Phantom spams games world: ‘We’ll buy all your games’ claim

We have learned this morning that Infinium Labs, the outfit behind the mysterious Phantom console, has sent out a mass email to the world’s development and publishing sectors entitled, “We want to sell/buy all of your games.”

Here is the email in full:

“Dear Game Developer/Publisher:

Infinium Labs Corporation is introducing the Phantom Gaming Console, offering the highest quality game play of any console presently on the market. The system offers a completely digital and secure distribution model with virtually no costs of goods for content owners.

Infinium Labs Corporation is positioned to be a leader in the “pervasive gaming” market by introducing the first game console and network that allows consumers to try, buy and play a large selection of video games online. Infinium’s mission is to provide users with the ultimate gaming experience by developing a state-of-the-art video game console and access to an online game service that provides on-demand access to a large selection of multiplayer games and interactive entertainment through a broadband Internet connection.

Currently there is a practical limit on the variety of electronic games available to consumers because the three largest game platform manufacturers (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) effectively dictate the choice of games through their proprietary platforms and high cost for developers to buy licenses and distribution. Also, inefficiencies exist in the game distribution system. Since most games are distributed in boxed format at retail outlets, only the top-selling games in select genres are typically stocked. This leaves most game developers searching for alternative distribution systems as either a primary or supplemental source of revenue.

Infinium Labs is developing Phantom.net, the first open, secure game distribution channel. Our system will empower developers and publishers to sell games directly to the public over our broadband network, with no effective limit on the variety of titles that may be offered. Much as the music industry’s standard distribution model has come under pressure from online distribution of music, the ability to distribute high-end video game content online has the potential to radically alter the video game distribution model. Unlike the music industry, however, Infinium has the ability to effectively eliminate piracy from its model through a proprietary game console and network. Infinium intends to provide a structured and secure method of distribution online that will include a large selection of games and flexible, reasonable, subscription-based pricing (e.g. game rental).

Infinium’s business plan depends on attracting the necessary partners to build a successful supply chain and distribution model. Each partner will be expected to see incremental revenue opportunities by joining Infinium and the Phantom network.”

Amazing claims, we’re sure you’ll agree. However, given that no technical information has been released, how can Infinium make such claims? And how will the Phantom be able to circumvent the licensing and distribution deals that are unique for each game in line with the current IP holder on a per-region global basis?

We doubt they can.

If there's anyone from Infinium reading this, do get in touch and convince us you're not joking.