ApeXtreme

ApeXtreme (pronounced 'Apex Extreme') is a video game console created by Apex Digital. While the console made a promising first appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2004, it had been cancelled by December of that year. The console was based on VIA's Glory Personal Gaming Console Platform, and would have included a keyboard, mouse, game controller and a remote control.

Features

The system would have sported a number of features related to console gaming and multimedia, such as:
*"Drop & Play" technology, developed by Digital Interactive, allowing the user to play PC games by simply inserting them into the console's optical drive.
*The ability to store computer games on the system's Hard drive.
*The ability to play DVDs, VCDs, audio CDs, MP3s, slideshows and Internet radio.

Drop & Play

The system's "Drop & Play" feature works by referring to a database of scripts for information on how each specific game should be played. This technology would allow the console to play normal PC games without modification, at the cost of requiring regular updates to allow the user to play recently released titles.

Furthermore, DISCover would have had to write a script for every one of the titles for which the console boasted support, a list of more than 2700 scripts. Upon the insertion of a valid game disk, the ApeXtreme would have run and maintained the game with only minimal interaction with the user, automatically configuring the game and installing patches where possible. In addition, the system's support for normal USB connections would have allowed the player to select between traditional console and PC input devices (ie, allowing them to play with either a gamepad or a keyboard and mouse).

Notes

It was reported that the home system was to be released late Spring or Summer 2004. This was to come in two distinct versions: a basic model for US$299, and a more powerful version for US$399. [http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT4250524767.html]

External links

* [http://www.discoverconsole.com DISCover site for the console]
* [http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT4250524767.html WindowsForDevice review of the console]
* [http://www.pcreview.co.uk/articles/Events/ApeXtreme_Preview/ PcReview of the console]
* [http://www.philodox.co.uk/e/ApeXtreme.htm What happened to the ApeXtreme?]
* [http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/17/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm Video Game & Console/System review for 2004]
* [http://money.cnn.com/2004/01/14/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm Overview for the Phantom & ApeXtreme]
* [http://www.elitebastards.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=66526&sid=07b0333c0862f71a48d9a72ae3191716 Review of the Apextreme]