New Console: Mattel Hyperscan
by Chris Jorgensen · in General Discussion · 08/03/2006 (12:46 pm) · 12 replies
If you head on over to gamesetwatch.com and scroll down, there's a short article on Mattel's new video game console due out this fall called the Hyperscan. Supposedly 32-bit but specs aren't out yet. Targetted at boys age 8 to 12. Costs about $70.
There's now word yet on whether or not third party developers are allowed, but it's an interesting market to try and tap. I mean, if a parent can get a cheaper console but with games that have up to date IP (like recent cartoons on Cartoon Network), I can see this as being a better option that a $200-$300 Wii or Xbox, and definitely better than a $600 PS3.
Any else heard anything on this? Looks like it'd be an ideal platform for TGB. ;)
There's now word yet on whether or not third party developers are allowed, but it's an interesting market to try and tap. I mean, if a parent can get a cheaper console but with games that have up to date IP (like recent cartoons on Cartoon Network), I can see this as being a better option that a $200-$300 Wii or Xbox, and definitely better than a $600 PS3.
Any else heard anything on this? Looks like it'd be an ideal platform for TGB. ;)
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Owner of Cascadia Games LLC
#2
08/03/2006 (4:15 pm)
$70 sounds pretty pricey. A Gamecube costs around that much, and it already has a bunch of those commercial licencsed games put out for it all the time.
#3
What, Barbie is not doing so good anymore ?
And they're targeting boys 8 to 12, the group that's probably the most susceptible to peer pressure : why would they want a console from a girlie company (Barbie...) rather than what their friends have ?
I smell a failure, even if they might sell a fair number of units early on to clueless parents, lol
08/03/2006 (7:21 pm)
Mattel trying to get back in the game after a 20+ year hiatus, enticed by the smell of money, like in 1980....What, Barbie is not doing so good anymore ?
And they're targeting boys 8 to 12, the group that's probably the most susceptible to peer pressure : why would they want a console from a girlie company (Barbie...) rather than what their friends have ?
I smell a failure, even if they might sell a fair number of units early on to clueless parents, lol
#4
08/09/2006 (5:29 pm)
I can just picture the frowns on kid's faces when they open up their Hyperscan on Christmas morning instead of a 360/Wii/PS3. Poor kids...
#6
08/09/2006 (5:40 pm)
Well, I gotta support it somewhat since it uses RFID(my brother works for a company that makes the RFID readers and cards).
#9
Also, there is a real market for parents who simply cant afford to buy each of their kids a full blown console. But can buy three smaller systems at that price. With the old "Full Employment" standard falling further and further into the past, there is a growing segment of the population on low incomes, and these tend to have more kids due to less pressure from careers etc. At least that seems to be the case in the UK, just dont ask me to point to any facts and figures, I could be wrong!
I still get requests to fix and supply PSOnes from parents, mainly for their younger offspring.
08/10/2006 (12:34 am)
Whats wrong with rfid? I have to navigate the maze of 2/3d barcode systems, and its a real pita. RFID at least in the commercial warehousing/retail sector is looking to be a real boon. No more smudged barcodes.Also, there is a real market for parents who simply cant afford to buy each of their kids a full blown console. But can buy three smaller systems at that price. With the old "Full Employment" standard falling further and further into the past, there is a growing segment of the population on low incomes, and these tend to have more kids due to less pressure from careers etc. At least that seems to be the case in the UK, just dont ask me to point to any facts and figures, I could be wrong!
I still get requests to fix and supply PSOnes from parents, mainly for their younger offspring.
#10
08/10/2006 (9:57 am)
My problem with RFID is simple... it can be abused. Corporations (never mind our Government) have shown that, if they can abuse something to turn a better profit, they will.
#11
08/10/2006 (11:00 am)
Yes they have. However my kids will carry GPS on them tille there 18 :)
Employee Scott Burns
GarageGames
The biggest problem I see with this thing is the apparent reliance on card swiping. The e-reader wasn't exactly a failure, but it wasn't a smash success either. Though I suppose there is a niche in the market that this will fill.