Phantom is back on the map

[A-Team]

Apparently Kevin Bachus, the recently-appointed CEO for Infinium, took the liberty of gracing attendees at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards last night with the Phantom.

The picture says more than I ever could about the event:

http://www.filerushnews.com/images/album401/aaa.thumb.jpg (http://www.filerushnews.com/gallery/album401/aaa)

Just to elaborate on the write-up, the picture was released last night and the PR was sent to me earlier this morning from one of the European press sites that I'm registered with.

[PantherModern]

Ugh. This thing just needs to die. It might have been able to hang in the last generation of consoles, but with the new ones on the way I find it hard to believe that anyone is going to invest in something like this. Especially given the plentiful bad press they have garnered and the numerous delays.

Phantom: DOA

[Puresock]

This is a joke, right? :D

That photo is just hilarious. It's something about the word "intelligent" being so close to his big grinning face.

[Evil Avatar]

The "lap" keyboard and mouse are great. They need to drop the console and just market that as an Xbox 360 or PS3 perpherial. (Or even for the PC.)

Even when (IF) they do come to market with this product... who is going to pay a monthly fee to play old PC games when you can play new Xbox 360 games for less money? And the Xbox 360 has a library of old arcade games you can play.

[Evil Avatar]

Nice post, Brandon.

[Morratut]

Phantom = Irrelevant.

Vapourware.

Next news item please :)

[civx]

Oh Phantom, when will you ever learn?

[netcraazzy]

The "lap" keyboard and mouse are great. They need to drop the console and just market that as an Xbox 360 or PS3 perpherial. (Or even for the PC.)


Yeah that lap keyboard looks like it would have a market. The console though, no way in hell. That keyboard would be pretty sweet to use with say... a 360 version of WoW :D

[Paranoia]

Is he promoting The Phantom or The George Foreman Grill?

[Vjornaxx]

There's a whole lot of bad press, and I feel like some people are just echoing that, but if the Phantom sells for significantly cheaper than a PS3 or XBOX 360, people will seriously consider it. Especially since it would run PC games at a fraction of the cost of buying a gaming PC.

[civx]

Is he promoting The Phantom or The George Foreman Grill?

He's certainly not promoting acne medication.

[Taco]

It looks like some Apple built design with a horribly compressed keyboard. Yeah baby!!!

[Murmillo]

I must say, it looks a lot nicer then the first showing of the Phantom. I'm sure its still crap inside. but wow, who would have thought it could look nice.

[Phades]

I'm with Evil, I really want them to release that lap keyboard and mouse setup. I'd seriously consider getting it if the price was right.

[Heretic Machine]

The lap keyboard and mouse could both easily be big sellers if they're wireless (not sure). I know lots of people who have to do sort of make-shift lap-tables to use their keyboards and mice, so I'm sure this would be a big thing for them. Looks cool too. But the Phantom is a dead end.

[Chagrinful]

this has gotta be the stupidest longest running bad joke ever in gaming history, but then again there Duke Nukem Forever *rimshot*.

[Heretic Machine]

this has gotta be the stupidest longest running bad joke ever in gaming history, but then again there Duke Nukem Forever *rimshot*.

Actually, I believe "Dawn" beats this in the stupidity category... Launch all fetapults!

[Evil Avatar]

Especially since it would run PC games at a fraction of the cost of buying a gaming PC.

That is the catch, isn't it? It doesn't run PC games. It runs a few older PC games that they have licensed to this company who then charges you A) Full Price for the Game and B) A monthly fee for the right to be charged full price for the game.

If all you want to play is old games, go buy an old Pentium 200 MMX PC at a garage sale for $50.00 and throw a Voodoo 3 card into it.

[fozy]

with that keyboard, it reminds me of the Commador 64

[TrackZero]

Yeah that lap keyboard looks like it would have a market. The console though, no way in hell. That keyboard would be pretty sweet to use with say... a 360 version of WoW :D

Agreed. At the very least they could get a good peripheral out of this.

[A-Team]

This wasn't supposed to get on the front page!

Anyway, yes... this is real. I received the PR from one of the Euro PR sites I'm registered with and the picture you see was attached to it.

The eagerly awaited Phantom Game Service made its European debut at the third annual Develop Industry Excellence Awards last night.

