We all know about the Chinese knock-off Wiis that are all over the place, but those are so last year. No one is going to want a knock-off of a Wii when they can get a knock-off of Kinect! At least that is the obvious thinking behind Chinese company Eedoo Software’s announcement that they will be launching the eBox, a new gaming platform that works without controls!
The eBox claims to do exactly what Kinect will do, and deliver a gaming interface that doesn’t need a controller. It’s made out of a webcam, and possibly some magic Chinese fairy dust. The system will come packaged with 30 free games, and as of now (and mostly likely into the future) will only be available in China. The company most likely plans to sell the system for less than a Xbox 360 itself — and thus less than Kinect and a 360 together — which I think is a very sound business move as it probably cost them five cents to put together.
Jack Luo, president of Beijing Eedoo Technology said, “Our product is designed for family entertainment. eBox may not have exquisite game graphics, or extensive violence, but it can inspire family members to get off the couch and get some exercise.”
We’ll have to wait until Destructoid gets its full review copy of the system, which I’m sure is just lost in the mail right now, to see how un-exquisite those graphics really are. However, if you want to test it out before the system’s projected launch date of early next year I believe there is a little known product out for the PlayStation 3 called the EyeToy that does the same thing.
Eedoo to take on big boys in video-gaming market [China Daily]
[Thanks, Maestro1]
