Lenovo is putting its muscle behind a new console game system targeting the Chinese market, a market with a booming online game industry but no real console presence as of yet. The distinguishing characteristic of this console is its Kinect-type motion controlled interface. The console is entitled “iSec,” which stands for “Sports Entertainment Center,” which is not a surprise given the physical interface. The system relies on a 3-D depth camera, similar to the Kinect, so hand and body gestures can control the action on-screen. Thus far the games that have been demonstrated have a martial arts and exercise focus. Chinese, North American, and European developers are said to be working on games for the system.
Beijing-based Eedoo Technology is the developer of the hardware itself and comes equipped with the advantage of being a local company in a market not yet affected by Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, who are not permitted direct sales of their hardware in China. The iSec also focuses on exercise and family-friendly fare, over typical “fun and only fun” games, which has in past been part of the reason why Chinese authorities have barred importation of console game devices.
The iSec is targeted for a later 2011 release date in China, where the system will at first be focused. So far there has been no pricing announced for the forthcoming game system.
[Source: VentureBeat]
