Infinium Labs has
announced that its PC-console hybrid gaming device and service, the Phantom, will be delayed
and will now launch in 2005.
According to Infinium Labs, the delay is a result of
consultations with marketing and retail partners and has nothing to do with the hardware
components or infrastructure required to run the service.
According to the
manufacturer's plans, the Phantom service would provide a free console for users willing to
pay a subscription fee to access games via a broadband connection. The original plan called
for a November 2004 U.S. release, with a European launch following shortly
thereafter.
Retailers gear their fourth quarter holiday promotions around gift-giving
opportunities, said Infinium president Kevin Bachus, and they feel, as we do, that our
service will not be bought primarily as a gift for someone else. It will more likely be a
self-purchase.
This explanation may make sense to marketing experts but it does not
seem to be the right move for the creators, especially if, as they claim, the project is
ready for launch. The console has already received severe criticism regarding the financial
model it utilizes and its feasibility and consumer confidence in the product is shaky to say
the least, a delay will definitely not
help.
