Sui Gaming Handheld Targets Steam Deck, Runs PC and Crypto Games
Gaming startup Playtron is making an attempt to problem the dominance of handhelds from present giants like Steam and Nintendo with the launch of a low-cost, versatile working system that may run on all types of gadgets—and it’s teaming with Mysten Labs to launch a Sui-branded mannequin.
On Wednesday, Playtron and Mysten Labs revealed the SuiPlay0x1 on the Sui Basecamp occasion in Paris—it’s a handheld gaming system that runs the Linux-based Playtron OS.
Anticipated to launch in 2025, the transportable console will have the ability to run video games constructed on Sui, but additionally blockchain video games on different networks, in addition to PC video games from Steam, Epic Video games Retailer, and past—as long as it has sufficient energy (these particulars haven’t been introduced but).
Mysten and Playtron are promising deep, native integration for the Sui blockchain. Sui property owned by customers will likely be linked to their Playtron account, letting them entry them from any such system. The gadgets will faucet Sui’s zkLogin function for Web2-like logins. It’s going to additionally let customers pay for conventional video games utilizing the Sui pockets by way of Playtron’s personal storefront.
SuiPlay0x1. Picture: Mysten Labs/Playtron
Playtron just lately got here out of stealth, saying $10 million in funding with backers together with Mysten Labs together with Samsung Subsequent and different crypto corporations like Polychain and Circle Ventures. Co-founder and CEO Kirt McMaster was beforehand CEO at cellular OS startup Cyanogen, whereas co-founder and Chairman John Lagerling helped scale Android at Google.
McMaster shared pointed criticism of Steam, the dominant PC gaming market that he calls a “monopoly.” Steam doesn’t enable blockchain video games, so studios constructing with the tech have needed to create non-crypto variations or discover workarounds to hit the largest storefront. The favored Steam Deck handheld leads the cost for transportable PC gaming gadgets.
Crypto video games are “second-class residents” with such a mannequin, he stated, which is why lots of them launch independently or by way of blockchain-centric launchers. The Epic Video games Retailer has been pleasant to such video games, however Steam instructions a a lot bigger viewers. The Playtron launcher will have the ability to accommodate these video games and extra, he stated.
“We wish to construct an working system that lets individuals play completely every little thing,” McMaster advised Decrypt’s GG.
SuiPlay0x1. Picture: Mysten Labs/Playtron
Whereas Sui integration will likely be native and baked into the working system, McMaster and Mysten Labs co-founder and Chief Product Officer Adeniyi Abiodun confirmed to Decrypt’s GG that gadgets working the OS also can play crypto video games constructed on different networks. However in fact, Mysten hopes that the native integration pushes extra devs to construct on Sui.
Crypto incentives
The SuiPlay0x1 is bound to attract comparisons to the Solana Saga smartphone. Given the clumsiness of interacting with decentralized apps (dapps) with typical cellular gadgets from main firms, Solana Labs opted to construct its personal flagship-quality Android telephone with native Solana integrations and {hardware} pockets performance.
The Saga proved to be a distinct segment system at first with restricted demand—however the realization that it may very well be used to successfully create a cohort of die-hard customers, rewarded with token airdrops and different incentives alongside the best way, helped give it a second wind. Now Solana Labs is constructing a cheaper “Chapter 2” successor round that type of mentality.
SuiPlay0x1. Picture: Mysten Labs/Playtron
Little doubt, the SuiPlay0x1 will draw comparisons to what Solana Labs did with the Saga. Playtron and Mysten acknowledged that, but additionally stated that everybody already has a telephone—and many individuals don’t wish to quit theirs for a mannequin with higher crypto hooks. They’re extra bullish on the thought of a crypto-infused gaming handheld that may play absolutely anything.
However they do see the same profit to SuiPlay0x1 possession, very like the Saga earlier than it: unique advantages for customers. Assume free tokens and property to lure gamers to check out a brand new sport, presumably on-chain rewards, and even reductions and incentives for Sui customers. They’re additionally planning to subsidize the system in a roundabout way to deliver down the value and get gamers in.
“Think about now having the ability to airdrop property to individuals with a tool forward of time to get them to onboard into the sport. Now your price of person acquisition is considerably decrease,” stated Abiodun. “Think about having the ability to entice them with reward/loyalty schemes that enable them to play the sport over time and actually garner extra worth over the long run.”
He added that the system will let individuals “make funds that are not encumbered with conventional fee rails,” together with with USDC and different stablecoins. And customers’ owned NFTs might work like an “engagement cross” to award them unique advantages.
And very like many late Solana Saga consumers snatched up the final remaining telephones to declare a share of BONK meme cash that have been value greater than the value of the particular telephone on the time, Abiodun stated that Mysten Labs plans on “subsidizing” the price of the hand-held system with tokens to get individuals to purchase into the Sui gaming ecosystem.
SuiPlay0x1. Picture: Mysten Labs/Playtron
“We completely will give token incentives for individuals to purchase the system,” he stated. “We expect finally the ecosystem of those gamers will develop into tremendous useful long-term, in order that funding is a no brainer from our perspective.”
Mysten Labs and Playtron have but to announce a possible worth level for the SuiPlay0x1, or specifics on how they plan to incentivize purchases with token rewards. However McMaster thinks it’ll finally be inexpensive and interesting sufficient to doubtlessly onboard new customers into the crypto world—and maybe break the anti-crypto mentality from many avid gamers.
“That is doubtlessly a possibility to open the gates to people that may not have actually engaged with crypto earlier than,” he advised Decrypt’s GG. “But it surely’s the primary time to get this class of system, and for an extremely good worth.”
