You have to be very brave, or have money to burn, if you are thinking of launching a brand new console in today's games market. Florida-based developer Infinium Labs is doing just that with its new system, the Phantom.
The company has started releasing new information on its product in preparation for a public unveiling at the Ultimate Gamers Expo in Los Angeles next month.
During the Phantom's development, the company has been somewhat publicity-shy: hardly surprising during an era in which Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony dominate the headlines.
The console has had such a low profile that many had dismissed it as "vapourware", meaning something that was rumoured but would never materialise in the shops.
Described as an "always-on broadband device", the Phantom will work like a high-spec PC (but without removable media drives), and software will be downloaded via a broadband network connection.
This will give publishers a more effective way to protect the copyright on their games, a factor that Infinium hopes will persuade many companies to add their titles to the Phantom's downloadable library.
On its website, Infinium claims that the Phantom "will be the most robust gaming platform". It adds: "It will support PC games, interactive content, ported console games, and provide the consumer with advantages over the traditional personal computer or gaming console."
However, while the Phantom joins Microsoft and Sony in seeking to establish a future that mixes the gaming and online worlds, Nintendo is still insisting that consumers are not ready for online gaming.
The company will not be investing in any online titles for the GameCube, despite releasing a broadband adapter so that other developers can create games for the platform.
George Harrison, the vice-president of Nintendo's US marketing wing, has been quoted on gamesindustry.biz as saying: "Right now, no one's paying for subscriptions. The real test comes when you have to start coughing up $15 (£10) a month."
However, thousands of gamers worldwide who are paying monthly subscription fees to play games such as EverQuest, Anarchy Online and Dark Age of Camelot on PCs, as well as the success of console online games including Phantasy Star Online and Final Fantasy XI, suggest that if you create the right games, then the audiences will follow.
Mr Harrison admitted that Nintendo is currently "considering" developing online titles for its next platform, currently dubbed the N5. For now, it seems content to sit back and watch as Sony and Microsoft continue to advance their online services across the world.
Although the take-up of subscriptions on the consoles has been relatively slow, subscribers are estimated to number around 2 million. The stream of users has been steady, with Microsoft's Xbox Live service doing particularly well.
So by the time Nintendo wheels out the N5, which is expected to arrive, at the earliest, at the end of 2004, it might be so far behind in the online stakes that it will not be worth them even joining the race.
Competition
If you think you are a bit of a grand master, it's time to put yours skills to the test in Mindscape's new Kasparov Chess game for the PC.
Endorsed by chess master Garry Kasparov, the game will allow you to play against 45 virtual opponents and compete online against other players. We have five copies to give away, and you can win one by emailing us at Online.Competitions@theguardian.com with your name, address and the answer to this question:
What is Garry Kasparov's nationality?
Official UK Leisure Software Charts (c) ELSPA, compiled by Chart-Track
1) Tomb Raider: the Angel of Darkness (PS2, PC) Adios Interactive - £34.99
2) Eyetoy: Play (PS2) Sony - £39.99
3) Enter the Matrix (PS2, GC, XB, PC) Atari - £39.99 4) SOCOM: US Navy Seals (PS2) Sony - £49.99
5) HULK (PS2, Xbox, GC, PC) VU Games - £39.99
6) The Sims: Superstar (PC) Electronic Arts - £17.99
7) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PC, PS2) Take 2 - £29.99
8) Starsky & Hutch (PS2, Xbox, PC) Empire Interactive - £37.99
9) The Sims EA (PC, PS2, Xbox, GC) Electronic Arts - £32.99
10) James Bond 007: Nightfire (PS2, PC, GC, Xbox, GBA) - £20.99
