Acer plans to join the console market

The taiwanese Notebook manufacturer Acer plans to enter into the console market. This communicated the senior Vice President, James T. Wong, on a press conference. Most current consoles are closed and proprietaere systems, which machine" on PC technology based "game machine"; from Acer is to set against it on open standards. This could mean that game developers would not have to pay license fees for the publication of plays on this system.

[heyheyhey]

this should be interesting

[mikeslemonade]

I'm calling April fools on this one.

[Pain]

What will PCbox360 do now when there is another place to play its games?

[NovusTerminus]

Ummm... >.>... Yeah... I dont see this working out at all.

[Ri0tSquad]

This was the same response people gave when Sony said they were going to come out with a gaming console. Now look at it. Sony is taken very seriously.

[Time Lord]

very very different.

[Genesis5]

Why? The market is pretty cut throat right now. Unless you are launching with at least a handful of really good games and some promotional marketing genious on your side. I can't see it being anything but not a good idea.

[Soren the Cat]

phantom 2.0 ftw?

(wasn't that the name of the console/pc that never got released?)

[gaffyh]

Acer should try not to make crappy laptops which are DOA, or break in a few weeks of purchase, before they make a console. MS=16% failure rate, Acer will = 100% failure rate.

Also doubt it, I don't think Acer can compete

[Silver360]

As they slow down piracy. Look at the PC and how developers get screwed every which way. And the cost MS lost billions to get in the market and Sony lost a billion just launching the PS3. They market is 1 too crowded and 2 who the heck would be buying this thing? Between the PS3, 360 and Wii where would anyone find time for a new system.

[Lionsguard]

When Sony first came out with the Playstation people might of been a bit skeptic but then they looked around and saw that pretty much every piece of technology in their house besides their car was Sony and then realized that the radio inside the car was Sony as well. So what's Acer?

[Omegasyde]

@Ri0tSquad.

Honestly, the same principle you just stated can also be worked both ways. Look at Nokia and the Ncage. A Reputable company, with tried to step out into the portable gaming world.

Acer, also isn't the first people to create a low budget "living room" PC. Many companies have tried and failed.

"Internet TV" works, but "TV internet" doesn't..atleast not yet. They can claim you can play computer games in the living room, yet computer games are focused on keyboards/mouse (few exceptions) Computer games also tend to have online multiplayer only. (few exceptions)

[jiinn]

Acer only need make a integrated, set-top PC based on DX10 & an embedded Vista.

They'll be able to bring PC games into the living rooms.

If they try and create a 4th "platform" (with their own standards, library and such), they'll fail badly.

The budgets are far too big to risk another platform. Getting off the ground will not work for another platform.

Sony entered at a good time, and Sega failed. MSFT has its PC-gaming history, software experience and existing relationships with game developers. Ninento has history.

If they built a "bring PC games to the living room" *standard target* they just might pull it off.

[Homicide]

LOL! I have an Acer laptop and it sucks ass!

[JsonHenry]

WOW! No license fees!?

If this is even close to selling even moderately people will be lining up around the block to make games for it.

[Richdad]

Great: PC + Console in at a single price no paid live service etc. Games at cost of PC games it good.
Good: if console comes with 2 quad core processor and 8800 Sli and 4 GB Ram with its own sreen to play anywhere( like a laptop not PSP or DS)WOW.

Bad: if the console needs upgradation like PC seriously this will be a big issue.
Controllers, Virus protection ( Virus kind of slow the system) and you might be saying hey this games runs at 60fps but its looking like @20 fps. Price whore.

Future: Could be start of single console generation or end of ACer.

[Cyrus365]

There basically just releasing a Console version of a PC, so PC software works on the TV, or atleast thats what i got.

[TheIneffableBob]

PC software already works on TVs...

[Sayai jin]

The more competition the merrier, but I doubt this will last very long.

[Superiorrior]

It'll definitely go the way of the old Panasonic console back in the day, in short, not very far.

[vloeistof]

4 consoles wow

mabey we will have acer fanboys in a few years

[BLUR111]

lol ^^

[GETPWNT]

Would probably be smarter than the sony fanboys lol.

[liquidsnake]

and definentely smarter then the bots. I mean just the tought of buying a defective piece of hardware?

[Alcaponeyou]

fanboy are xbutts

[eagle21]

lol...look it up, cause if it weren't for a Gamepro article, I wouldn't know what a Pippen was either...lol

[MK_Red]

Good call.
Unless Acer is looking for something casual related like Wii, they don't stand a chance and even then their console will probably end up like Pippen.

