Finally putting an end to countless rumours, Amazon has revealed their master plan to dominate living rooms all over the world. The front room assault begins today – the $99 Amazon Fire TV is available to purchase now in the US.
The system – which comes with a remote – packs 8GB internal storage, 2GB memory, a 1.7 Ghz quad-core processor and 1080p HD output.
Amazon refers to it as a ‘1080p media player’ although calling it a ‘gloried set-top box’ isn’t too far off the mark.
Currently the online retail giant seems to be pushing the movie steaming side of things heavier than the system’s ability to play games.
Nevertheless, the first title from Amazon Game Studio was released alongside the system – Sev Zero, a sci-fi third-person shooter with tower defence-style strategic elements. It also supports a companion app – Sev Zero: Air Support, which lets a second player collect resources and launch air strikes via a Kindle Fire HD.
The trailer below shows off the system’s graphical capabilities:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXI898kyBgM
Sev Zero is available for free with the additional game controller (priced $39.99) or $6.99 otherwise. Although Amazon reports that tablets can also be used as controllers, the game controller is essential for some releases.
Incidentally, all in-app purchases are paid for with ‘Amazon Coins’ with 1,000 coins currently clocking in at $10.
Although there isn’t a full list of games currently available, an image on Amazon.com’s product page shows Minecraft: Pocket Edition, Asphalt 8, NBA 2K14, Deus Ex: The Fall, Terraria, Fist of Awesome, Telltale’s The Walking Dead series and more.
Disney, EA, Ubisoft, 2K Games and SEGA have all pledged support.
Admittedly, it’s hard to get excited about yet another Android-based console, but the fact that Amazon has assembled a studio to provide exclusive software is kind of exciting. Amazon’s sneak peek trailer – uploaded to YouTube today – shows various unannounced games, many of which appear visually accomplished.
Keep an eye out for the game at (0:30), featuring dinosaurs carrying colossal laser cannons. Now that looks like something we’d like to play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlVLhqj1weY
No doubt the rush is on to create the system’s very own Angry Birds or Candy Crush Saga. Or maybe even the next Halo – who knows?