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Phantom Menace
Infinium tries to simply offer....something
by Karl Bode Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 tags: hardware · gaming
The Phantom broadband gaming console from Infinium Labs has had a long and rocky road, from their battle to silence critics, to their multiple appearances on Wired's Vaporware award list. Years later and no actual product to show for it, it looks like the company, with a new CEO, is releasing a gaming keyboard simply to show investors they're doing something.

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mishaq
Premium
join:2004-01-24
Richardson, TX

1 edit

Why do they still exist

Has anyone seen the specs on this "console?"

»www.phantom.net/products/tech_specs.asp

Unless they get the major game developers to code specifically for this hardware, all this is going to amount to is a last generation PC that's already outdated compared to the next generation consoles.

Edit: Oh, and the whole broadband only thing downloading all games/content isn't going to fly. Internet service isn't at the point where people want to download everything constantly to use it, and future games will only take more space.
jdracer47

join:2005-10-16
Auburn, PA

Re: Why do they still exist

I love that this is called "Phantom", as this is exactly what their products have been for quite awhile.
DMWCincy

join:2004-04-27
Fairfield, OH

Re: Why do they still exist

shhh....you better be careful of what you say or their lawyers may hunt you down and sue you for everything you got.
lawrence171
Evilly Yours - Evilness

join:2001-12-24
Canada

Re: Why do they still exist

said by DMWCincy:

shhh....you better be careful of what you say or their lawyers may hunt you down and sue you for everything you got.
They don't have the cash to afford lawyers.
--
What I used to be I no longer am... God, why can't you freeze time for my sake?
DMWCincy

join:2004-04-27
Fairfield, OH

Re: Why do they still exist

said by lawrence171:

They don't have the cash to afford lawyers.
I thought suing was their may source of revenue????

qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX
said by lawrence171:

said by DMWCincy:

shhh....you better be careful of what you say or their lawyers may hunt you down and sue you for everything you got.
They don't have the cash to afford lawyers.
I think at one point they were down to about $225K capital.
--
I think prostitution and drugs should be legal and regulated, just like alcohol. Too many people want to ban thing based on their “feelings” that certain things are Sins, and all Sins should be banned. Sin Laws should be prohibited.
lawrence171
Evilly Yours - Evilness

join:2001-12-24
Canada

Re: Why do they still exist

said by qdemn7:

said by lawrence171:

said by DMWCincy:

shhh....you better be careful of what you say or their lawyers may hunt you down and sue you for everything you got.
They don't have the cash to afford lawyers.
I think at one point they were down to about $225K capital.
I thought they were out of capital at some point. Wow, so, these ppl can pull money outta their asses?
--
What I used to be I no longer am... God, why can't you freeze time for my sake?

qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX

Re: Why do they still exist

said by lawrence171:

said by qdemn7:

said by lawrence171:

said by DMWCincy:

shhh....you better be careful of what you say or their lawyers may hunt you down and sue you for everything you got.
They don't have the cash to afford lawyers.
I think at one point they were down to about $225K capital.
I thought they were out of capital at some point. Wow, so, these ppl can pull money outta their asses?
No, more like more gullible investors.
--
I think prostitution and drugs should be legal and regulated, just like alcohol. Too many people want to ban thing based on their “feelings” that certain things are Sins, and all Sins should be banned. Sin Laws should be prohibited.
Zyniker
Zyniker
Premium
join:2004-12-25
Anaheim, CA
How cute...it has as much RAM as my PDA.

annon25636

@illianasurgery.com

Re: Why do they still exist

So does the xbox360
Necronomikro

join:2005-09-01

Re: Why do they still exist

»www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360/

^^^^^

360 has 512MB ram.
hurfy
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Spokane, WA
Dang you guys are slacking.

Noone even mentioned the little note that the keyboard release depends upon getting $2 million in capital. Something like: $100k for design, $100k to build and 1.8 million for party supplies....

What is this like 3 years and they are THINKING of building a keyboard next year....

Not a bad idea when they had it, but it's had it by now....
gamepro100

join:2004-07-27
Brooklyn, NY

interesting

This seems interesting. Looks like logitech may have some competition now.

BonezX
Basement Dweller
Premium
join:2004-04-13
Canada

Re: interesting

said by gamepro100:

This seems interesting. Looks like logitech may have some competition now.
not likely
wilburyan

join:2002-08-01

In light of the season...

I wouldn't touch it with a.... 39 1/2 foot pole!!!!

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
Reviews:
·Site5.com
·Comcast
·Callcentric

Re: In light of the season...

said by wilburyan:

I wouldn't touch it with a.... 39 1/2 foot pole!!!!
Careful! Infinium Labs is working on a virtual penis that is about that long. Unfortunately, it hasn't been released yet.
--
My Domain
Nightfall's Hockey and Life Journal
WareWolF2k

join:2000-11-14
Allentown, PA

Re: In light of the season...

said by Nightfall:

said by wilburyan:

I wouldn't touch it with a.... 39 1/2 foot pole!!!!
How about one of these?