[heyheyhey]

so what are we going to call Acer fanboys?

im thinking "A-mechanical structures" since "bots" and "droids" are already taken up

[GETPWNT]

I'm thinking try harder.......

[Darrius Cole]

How about "Ace-holes" lol.

[GETPWNT]

HAHAHAHHAAH PERFECT! U GODDAMN ACEHOLE

[Stubacca]

I dunno.

I'm really excited by the prospect but it'll probably be a no show!

It would be very difficult to manage and market it. The wii has the casual gamer/fad market. The X-box has it's snotty teens and FPS freaks/racists. The PS3 has tech geeks and everyone else.

I'm just curious as to who Acer would target their console for and who's business it would effect.

[meepmoopmeep]

well, they better have some SERIOUS arsenal. good luck to them anyhow.

[FunkyBunch]

I mean, do we really want a company that makes less than good computers make a console?
Won't it be less than good also?
Can you imagine the headlines:

Extra! Extra!
"Not innovative or technologically advanced new console for sale!"
"No redeeming features!"
"Buy one anyway!"

[eyeDEVOUR]

we dont need another microsoft...

[Bleucrunch]

wow easy their dog acer makes a really good computer so I wont hate on them righ now.

[JVIDICAN]

they make good computer screens not sure about actual computers though

[ICUP]

3 console is enough.

[humble_gamer]

i think u mean 2 and 2/3 consoles since the 360 only works 2/3 of the time.

[smokeymicpot]

If they do make one it won't come out when the next gen comes out. Which is a couple years from now at least. So theres really no need to worry

[ystrandz]

I SERIOUSLY DONT SEE HOW THIS COULD WORK .. THERE LAPTOPS ARENT EVEN ACE(R) IN THE FIRST PLACE .. GOOD LUCK TO THEM ANYWAY

[gonzopia]

Don't shout.

[ystrandz]

Im not shouting .. just that I prefer to type in caps .. Is this better??

[Blasphemy]

I don't see this console being successful at all. How does Acer plan to make money if they don't make money on software? They could go the Nintendo route and make money on hardware but look were Nintendo is at with third party developers. Another thing does Acer even make games? What accentive would someone have to buy this console over PS3, 360 or Wii?

[BWS1982]

"accentive" ??

[Scottama]

INcentive

[BWS1982]

I was fairly certain what word he meant, but c'mon, you have to admit it is almost inexcusable to be that "off" in your typing.

[gambare]

what will be this time? green ring of death?

[TheTerminator]

do we have another sony on our hands?

[SilPho]

Let's just say they had better have better customer service and more reliable products than they used to, I think they've improved recently but my history with Acer hasn't been the smoothest.

If they try to compete with Microsoft and Sony I can't see it working, I may be wrong. If they go after a different sort of market all together then perhaps it could work. Either way, we'll wait and see. No point making a firm judgment now.

[GrimWarrior]

I have a funny feeling reading this...

Games + Acer = the Gacer!!!!

lol but I dont think they are able to compete against Nintendo, Sony, and MS... but u never know!!!

is that gonna be this gen or the next(2011 or so)??

[beardtm]

So if this is a small factor gaming PC, ie. looks like a console but is a gaming PC, that would be pretty cool, but the big question would be...

How long till PC games dont run on it?

Because i cant see devs developing specifically for it.

However if they did, it would increse the lifespan of gaming PCs somewhat.

[TheTerminator]

As long as it doesnt delay Judgment day, I don't mind

[beardtm]

LOL awesome!

[Odonnus]

Arguably the greatest post of all time! It's almost too much to handle right now lol. Even better that people agree and disagree with it!

[KyonoRocks]

Hah that was brilliant

On the topic, at least we'll have another set of fanboys to mock ;)

ACER RULEZ lol

[lodossrage]

But look at MS and Sony

When Sony first came on the console scene, Everyone THOUGHT nintendo and sega would wipe them out. Yet sony rose past both the sega saturn and the n64.

When MS came on the scene, everyone said "they don't know anything about the console market" and they wouldn't survive against sony, sega, and nintendo. But they did survive

All I'm saying is that lets give them a chance before we start writing them off. Sony and MS showed that you can be the newer company (console wise) and still find your place in the console world.

[Stryfeno1]

I couldn't agree more...

[bakasora]

i think the console market is pretty saturated now..

