Infinium's Phantom to launch in Europe 2005

Infinium appoints Koler to drive European Phantom launch
by Rob Fahey
GamesIndustry.biz

Industry veteran takes the helm for Phantom Game Service's 2005 Euro launch

Florida-based Infinium Labs, which is currently preparing for the US launch of the Phantom Game Service in mid-November, has appointed Greg Koler to oversee the company's strategy for a launch in Europe.

RELEVANCE The Phantom Gaming Service is due to be launched in the US in November this year as the first subscription-based broadband gaming solution of its kind. Like cable and satellite subscriptions, consumers will receive the Phantom console for free as part of a 24 months subscriber agreement priced at $29.95 per month. Alternatively, consumers can purchase the console outright for $199 with the added benefit that if they remain active subscribers for 2 years, Infinium will refund the cost of the purchase. However, some $360 per year for a gaming subscription will likely seem excessive to the casual gamer and I therefore foresee only hard-core PC gamers taking up the service at first. Nevertheless, this could change should Infinium introduce multilevel subscription fees at a later stage (probably when the cost of the undoubtedly subsidised console shrinks with volumen shipments).

Perhaps not surprisingly this is yet again an example of a nimble upstart innovating ahead of market leaders such as PlayStation and Xbox in the gaming space.