Consumer Electronics Show 2004 Day 2 - VIA's new Gaming Console
by Anand Lal Shimpi on January 10, 2004 5:09 PM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
How Xtreme are we talking?
As we mentioned before, the ApeXtreme will play any off-the-shelf PC game, but given that the OS is not exposed to the end user how do you install/play the games? The claim of support for any PC game does have one caveat – the game must be supported by a special script that will install/run the game when the disc is inserted. Apex is working on developing scripts for as many games as possible, with around 600 ready right now. The script basically detects the game and handles all of the installation of the game onto the hard drive; the installation process obviously takes a while but once it is complete you can just insert the game disc and you will be able to play the game.
This is the screen that you are greeted with when you power the system on
The unit we were playing with already had Star Wars Rogue Squadron installed, so putting the Rogue Squadron disc in the DVD drive resulted in a launcher screen popping up after several seconds.
From the launcher screen you can elect to play the game, which will start the game just like double clicking an executable would on a PC. All of the features of the game are available to you by default, meaning you could turn up the resolution, turn off features, reconfigure your controls, etc… Since we're talking about unmodified PC games, a keyboard is pretty much necessary to get the best gaming experience possible, which is why Apex was demonstrating the unit with a wireless keyboard.
The default resolution the system will run at is 1024x768, while all games will run at their default installed resolution. Remember that since all games have to be installed onto the hard drive just like you would on a PC, the drive can eventually fill up. In the event that there isn't enough room to install a game, the least used game will be deleted in order to make room for the new game. If you decide to go back and play that older game you'll have to go through the same installation process when you insert the older game disc.
Since we are talking about a PC the ApeXtreme could potentially run much more than games, although Apex and VIA are just focusing on games at this point.
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pluty - Monday, December 27, 2004 - link
why is it, that when playing madden 2004-5, you can't use plays you've chosen for your personal playbook in the coaching mode, and you can only use the chicago bears playbook. I like to call my plays and watch the computer run them. any suggestions?franguinho - Thursday, January 22, 2004 - link
its an interesting idea but poorly implemented IMO... id much rather buy a gamepad and half decent graphics card and play PC games on an actual PC... (which in fact is what i do).yanon - Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - link
I think this thing can become a hit if someone hack this and turned it into an all-purpose player which supports divx/xvid/rmvb, multi-regions dvd (with region-free installed), moderate pc gaming, TiVo, digital audio player (with winamp installed), digital photography, and web browser.othercents - Thursday, January 15, 2004 - link
Check out this website about the Discover technology behind the ApeXtreme.http://www.discoverconsole.com/default.htm
There are supposed to be higher end consoles available at the same time as Apex releases theirs. Some of the consoles are P4 3.0ghz with GeforceFX video cards. So there should not be any problem playing any game released today and since they are going to be upgradable you should be able to play newer games also.
For those who don't want to use their Main TV, I would just like to remind you that most homes have at least 3 or 4 TVs. I actually have a Wall Projector just for my game consoles and movies and then a regular TV for every day use.
Regards,
Other
quanta - Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - link
I would rather build my mini-ITX PC cubes. As I recall, VIA CPUs have even worse floating point perforance than K6, which make important differences for every 3D game made since Quake I. Although many graphics operations are handled by video cards, CPU floating point processing are still being used for things like 3D audio, game physics engine, and AI. Unfortunately, the C3 still have extra weak FPU, cutting down potential frame rate on (almost) every game.Idoxash - Monday, January 12, 2004 - link
Great idea and really kewl if they can get other console gaming companys to make some games useing that much poweful gpu. However the cost is high. You can build a much faster system for that cost if you wanted to play just PC games. It looks as if this thing can hook to a monitor? Such as a computer one if so thatya be better then a TV at least.HRM, Good luck to VIA and Apex all I can say!
--Idoxash
HammerFan - Sunday, January 11, 2004 - link
5 posts in a row... damn :Ptw1164 - Sunday, January 11, 2004 - link
I like the idea, but the price is a little high. You can get a new dell for that price, but alot faster. I see this device quickly falling behind in games.KillaKilla - Sunday, January 11, 2004 - link
Is CES already covered in the Day One report? I'd a thunk there'd be more there... damn.Abraxas - Sunday, January 11, 2004 - link
if they can get the price down, it looks like a good bet for a divx player :) any other divx capable dvd players on the market? this looks like the best ive seen.