»meyers.tnb.com/ps/meyer/products···nication

CPM
Broadband, DSL, cable

join:2001-08-24
Brooklyn, NY

Why make this news on DSLreports

Why make this news on dslreports. This company is a dog. Why give it any energy.

removed
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
kudos:36

Re: Why make this news on DSLreports

Because it's an interesting blurb. I enjoyed reading it.
jdracer47

join:2005-10-16
Auburn, PA

Infinium's history

»www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTk4

Anyone who wants to support this company needs to go to HardOCP and read about their history

NOCMan
MacChatter
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO

Xbox Live + Steam = End of Phantom

Not saying it's going to happen but if it did then the Phantom would be moot. Based on the specs released a few years ago I think at CES the Xbox 360 and PS3 have it beat a few times over.
--
FIOS chat »www.fioschat.com
Chosen1

join:2001-08-05
Orange Park, FL

Flagship launch title????

.....will be Duke Nukem Forever.

-Chosen1
Goldman

join:2002-06-21
Maumelle, AR

Vaporware Hall of Fame

Since they announced the Phantom in Q1 of 2003, they have produced nothing. It will likely go into the vaporware hall of fame this year along with Duke Nukem Forever.

They are supposedly a tech company, but have three year old specs and nothing tangible to look at. Those aren't even photos on their website.

sitrix

join:2002-04-15
Tacoma, WA

Re: Vaporware Hall of Fame

All I see is a company that wanted a piece of .com era, but appeared a little too late to score a large jackpot. They took investors money, partied like it was 1999 and now they are simply trying to avoid getting jail time. Anybody who thinks that company with limited financial power capable of creating a revolutionary game delivery system, simply needs to give their money to me for "safe keeping". Valve with their recognition within industry and financial power (mainly thanks to Valve being Microsoft's shell company), still had rough time rolling out their Steam smoothly and even now it still has problems every so often. I predict that Infinium Labs will produce something (maybe 5 years from now), launch 10 of them to get feds of their back, call it a failure and close shop.
Cable Fiend

join:2003-04-25
Dover Plains, NY
That's not very fair considering Duke Nukem Forever is actually going to be released
Azio

join:2005-10-02
Delta, BC

Not a hugely bad idea

I once had the (mis)fortune of attending one of their promotional demonstrations where they had what appeared to be an empty plastic shell hooked up to a TV that was playing a DVD demo reel, which wasn't entirely impressive. However I did get a chance to spend some time with Half-Life 2 and their Lapboard, which was actually kinda cool. If it's available at a decent price and without any issues (the kind wireless devices sometimes have), I'd buy it.

sitrix

join:2002-04-15
Tacoma, WA

Re: Not a hugely bad idea

That's the thing, last I recall when they rolled out their price plans it was $800 outdated PC.

Rally
Bah Humbug
Premium
join:2000-10-27
Astoria, NY

This system will be out..

When there is peace in the middle east.

Middieman
Eschew Obfuscation

join:2001-02-05
Elkins Park, PA

Re: This system will be out..

/sarcasm on

Everyone knows that keyboards are the ultimate gaming control device.

-=[Middie]=-
--
All your base are belong to DSL Reports!

kamm

join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

Re: This system will be out..

said by Middieman:

/sarcasm on

Everyone knows that keyboards are the ultimate gaming control device.

-=[Middie]=-
Actually it IS true.

Middieman
Eschew Obfuscation

join:2001-02-05
Elkins Park, PA

Re: This system will be out..

I prefer a Nostromo Speedpad.

-=[Middie]=-
--
All your base are belong to DSL Reports!

insomniac84

join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN

Did all of you miss the disclaimer at the bottom?

Who puts a disclaimer on a press release?
»www.ereleases.com/pr/20051228005.html
"Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to: the development of the Infinium Labs technology, ability to secure additional financing, the successful marketing and distribution of the Phantom Game Service, acceptance by the market of Infinium Labs, products and technology, competition and timing of projects and trends in the gaming industry, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in filings Infinium Labs will make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with periodic filings Infinium Labs makes with the SEC. The forward looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and Infinium Labs undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. "

See 10 replies to this post

TexasGuy
49 States And Texas
Premium
join:2002-12-02
Houston, TX

Stock

Click for full size
Here is what it was.

Now it is only 2.6 cents a share... and falling...

Rogue Wolf
Ate Your Homework, And Framed The Dog

join:2003-08-12
Troy, NY

Of course they're doing something!

They're sucking investors' money into a financial black hole!

That's something!
--
Non impediti ratione cogitationis.

TexasGuy
49 States And Texas
Premium
join:2002-12-02
Houston, TX

Re: Of course they're doing something!

"Infinium Labs™, Inc., is a public company which is set to launch the Phantom™ Game Service, a cutting edge gaming and content delivery system, in 2005."

They got like a few days left. I hope the pad was the only reason why it was delayed and spent all that time coming out with the best pad possible.
--
-- Who drank has died, who drinks will die; is he immortal who is sober? --
-- I started out with nothing, I still have most of it --

qos1

join:2003-09-19
Beverly Hills, CA

Slide

Nice slide...I think this sums it up well..

treetop1000

join:2003-11-07
Lexington, KY

Wait a minute...

Who are the venture capitalists bankrolling this company. Do they appear to be a "legal" money source? What with the upcoming second premier of "The Producers", I'm concerned that maybe we're looking at a "designed to fail" business model.... all they really do is spend money. Other peoples money. On purpose.

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