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DDDDave · 05-13-2004, 06:34 AM

Latest news article.....

I think it addresses a lot of the issues you guys have brought up.

"From all the stuff I've read...", "...dirtbags..." , "slimey bastards"

I've seen one negative article. It seemed well written and factual. But there are two sides to every story.

FWIW, I wouldn't pay $29.95/mo. for it either, but a bunch of other people might.

Infinium Labs launched its Phantom Gaming Service in style Wednesday, as video game execs crammed their way through a two-story exhibit with its own observation tower, private meeting rooms and a huge video sign that can be seen from one end of the Los Angeles Convention Center to the other.

After holding down the fort for five hours, executive vice president Rich Skoba struggled to find a place quiet enough to hold a cell phone conversation.

"There are hundreds of people in the exhibit, and it has been that way since 10 a.m. this morning," Skoba said. "It is wall-to-wall people."

After 18 months of planning, fund raising and design, Infinium Inc. finally had its chance Wednesday to show off its sleek new game-playing machine. The Electronic Entertainment Expo that began Wednesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, now in its 10th year, is a focal point for the $7 billion-a-year video game industry.

The Phantom Gaming Service uses a custom-designed console and peripherals to access a subscriber-only network. For $30 a month on a two-year contract, customers will receive a free Phantom console and peripherals designed to act as a family-room Internet appliance that will load whatever game they want to play via the existing broadband connection.

The console is designed to be a no-muss, no-fuss game-playing appliance, similar in that sense to the Xbox and PlayStation 2, but different in that all game content will arrive instantly via the Internet, rather than being fed into the console from a separately purchased CD-ROM.

In this corner, the Xbox

Within the cavernous 550,000-square-foot exhibit space, Infinium leased a space four times the size of an average home.

The company needed the space in order to make a splash equivalent in size to its much larger competitors -- in particular Microsoft with its Xbox and Xbox Live.

The Phantom exhibit depicts different places such as living rooms and dorm rooms where the Phantom might be used.

If the Phantom gets a smooth launch, it will be because retailers and game makers see it as a viable alternative for marketing video games and getting paid.

"We are actually pioneering a whole new way of distributing games," said Infinium CEO Kevin Bachus, also speaking from Los Angeles.

A Microsoft veteran, Bachus played a major role in the launch of that company's Xbox. That product line is coming into its own, especially since since Microsoft started offering Xbox Live, a one-year package that includes an online subscription that allows multiplayer games over the Internet.

Phantom will have that ability also, but it goes beyond Xbox by making the games themselves available over the net.

Say you decided to try a new game, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004, which is available for Windows PCs, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Gamecube and Microsoft Xbox.

If the game were available on Phantom, you would log on, navigate a menu and find it.

You would then have the choice of downloading a trial version to see if you like it, renting the game for a weekend, or buying it outright.

The Phantom uses its hard drive to store the game as it downloads it from the company's computer network.

To allow for instant access, the game is gradually downloaded while you are playing it.

Cash incentives

Bachus said retailers, who have done well with services like DirecTV and cell phones, are attracted to the terms of the Infinium deal, as are game makers.

"It's just like with a cell phone company," he said. "If Toys 'R' Us signs up a Phantom subscriber, they get a piece of the monthly subscription and any additional purchses the customer makes for the life of that subscription. They could close the store the next day and still get a check."

Game publishers are said to be interested because they have a tough time showcasing their games so consumers can buy them.

Retail shelf space is at a premium, with room for perhaps 200 titles at a store versus 50,000 titles that are published. Many fine games that run on PCs -- particularly multiplayer games -- never get any retail visibility.

Also, game sequels designed to run on specific machines like the Sony PlayStation2 are sometimes shoved off the shelves to make room for newer games even when they still have a following.

With the Phantom, subscribers will receive a starter library of free games. New choices will show up monthly.

But mainly, the consumer will be invited to try out games by cruising through the on-line menus. If they like a game, they can buy it online.

Infinium said it also will offer premium content packages, in much the same way that cable TV companies offer higher-priced packages that include extra channels.

Infinium aims to launch the service on Nov. 18, a week before Thanksgiving and at the start of the holiday shopping season.

The company plans to announce retailers, game makers and broadband service providers that have teamed up with Infinium starting in July, according to Skoba.

Infinium's biggest surprise at the show was the decision to offer the gaming console, keyboard and game pad package free to consumers who sign a two-year contract for the service at $29.95 a month.

The reason, said Bachus: "Because I want to build up as large an installed base as possible."

"It is a subscription model," he said. "It is not a bet on my part. I know how much you are worth to me on a monthly basis."