[MpV35]

If you noticed, both Sony and Microsoft really only had two other competing companies to go up against. Sony had Sega and Nintendo, and Microsoft had Sony and Nintendo. Acer will have three and that just has failure written all over it. Plus, where would they fit? Sony is pushing the technical & graphical side, Nintendo is pushing the low cost family friendly alternative with new innovations, and microsoft fits into the middle. What can they possible bring besides "computer gaming to the living room."?

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

I can smell an ass kicking from all the way over here.

[IzKyD1331]

if acer joins the console war, they'll get whipped, beaten and slapped by the fury of sony, microsoft and nintendo.....microsoft's first attempt into the console war failed miserably, but MS was rich enough to continue, acer on the other hand doesnt have the cash to come back

[lockload]

And if there is no licence fees then acer have to make money off that hardware so it aint going to be cheap

The reason why sony/ms can sell for example a pretty high spec console is due to a long term revenue model from games acer will have none of this

[Superiorrior]

Same could be said for many consoles through out the generations, most of which peaks at Xbox 360 in terms of sampling, in short, It's a PC first and foremost with mid-tech.

While I doubt Acer will pull off a Sony, I'm interested to see where this goes.

[LevDog]

You have got to be Joking me??? I think they are setting us up for some super Saturday Nite Live Show.. I mean seriously hahaha they would have to come up with something soo innovative that they can compete.. Like a capsule you step in and are transported to a Virtual Reality world.. Kinda like spy kids 3D.. other than that.. NO WAY

[xplosneer]

More like Digimon World or something, without the digimon. These evil demons will come and take over the network though, and everyone's brains.

Just messin.

[Bladestar]

I think Microsoft should be taking advantage of the lastest situation. Where every company wants to be in the console making business... and do what they did with PC... let other make the hardware... run the console OS and provide the development tools... though I don't want so many consoles in the market.. but with so many rumors about Toshiba, EA and now Acer trying to enter the market... things can get very ugly...

[whoelse]

lol.

[Rattles]

lol

[ISA_Scum]

I still think Apple should jump in. Seriously, I think they could do well. Acer....we'll see. They might have a shot...or they may just fail.

[jiinn]

Apple has 2-3% of the PC market. They've tried to get games time after time after time -- and failed every time.

Apple is about status objects for people vulnerable to marketing -- they dont stand a chance in gaming.

[Bnet343]

Apple already joined in a while back and failed. Apple doesn't care about games or gamers.

[Jen5en]

If Acer would allow a community to have open source and a completely open community (think PSN on crack) then it could be a complete breath of fresh air. Competition is good, bring it on Acer!

[mintaro]

can anybody say losses?

[Phil Harrison Mk4]

Sounds like a another PATHETIC computer company trying to get into gaming???
Hmm sounds like Micro$oft!!! ;-D
Can't they see its not working for them???
Coz the xBox360 is PURE CR*P!!! ;-D

[Phil Harrison Mk4]

Don't think it would work really. Microsoft have got Billions to spend on there console if something goes wrong(im saying nothing!!!)
;-D If things didn't go right for Acer don't think they have the Billions to put it right???
Leave the consoles to people who know what they are doing
i.e SONY and Nintendo(Shock horror i said that, your all thinking) ;-D
Stick with the PS3;) It's got it all for the next 10 years!;)

[QuackPot]

Sony does know a thing or two but they've also been slow catch onto the obvious or been dragging their feet - the casual gamer, the PC console not just the entertainment centre, the Wii mote, matching the competition with net service and ingame functionality.

Acer will likely fail due to the fact they don't have the support of game developers....unless they can convince developers to port games to an Open Source GameOS. Now, if Acer can do this then Sony, Ninetindo and Microsoft are finished .

A fixed(H/W and GameOS) and standard GAME FORMAT with Ubisoft, EA, Activision porting major titles to it would be too dame good to turn down. They the buyer can decide whether to buy an Acer, Toshiba, Lenevo, Philips game console....depending on how much bang for your buck you get.

Clearly the future.

[DailyAddict]

I'd first be surprised if this actually makes the light of day, as it sounds like it could just be a thought baloon to see how the market reacts.

Moreover, if it did make it to the light, my guess is that it'd be a small PC over a console. Consoles have slowly been inching closer and closer to becoming a PC. All they are missing is the OS. PS3 can even run Linux completely, making it arguably the closest to a PC.

My guess is that if Acer was to enter, there console would actually be a shrunken PC, but with predetermined specs and the only thing swappable would be the Hard Drive (maybe RAM).

