Remember Playtron and PlaytronOS? They made an attempt at a big splash recently with plans to create a Linux-powered system to rival SteamOS (Steam Deck) and Windows across various devices and multiple stores. The first device has been announced and it's some weird web3 thing.
I should note, Playtron's CEO offered some details before the announcement, but didn't actually follow-up on providing me with anything. So I'm simply going by what has been announced and the seemingly official page for it is mostly blank, with just a newsletter sign up box.
It was announced at Sui Basecamp (Sui being a Web3 blockchain company) with the reveal from Mysten Labs. According to Sui it's called the SuiPlay0x1 and it will be released in 2025. As noted on X (formerly Twitter): "SuiPlay0X1 runs Playtron's device-agnostic gaming operating system, enabling gamers to play both Web3 and Web2 games across PC and mobile."
And uh, it looks apparently like this:
Picture credit: Sui/Mysten Labs/Playtron
Those sticks and d-pad look rather terrible don't think? Why is it so flat? That does not look comfortable to game with. GamesBeat have some more details, noting it will have "native Sui blockchain integration via zkLogin and Sui Kiosk SDKs, enabling asset ownership directly connected to a device’s account system for the first time in the gaming industry" and it might cost somewhere around $500 and while it seems to have deep integration with Sui blockchain stuff, it will support other stores too. Doesn't seem like any technical specifications have been given out yet.
So if blockchain web3 stuff is your jam, then you might be interested in this I guess? Not one for me honestly.
Until Playtron actually get some agreements to be on more…normal devices, I don't really see it going anywhere. At least once they eventually release the first public builds of the Linux-based PlaytronOS we might see what they're really up to.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.
QuoteSo if blockchain web3 stuff is your jam, then you might be interested in this I guess? Not one for me honestly.
I'm going to agree with you there, Liam. I don't like the design of the device and blockchain is the last thing I want when it comes to handheld gaming
Quotenative Sui blockchain integration via zkLogin and Sui Kiosk SDKs, enabling asset ownership directly connected to a device’s account system for the first time in the gaming industry
That certainly is a lot of words
QuoteThose sticks and d-pad look rather terrible don't think? Why is it so flat? That does not look comfortable to game with.That d-pad is even flatter than the one on the Game Boy Advance SP, which was super-flat by necessity due to the console's clamshell design, and I really didn't get on well with it.
But going by how they seem to be using sticks with barely any room to move in this image (and not, as it looked like on first glance, sliders like the excellent Circle Pad on the Nintendo 3DS*), I'd say that this render was made by folks who probably don't know a whole lot about gaming. The rest of the info, with all the gumph about blockchain and Web 3.0 and so on, appears to back up that viewpoint, too.
*Something like that would be most welcome on a properly pocket-sized device, clamshell or not. The Circle Pad worked so incredibly well, and I miss it.
DOA.
Thumbs up to the marketing guys, great name SuiPlay0x1.
Quoting: MohandevirOne word and one feeling comes to my mind:
DOA.
You make a big assumption that it will actually arrive xD
Quoting: PenglingSomething like that would be most welcome on a properly pocket-sized device, clamshell or not. The Circle Pad worked so incredibly well, and I miss it.
I did love that circle pad too. It was awesome. But then I remember that with that handheld console's newer model also came another thing, one born in hell, from the nightmare of Satan itself... The right stick, also known as "The Nipple". There was hate in the world, and then there was something else, something everyone I know felt for that thing.
Quoting: RTherenQuoting: MohandevirOne word and one feeling comes to my mind:
DOA.
You make a big assumption that it will actually arrive xD
Come now, don't be so negative. They're going to sell dozens of them. Dozens!
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