05-13-2004, 06:34 AM	#45 (permalink)
DDDDave Addict Location: Sarasota	Latest news article..... I think it addresses a lot of the issues you guys have brought up. "From all the stuff I've read...", "...dirtbags..." , "slimey bastards" I've seen one negative article. It seemed well written and factual. But there are two sides to every story. FWIW, I wouldn't pay $29.95/mo. for it either, but a bunch of other people might. Infinium Labs launched its Phantom Gaming Service in style Wednesday, as video game execs crammed their way through a two-story exhibit with its own observation tower, private meeting rooms and a huge video sign that can be seen from one end of the Los Angeles Convention Center to the other. After holding down the fort for five hours, executive vice president Rich Skoba struggled to find a place quiet enough to hold a cell phone conversation. "There are hundreds of people in the exhibit, and it has been that way since 10 a.m. this morning," Skoba said. "It is wall-to-wall people." After 18 months of planning, fund raising and design, Infinium Inc. finally had its chance Wednesday to show off its sleek new game-playing machine. The Electronic Entertainment Expo that began Wednesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, now in its 10th year, is a focal point for the $7 billion-a-year video game industry. The Phantom Gaming Service uses a custom-designed console and peripherals to access a subscriber-only network. For $30 a month on a two-year contract, customers will receive a free Phantom console and peripherals designed to act as a family-room Internet appliance that will load whatever game they want to play via the existing broadband connection. The console is designed to be a no-muss, no-fuss game-playing appliance, similar in that sense to the Xbox and PlayStation 2, but different in that all game content will arrive instantly via the Internet, rather than being fed into the console from a separately purchased CD-ROM. In this corner, the Xbox Within the cavernous 550,000-square-foot exhibit space, Infinium leased a space four times the size of an average home. The company needed the space in order to make a splash equivalent in size to its much larger competitors -- in particular Microsoft with its Xbox and Xbox Live. The Phantom exhibit depicts different places such as living rooms and dorm rooms where the Phantom might be used. If the Phantom gets a smooth launch, it will be because retailers and game makers see it as a viable alternative for marketing video games and getting paid. "We are actually pioneering a whole new way of distributing games," said Infinium CEO Kevin Bachus, also speaking from Los Angeles. A Microsoft veteran, Bachus played a major role in the launch of that company's Xbox. That product line is coming into its own, especially since since Microsoft started offering Xbox Live, a one-year package that includes an online subscription that allows multiplayer games over the Internet. Phantom will have that ability also, but it goes beyond Xbox by making the games themselves available over the net. Say you decided to try a new game, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004, which is available for Windows PCs, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Gamecube and Microsoft Xbox. If the game were available on Phantom, you would log on, navigate a menu and find it. You would then have the choice of downloading a trial version to see if you like it, renting the game for a weekend, or buying it outright. The Phantom uses its hard drive to store the game as it downloads it from the company's computer network. To allow for instant access, the game is gradually downloaded while you are playing it. Cash incentives Bachus said retailers, who have done well with services like DirecTV and cell phones, are attracted to the terms of the Infinium deal, as are game makers. "It's just like with a cell phone company," he said. "If Toys 'R' Us signs up a Phantom subscriber, they get a piece of the monthly subscription and any additional purchses the customer makes for the life of that subscription. They could close the store the next day and still get a check." Game publishers are said to be interested because they have a tough time showcasing their games so consumers can buy them. Retail shelf space is at a premium, with room for perhaps 200 titles at a store versus 50,000 titles that are published. Many fine games that run on PCs -- particularly multiplayer games -- never get any retail visibility. Also, game sequels designed to run on specific machines like the Sony PlayStation2 are sometimes shoved off the shelves to make room for newer games even when they still have a following. With the Phantom, subscribers will receive a starter library of free games. New choices will show up monthly. But mainly, the consumer will be invited to try out games by cruising through the on-line menus. If they like a game, they can buy it online. Infinium said it also will offer premium content packages, in much the same way that cable TV companies offer higher-priced packages that include extra channels. Infinium aims to launch the service on Nov. 18, a week before Thanksgiving and at the start of the holiday shopping season. The company plans to announce retailers, game makers and broadband service providers that have teamed up with Infinium starting in July, according to Skoba. Infinium's biggest surprise at the show was the decision to offer the gaming console, keyboard and game pad package free to consumers who sign a two-year contract for the service at $29.95 a month. The reason, said Bachus: "Because I want to build up as large an installed base as possible." "It is a subscription model," he said. "It is not a bet on my part. I know how much you are worth to me on a monthly basis." __________________ I am just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe... "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Thoreau "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm" - Emerson