Besides what a lot of people may think, the idea is actually pretty simple and could be more successful than a lot of people expect. Essentially, they'd be bringing a high-performance gaming PC to the living room. Remove the ability to upgrade every component of the machine and take out the OS and essentially you have a console. By using architecture that's more in line with a PC, not only could the console be pretty cost effective, but for a developer it'd eliminate developer fees (because it'd be no different than building a game for a PC) but it'd mean they'd easily be able to gather some support from the PC industry. With that in mind, Acer would probably allow for keyboard/mouse in addition to the controller right from the get-go. This means that the Xbox would quickly lose its title as FPS king console.

In short, what they are doing is pretty much making a Media Center PC and targeting it towards gaming. It's very simple idea, but could be pretty effective.

[DJ]

Only problem is that if they don't make money off of the games developed for their system, then they'll be forced to sell their hardware at a profit which inevitably means that the system probably won't be very powerful in order to combat a potentially high price.

I'll wait for more info before I deem this vaporware.

[DarkSniper]

Another computer company joining the console war now? Dark Sniper believes this competition is very healthy. Microslaves will now have someone else to focus their pure hatred on in the battle of the worst console in history. Acer's console or Xbox. You be the judge.

[Z F1GHT3RS]

look wat he missed out.
he forgot to sign it.
multi accounts

[redaxis]

on console making and focuses on software... Do acer know what they are doing? Gaming industry is like a war field now and they are like a boy scout wana jump in with a pocket knife in hand...

[Goodfella78]

go the way of the panasonic 3do,and the atari jaguar.who knows i might even get the thing if it grew popular but somehow i doubt this.]peace out peeps.....

[QuackPot]

Acers is essentially promoting a standard PC Console FORMAT

Fixed minimal hardware specs:

* min CPU
* min GPU
* min Ram
* min HDD
* wireless/blue tooth
* An open source(unix based) GameOS using OpenGL

All games would be optimized for the minimal hardware specs.

This is what Sony should do with the Playstation Brand. Then companies like Acer, Toshiba, lenovo etc can all make their own models of Playstations - at various prices.

Just imagine having the option of buying a Ps4 for $200 from Lenevo with the bare minimal h/w specs or $300 Acer Ps4 that has more ram & Hdd space or the top of the line Sony or Samsung Ps4s selling for $400 with upgrades and features galore.

Because of the Open Source GameOs(unix based) the PC companies can tweak the OS to accommodate additonal features that they may include in their version of a Playstation eg. TV/radio tuner.

This is obviously the future but who's going to do it first. Microsoft won't because the OS isn't their's. So.....

I hope this is what Acer is planning as I've been thinking about the STANDARD GAME FORMAT for the past year now. Acer will only succeed if they can can get game developers aboard. That's going to be tough but they could make it slightly easier by having the GameOS based on Linux as even though small, there are at least games developed for Linux.

Otherwise, Sony......bring on the Open Source Playstations. I want my Samsung Ps4 now lol.

[Garrison]

NOT.
Acer owns Gateway.
ACer owns Emachines.
They own packard Bell as Well.

You guys have no clue.
An truly open platform is what developers have been crying out loud for especially Big ones like EA recently. Meaning a platform which they wouldn't have to pay anyone to have their games in there. Also, these are all PC games yes, but in all theory what it would take is just some additional programing for button configurations and Gaming execution.

PC Games can be downloaded right now so? So can X360 ones too. The diference betwen these consoles is that if Acer integrates a true OP "windows" most likely into this system it would be a big change in the gaming world. No more silly browsers, no control over what kinda content you could play on your tv and the internet as the way is intended to be with all it's services. AND one of the most incredible back catalogs of games ever from the start,assuming companies release "patches" so that their old games could be played in the Acer Machine.

[QuackPot]

If Acer is intending to remove the license fee for developers by putting Windows/Vista on it then think again. Microsoft gets alot of its revenue through licencing.

The GameOS will be an Open Source(unix based like Mac OSX or Linux). There's no licensing fee. Using OpenGL, all Acer then needs to do is optimize a Unix or Linux distribution for a minimum h/w specs and add in a great UI.

Then they can focus on convincing the multiplatform game developers like Ubisoft, Activision, EA to port games to this future PC Console.

Also, Microsoft won't allow a version of Vista on an Acer machine - or the Ps3 - because Acer and Sony are competitors. Have you heard of something called an xbox 360. Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

Good luck Acer.

