Did Gamepark make money on the GP32?

[MfA]

Im just wondering, does a new handheld really need big industry support to succeed?

What would a omap2420/sh7770/other-MBX-SoC based handheld with a 320*240 screen cost? Throw in a compactflash slot, and allow open development on it ... for native games use online distribution (easiest to protect, which is necessary since with the open programming you have given a lot of the obscurity away ... and console security is always by obscurity). Each device has its own key to which the game is locked on the fly by the server (you'll probably need some extra hardware, say a FPGA, for DRM). So a backup can be stored on your PC.

It all comes down to cost I guess, if you can make it cheap enough it will sell IMO.

Maybe this is what MOMA is trying to do with their device, but I dont like the design ... not the architecture, and not the shape. Plus the inclusion of the HD, drives up the initial purchase price.

 

[SegaR&D]

$130-$150

 

[FatherJohn]

It's not just cost...

Dell sells the unsubsidised Axim X30 pocket pc for $250, and there are plenty of games and emulators for it, but it's not serious competition for the gameboy.

Why? Because all the cool games are on the gameboy, and it's cheaper. Nintendo's built a whole economy around gameboy.

Online game delivery is probably still a generation away from really working for non-cellphone games. We'll see how Steam goes.

Phones would normally be ideal for what you describe, but probably won't work because of the double subsidy problem:

You can't combine two subsidised products into one combo product because if you did, you'd have to charge more than buying each one separately.

 

[MfA]

It is not an interesting form factor, you have to be able to play GBA games with decent controls to start with. Also it is still too expensive ... wince doesnt help there, probably adds 10-20$ to the price.

Also, it doesnt have to beat the gameboy ... it just has to make money (which Im sure Dell is doing too, but very little in the handheld console market ... it is just not an interesting device for that purpose).