PM]

I can run PS2 on an AMD processor slightly slower than this, but then my graphics card is about 10x faster.

[Ridgecity @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:09PM]

Finally! a new contender in the 7 Billion Dollar Race!

[mos @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:14PM]

Do not say "Will it play Crysis?"

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:33PM]

Yet, you did anyway.

[phanbouy @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:44PM]

and this concludes this morning's session of "what's worse: a crysis fanboy or crysis fanboy police?"

[hamster3000 @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:16PM]

This won't last too long. All those other PC consoles died out without other people knowing their existence.

[Frogboy @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:20PM]

I actually love this idea but they always seem to price themselves out of the market. Even $250 is way too much for such a device especially considering the hardware they put into it. Now that media center pcs are becoming very common, there really isn't any insentive to spend money on something like this unless it received a lot of attention from third party devs. Most people would just buy an 360 or PS3. Good luck though. I'd love to see it succeed.

[crysis @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:50PM]

will it blend?

[Vander @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:20PM]

Who Knows?, will be never released

[coffee @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:52PM]

For $600, I'll buy two of the "other" consoles. You know, the ones with actual games.

[Gofthick @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:57PM]

I'll give it one to two months before the company announces bankruptcy.

[DNS @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:58PM]

They are charging a roughly 50% markup for a bundled controller and a preinstalled operating system that can't natively play the majority of PC games. How did they get funding for this?

[Hawk Pidgeon @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:24PM]

The Mafia?

[Toby @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:26PM]

Obviously from a consumer POV this is a complete waste of time and money, and will likely fail miserably.

That said, maybe this will encourage Linux game development! (IMHO the only thing preventing Linux from succeeding as a popular OS, at least in my house).

[Magallanes @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:53PM]

Yes, a "linux game developers" is just a myth with the exception of Id Software and Lokigames (is still in the market?).

[Arnold @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:54PM]

PC Game console vaporware FTW!
Wait...., SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS!? does it atleast play blue ray disks??
NO!?

[Tavar @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:12PM]

is this a joke lol?? why would some make this

[Freestyle Farfetch'd @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:29PM]

I don't really see the point in this. The Pandora is doing well because it's a powerful handheld that can run emulators in your pocket. This is well, a not very powerful console that may run emulators, but what's the point in that when you can just use your computer? If you're at home, it's perfectly easy to just do that. This product's going to have a damned hard time finding a niche.

[o.kruetzmann @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:20PM]

Will it play Doom? :)

[Frogboy @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:21PM]

No, the graphics card can't handle it.

[PW @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:38PM]

Surprise, surprise. The majority of Engadget commenters reject the idea of a system that doesn't have a huge brand name attached, or an app store that constantly crams ads and demos down your throat in an attempt to siphon more of your money off daily.

It's ok though, you kids stick to your heavily locked down corporate consoles and leave the leftfield stuff to the big boys. There's room in the scene for everyone.

I hope these guys do well.

[TheHyena @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:00PM]

You're kind of missing the point here. Games consoles are to play games on. I just can't see any major publishers signing up to make next gen games for this thing. It just isn't going to happen. All you're essentially paying for is a poor value computer, as it doesn't sound like it's got any custom hardware or OS attached. To boot, it's even more expensive than the PS3 was at launch.