Tectoy's announced the Zeebo, a 3G network-based gaming console that will supposedly launch in Brazil in July of 2009, then spread to other markets in the following months. The console will apparently be constantly connected to a 3G network for no cost to the gamer, with all games and content paid for and downloaded via said network (which sounds suspiciously like the never-realized
Phantom). In theory, this would mean lower costs for the consumer while cutting down on piracy. Titles that are to be preloaded in the Brazil launch of the system include the mobile game
Action Hero 3D,
Evil Prey, and
Quake... not exactly state-of-the-art, but according to its manufacturers, the Zeebo is not meant to directly compete with platforms like the Wii, Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. Instead, the system will be aimed at "emerging" gaming markets, including those which could not normally afford expensive hardware and games. Confusingly, the price mentioned for the console is a steep $599, with games set to cost between $10 and $30 -- not exactly the most affordable item we've ever heard of, but we'll keep our ears to the wall for further updates should the Zeebo ever come closer to existence. And, comparison to the Phantom aside, we hope it does.
Update: We're aware of the craziness of the $599 US price tag, but the source
does specify US dollars, though we're unsure of whether it's a typo or the actual price.
Update II: Thanks to a tip from a reader, we've confirmed that the US dollar price of the Zeebo will be $258, or $599 in Brazil. Not a bad deal!
[Via
Folha Online; thanks Fabio V.]
posted November 12th 2008 6:40PM
I just don't get the pricing if the actual unit.
#1 - At $258 in the USA, that is $100 more than I just got a XBOX 360 with 20GB drive (new) from FYE after a $100 rebate (no add-ons or bundles required, just the unit).
#2 - From the looks of what it runs, I would think a PS2 would be a better unit and they are cheaper; plus there are tons of bootlegs available at the markets for the PS2 so they can probably get games for cheaper than $13.
I sense this will never see the light of day. Plus if the company goes belly-up, you got a nice paper weight or door stopper since you don't get physical media.
The high price is consequence of the importation taxes of the qualcomm processor. the console will be manufactured in the country it is being sold, so in the USA the price will fall rockbottom (i think it will be 70-100 USD)
I said the same in my blog: They are nuts. A **new** PS/2 is cheaper than this, has all these games and is compatible with all the games from the friends and relatives. Why should someone buy a different videogame? 1GB **HD**??? THEY ARE NUTS!!!
Well, all the other Brazilian gaming systems have done so well around the world.
Hey guys!!! Think about it, we are sooo rich, because we need to pay much more taxes than north america!! so we need to be rich or we die...haha
PS: maybe this is not the price, can be lowest!!!!!!!!!! nobody knows..
PS: this console have a nice system, with free code, games creator can create new games and sold it online on zeebo's internet...its kinda nice.
I'm brazilian, and for that price, I won't buy it!
I will keep my 360, play3, and my PC, too expencive for "old tecnology"!
Better if the big three starts serving developing countries.
The Brazilian government applies this kind of Tax to imports in order to improve the internal market. Brazil has 2/3 the US population (190 millions) and this is a clever way to expand the internal production and create new jobs. For other electronic companies this model has been very benefitial, for example, almost all the cell phones sold in south américa are made in Brazil.
The 3G connection makes sense, especially if it's for free. The price for an internet connection in South America is way higer than in USA and EU, so add another fee to the console doesn't make any sense. I think this console has some kind of web browser and a game shop.
however, local electronics plants do rely on foreign components, which also carry those absurdly high taxes.
not even Argentina has taxes THAT high.
also, even telecom here has heavy taxation. São Paulo state alone charges a 25% tax over telecom services. (some states have even higher taxation, such as Rio de Janeiro - 30%)
this site is better and in english
http://www.zeeboinc.com/
Paraguay, without a doubt
you don´t have to care about customs, they just don´t work (if they work indeed, you just pay the bribe)
you right men
this is real price
It's 599 BRL (R$), like 260 US$, and 10 BRL (+-4,5 US$) to 30 BRL (+-14 US$) for the games!
but in USA the price is 120 US$
Hello friends,
I am Brazilian and the information I have on the Zeebo are the best known:Qualcomm 3G chipset CPU GPU (integrated) capable of generating 4 million polygons and 160MB RAM.
What the majority of Brazilian players have claimed:
- Fear of the graphic quality is worse than a PS2, in addition to real support of large software;
- Some videos show games that are just ports of games for mobile;
- The games will not Cutscenes;- A little space to store the games, only 1GB of Flash memory;
- Price of R$ 599 console is the equivalent of U.S. $ 250. (Taxes in Brazil are very high. Not exist a policy that benefits the production of video games. If the Zeebo a day is produced outside of Brazil it may have a cost to the consumer, much smaller than here in Brazil.)
- If you delete one game from Zeebo flash memory, you will need to pay and download again, the same game.
The hope is in:
- Rate of the games, between R$ 10 and R$ 30 dollar equivalent at U.S. $ 4.40 and U $ 13.10
- Promise that in 12 months the console will be able to generate graphics-quality Resident Evil 4.
Access to 3G network to download the games is free. Only if paid by the game and not the connection, but does not provide Internet access and for now no MMO games will beings able because of the cost of connection.
The Tectoy reported that are supporting the console: Activision, EA, Capcom, Namco, SEGA, Konami and Gameloft. In 2009 Zeebo will have 50 games.More examples of games for Zeebo: http://www.youtube.com/wa…6Uq10 And official website: http://www.zeebo.com.br/zeebo/
Excuse my English, I counted with the help of Google translator.
Right link for examples Zeebo`s games from Tectoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7P9gv6Uq10
Zeebo´s games, Tectoy post a new list, in oficcial website
http://www.zeebo.com.br/games.aspx
Namco: Ports from PS1, Tekken 2 and Ridge Racer
Sega: Ports from Dreamcast, Crazy Taxi, Sonic Adventure, and a new Virtua Tenis 3
Capcom: Resident Evil 4 and Street Fighter Alpha