GDC: Zeebo Console Unveiled

Today, Zeebo Inc. announced their new wireless game console, which is designed for emerging markets. Featuring 3G wireless game delivery, the Zeebo will launch in Brazil next month, where it will ship for the price equivalent of $199 U.S. dollars. The Zeebo system will come pre-loaded with four games, with the ability to download a fifth title for free.

"The Zeebo console will deliver a truly engaging and entertaining gaming experience to a potential billion new consumers around the world, many of whom have never experienced gaming in the home," said John F. Rizzo, CEO, Zeebo. "The system provides an intuitive, quick, and easy-to-use home shopping user experience featuring popular, culturally optimized content from leading game publishers and developers around the world. It also delivers high value and warranty protection compared to gray-market products with no need for a separate wireless access plan."

Additionally, developers like Capcom, Digital Chocolate, EA Mobile, Gameloft, id Software, Namco Networks and THQ announced their support of the Zeebo platform.

"We are excited to partner with Zeebo on their visionary and ambitious global gaming initiative," said Takeshi Tezuka, general manager of Mobile Contents Development for Capcom. "The evolutionary combination of fast 3G wireless digital distribution and a simple yet elegant business model will open up new avenues to reach gamers directly with some of our top titles such as Street Fighter Alpha."

"Zeebo is an innovative partner in our efforts to reach consumers in emerging markets, we are supporting their launch in Brazil," said Antonio Curi, EA Mobile. "We are supporting the Zeebo launch, offering Need for Speed Carbon and FIFA 09, which will feature a Portuguese voiceover."

"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."

"The emerging markets of the world have historically presented a very interesting dichotomy between a huge untapped consumer base and a very real piracy issue," said Doug Clemmer, president of THQ Wireless. "Zeebo has solved this problem by providing THQ a direct path to deliver a great entertainment experience to consumers in emerging markets."