Newly appointed CEO of Infinium Labs Kevin Bachus, one of the evening's sponsors, and a team from Infinium Labs were on hand to discuss the Phantom's development with the heart of games development community.

"Europe and the UK have a pivotal role in content development," comments Bachus. "At this stage of our development this was the perfect platform to engage the industry and the response we got last night was fantastic. There is huge support for an effective on-line channel that takes gaming direct to consumers."

About Infinium Labs
Based in Sarasota, Fla., Infinium Labs (OTC Bulletin Board: IFLB - News) is in development of the Phantom Game Service, the first end-to-end, on-demand game service. Delivered over broadband, the Phantom Game Service will offer casual and avid gamers a broad library of titles, available anytime, day or night, from the comfort of their living room. Infinium Labs is led by a management team with extensive experience in interactive media, entertainment, broadband services, technology and video games. For more information, please visit http://www.phantom.net.

[emperordahc]

*cackles like a madman*

[MrMeatshake]

him and his 'phantom' should both die. preferably by the hand of a real phantom. irony upon irony.

[Dirty Harry]

Evil Avatar: Maybe this could be an improvement like internet cafes and the such could use this service and even hotel rooms. There are more ways to skin a cat than just using a knife so to speak.

[LilAbner]

Kevin Bachus: how the mighty have fallen.

[A-Team]

Nice post, Brandon.
Yeah, figured we could all use a little comedy in our lives after yesterday. Hell, some people seem to be liking the idea that the Phantom is still alive, although it looks like they're trying to build up hype in Europe instead of fighting it out with stubborn folks over here in the States.

[HALO 32]

damn it just die, supid phantom, most likley it wont do well

[Thenetcase]

with that keyboard, it reminds me of the Commador 64

Glad I'm not the only one who saw that correllation there...

-TNC-

[XxSATANxX]

Yea I've been following this for a bit. I stopped posting about it since all it seem to do was annoy the crap out of everyone. ( now I know it's me that annoys the crap out of everyone) They have no operating cash and are close to death. At 5 cents a share we all could make an offer to but them out and market the keyboard thingie.

[mr. murphy]

I like these posts because they make me laugh.

Heh. Phantom. Heheheheheheheh.

Phantom.

Heheheheheheheheheheheheh

[Discobob73]

It's almost like Uwe Boll could do the press for this company. Or at the very least, be their poster child.

[Vjornaxx]

Evil - So it runs older PC games, but you have to keep in mind that you and I and the rest of the fols who visit this site are hardcore gamers. We know the little details like this and we have heard all about the press surrounding the Phantom. Your average consumer is a lot less informed about the small details and history of the Phantom console than we are. I still think that if they price it right, it will appear to be quite a deal to your average consumer. When parents go out shopping for gifts for their kids, they're looking at value. Price is a HUGE factor and all the stuff that we hardcore gamers care about don't really factor into their decisions. So yes, I agree with you in that I think the Phantom is not nearly as impressive of a console as even some current-generation models, but my perceptions are influenced by me being an informed gamer.

[Taco]

The Phantom will be crushed by the marketing from Sony and MS. IT won't matter how they price it.

[jwbxx]

Yes the phantom is back! And better then ever! All systems bow to your new master, the phantom!

[Immaculate Simian]

Is he promoting The Phantom or The George Foreman Grill?
It reminds me of one of those sandwich-toaster-things. :D

[mister_slim]

The Infinium Phantom: It's Thinking.

[Thenetcase]

I feel that the Infinium Phantom will never die. It'll just fade away....

[QueQueg]

I feel that the Infinium Phantom will never die. It'll just fade away....

Not as long as you have some sleazy suits keeping it alive, hoping to turn a buck, or at least dupe more investors.

Companies like this can keep going for years, by turning over the management, claiming that all the problems were caused by the old-guard, and then getting back to business-as-usual.

Eventually the hammer falls and they get put out of business for accounting fraud or something. It ends up being a game of hot potato. Whoever is in charge when the SEC shuts them down goes to jail. Get in, embezzle your retirement, get out.

[Rommel]

How much would it cost to take over this company and market the keyboard?

[Alexious]

At 5 cents a share we all could make an offer to but them out and market the keyboard thingie.
Now there's an idea! Turn the EA brand into a gaming company! It will be the largest gaming company in the world and DOMINATE!!!

Oh wait... :D

[dr_wily]

bacchus.. how appropriately named for the greek god of partying.