Comments on: The Zeebo game console: Why it matters

Zeebo is a video game console designed for developing countries. And it might just be an industry game changer, given its focus and strategy.

[DannyMD]

Wish them luck, but with Streamming services becoming more available, and bandwidth cost more affordable, the console comes to market 5 years to late. DOA :(

[gefitz]

That's why they're not marketing the unit in the US, where broadband is indeed already "affordable" and ubiquitous (well, almost), compared to countries in South America, Central America, etc. In developing countries, where they hope to grow, the cost is still high.

Of course, I'd hardly call Brazil a "developing country".

Interesting, though, the high price of that console. Does that pay for the 3G access? If not, they'd have some work to do in getting their prices down.

[Thranx]

$250 in "developing" countries isn't going to fly. Maybe Brazil and Mexico, but still in that price range, I would assume the folks in those countries that are going to fork out that much cash will pickup a main brand console, not an unknown.

[jarturof]

Developing countries at $249 usd, consoles in Brazil must be very VERY expensive if they think that is a third world price.

Another "but" in the equation is the 3G, the prices of 3G (if there is 3G in those countries) is exessive, I don't get how it is a "console for the people" when it is as expensive as the Wii and you need to pay for the 3G connection.

I think poor countries will continue using PS2, Wii because they can get pirate copies of the games.

Zeebo may be an answer of how to "combat" piracy, you can't get a game otherwise but from them.

[dcardozo]

The problem is not the console price, but the games.
$250 can be afforded, although not easily, because it's a one time expense.
but $15 each game is way too much for a third world country.
Think of $5 a game, and at that level you can start selling.
I know, because I do live in one of those countries :)

[ghostfear]

Something about third world country most of you don't get it. In third world country, tech buys are more focused, they will pay $100-$200 for a cellphone, buy ride bikes, seat on home made tables. They don't go with complete tech picture as most of us do. They will play games on a small tv on the mud floor. They are poor because they don't have everything, but, selectively, they can afford one or two tech products. It is normal for a third world country person to spend two months of pay on one high tech product because that is all he will have for a long time. Each device they own are far more valuable thus enjoyable to them than for us.

[CyStarkman]

@ ghostfear

Thanks, that was both a real and educational comment.

[DannyMD]

Why pay 250 if you can buy a PS2 for 99 and get all the games you want? You can trade games with friends and neighbors, etc... It's a neat idea, it just doesn't have legs to run, unless they can get the hardware subsidized.

[tipoo_]

Well it fits...Qualcomm makes low power, low cost processors, which is probably what they are aiming for here.

[cozappz]

As DannyMD said spending $250 when a $99 PS2 is just around the corner and a modder is across the street makes this console DOA!

[rrskda]

I'd written a bit about Zeebo since I'm interested in whether it will come to China--my thoughts are that, like others have mentioned here, the price for the system and games is too high. I don't know what market forces are like in Brazil, but in China, at least in Beijing, those prices won't fly. Another problem entering the China market is that currently almost all consoles are banned, including the Xbox, PS2/3, Wii, and PSP (the DSi may be allowed, not sure). If Zeebo wants to come here, it's going to have to convince the government to allow it.

Another point I will add is that as far as I've seen, there are no online or multiplayer capabilities at all other than the game distribution platform itself--a serious flaw, considering how networked the world has become. (And offering Quake I and II without multiplayer? Honestly, what's the point?)

I remain optimistic and supportive of Zeebo overall, I think using 3G is a good idea and I hope it works. At the risk of shameless self-promotion, my longer post about it can be found here:
http://killermelons.blogspot.com/2009/05/zeebo-launches-in-brazil-china-next-no.html

[antoniokhouri]

I live in Brazil and have been researching this a lot. The market here is ready for more competition with consoles and we want them, but the import taxes are so high. You can't imagine. Tectoy, the company behind Zeebo, helped bring in these taxes to protect their garbage products. We'd rather have a Wii or PS3, trust me, but for now, we're very happy with the PS2. It's cheaper and has better, cheaper games. Yes, it's pirated, but piracy is a reality here. Tectoy helped to create the black market they're now trying to fight against.

Well, these are the best links I've found discussing the Zeebo in each BRIC country:

Brazil: http://missokistic.blogspot.com/2009/01/zeebo-dark-horse-or-doa.html

China: http://siliconhutong.typepad.com/silicon_hutong/2009/06/zeebo-and-its-six-big-challenges-in-china.html

India: http://www.gamingindians.com/2009/03/why-the-zeebo-will-fail-in-india/

Russia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9asznW7vGsY

[NervClaX]

That just sucks, man. I feel for ya.

[NervClaX]

Using a 3G wireless connection to download console games? Do you know what it costs to call Mexico? Your wireless bill will be higher than the cost of the game you downloaded.