[triarii85]

acer makes garbage, i know from experience. this console would break more than a 360

[Tyrael]

Im sorry this is probably terrible but i laughed like crazy the first time i read this

[xc7x]

why are people opposed to this in here **shrugs in disbelief**?

[flappo]

i agree

the last time a big computer company made a console was apple and the awful pippin

this could be as bad if not worse

acer are NO sony

[PMR_21]

PWNS ALL

[Ashira]

The more, the merrier, they say.
Well, good luck Acer. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how you fare in the now heated console wars :)

[BattleAxe]

If it were Apple, Sega or Toshiba then I would pay attention. If Acer comes out with a console it will be worse than the 360.

[Jdoki]

I reckon it'll be similar to the whole HTPC thing... Just specialised cases and possibly some minimum guidance for gaming requirements.

If they try and standardise certain harware they'll find it tough. Intel/Nvidia/AMD+ATI thrive on gamers upgrading and developers pushing the hardware.

[tweaker]

Acer's products has a much better reliability than the 360's no joke. ;)

[aaaaaaaaa]

I would like to see more details & hardware specs or as someone else said this news is nothing more than a thought bubble!.
As for the PS3 been open source this isn't true as Linux is some what crippled due to Sony not allowing Linux users full access to its hardware, PS3 + Linux = a £200 PC can do a lot more!

[DARK WITNESS]

if great games come out for it..... i will buy it !

[Keowrath]

3 is the magic number. Last gen one company died out. It's always been 3

nes, master system, atari
snes, genesis, pc engine
nintendo64, saturn, ps1
Gamecube, ps2, xbox, dreamcast (RIP sega)
360, Wii, PS3

The only generations that had more than 3 always saw a machine die out (Hello 3DO and Jaguar too)

3 is the magic number.

[ScottEFresh]

No thanks.

[Tryst]

wait there, but isn't the PS3 based on all open standards? Wireless, Blue tooth, USB etc even their online (thats how users of Unreal 3 can upload user created maps etc?)

[hotrider12]

I would buy it long as it perform better than 360 and the price is 199.00 starting off.

[Mr_Showtime1]

most of acers stuff do, like my first laptop was acer, switched for a macbook pro :)

[THE_JUDGE]

idea and they'd better think long and hard before jumping in. I think the industy has shown too many teams doesn't usually lead to good things.

[PsYcHoToE1]

The 360 will crush it, just as they have been and just as they are doing now.

All hail the 360!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bleucrunch]

you truly are a psycho.........

[Marty8370]

Totally pointless having a PC based console. Microsoft tried this with Xbox and that failed. Most people have PC's anyhow, I don't see how this would ever work.

The console market is easily big enough for 4 players, it's worth over 18 billion dollars. Just can't see a PC based console every catching on.

Also I can't see the likes of 'Acer' competing with the big boys of the console world like: Sony, Microsoft & Nintendo, each multi billion dollar companys. Acer is small fry.

[princejb134]

sorry but i havent even heard of accer
it would only succeed if its software and hardware allows both ps3 and xbox360 games to be played in one console
if i havent heard of them it may also mean they are very poor and will struggle in this next gen war

[witchking]

I'm surprised to see Acer take this tack. I really think they're looking for the PC developers to rally around a single spec, rather than have to fine-tune games for a myriad of PC configurations. But they've missed the mark. Frankly, a PC "console" still isn't going to be suit the many out there who want to build their own, overclock it, etc.

In other words, if Acer is looking for PC game companies to rally to this "console" as a single spec to focus on, they're nuts. The money isn't going to be made in the PC space on a single console-like configuration.

Now, if EA is going to get into this market, then that's another story. Because let's face it, can you imagine, if they succeed in buying Take Two, what kinds of exclusives they would have for their own console? Madden, GTA, Burnout, Mass Effect, Mercenaries, etc. etc. etc. EA creating its own console and pulling their software from the others would single-handedly change the landscape of the industry.

[XxCYONIDExX]

The last thing we need is another damn console.

[jazybp]

Sounds like another dreamcast!

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

This just sounds like a gamer PC, somthing Acer made anyway.

[tk]

Since Alienware was so successful and got bought out... this will most likely be an Alienware competitor.

[sandip787]

sony fanboys. 360 fanboys. nintendo fanboys.
i sense a universal arsewhooping is heading in the direction of any acer fanboys if this happens.

[solar]

imagine the piracy.... o.O