Gizmondo Europe which is in-fact a subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc, announced the signing of a contract with Microsoft Game Studios to bring killer gaming titles to this powerful handheld console. This collaboration will include AAA titles, Age of Empires, MechAssault and It's Mr Pants. These games give handheld console gamers the ability to experience top Microsoft games.
This deal with MS does make us wonder if the U.S. giant considers Gizmondo a viable handheld alternative to its living-room-console rivals Nintendo and Sony. If that is the case then we can expect Gizmondo to receive MS support of various shapes and sizes and it is more than likely that the console will fair a lot better than we may have initially expected. In any case a deal with Microsoft is always a news-worthy story and definitely a step forward for the fledgling handheld.
The Gizmondo device was launched in the UK on 29th October and recently won the Design Solution of the Year Award at The Electronics Industry Design Awards in England. This deal helps ensure that Gizmondo users have a rich catalogue of proven game brands, but with the added value of total mobility and flexibility.
Indicative of the special relationship between MS and Gizmondo are Carl Freer's, Managing Director, Gizmondo, comments: This deal strengthens the existing linkage between Gizmondo and Microsoft Game Studios. We welcome their enthusiasm and look forward to carrying the titles on our pocket-sized console. Our collaboration puts both Gizmondo and Microsoft Game Studios in a great position to meet all challengers in the handheld gaming market.
The first three games approved for release are:
Age Of Empires - Microsoft Game Studio's largest gaming brand comes to Gizmondo. One of the finest real-time strategy games available.
MechAssault - 40-foot-tall, walking tanks battle it out for supremacy. An ideal, third-person action game for a handheld platform and 'MechAssault' is a huge brand.
It's Mr Pants - Developed by RARE, this is a simple puzzle game providing fun entertainment. A classic favourite.
There are two more major titles in the pipeline.
The Gizmondo is powered by Microsoft Windows CE advanced real-time operating system, boasting a 2.8-inch TFT colour screen with a Samsung ARM9 400Mhz processor and incorporates the GoForce 3D 4500 NVIDIA graphics accelerator. It provides cutting-edge gaming, multimedia messaging, an MP3 music player, Mpeg4 movie playing capability, a digital camera and a GPRS network link to allow wide-area network gaming. Additionally, it contains a GPS chip for location-based services, is equipped with Bluetooth for use in multi-player gaming and accepts MMC card accessories.
The Gizmondo device and its games were launched in the UK in late October. The Gizmondo will be launched in European and North American markets during 2005.
