tl;dr
Playtron and Mysten Labs have unveiled the SuiPlay0x1, a handheld gaming device set to launch in 2025, running the Linux-based Playtron OS. The device promises to run a wide range of games, including those built on Sui, blockchain games from other networks, and PC games from platforms like Steam and...
Summary: Playtron and Mysten Labs have revealed the SuiPlay0x1, a handheld gaming device set to launch in 2025, running the Linux-based Playtron OS. The device promises to run a wide range of games, including those built on Sui, blockchain games from other networks, and PC games from platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. With $10 million in funding and backing from industry players, the SuiPlay0x1 aims to entice users with exclusive benefits, token rewards, and subsidized pricing to onboard them into the Sui gaming ecosystem, potentially opening new opportunities for engagement with crypto.
Gaming startup Playtron is trying to challenge the dominance of handhelds from existing giants like Steam and Nintendo with the launch of a low-cost, flexible operating system that can run on all kinds of devices—and it’s teaming with Mysten Labs to launch a Sui-branded model.
On Wednesday, Playtron and Mysten Labs revealed the SuiPlay0x1 at the Sui Basecamp event in Paris—it’s a handheld gaming device that runs the Linux-based Playtron OS. Expected to launch in 2025, the portable console will be able to run games built on Sui, but also blockchain games on other networks, as well as PC games from Steam, Epic Games Store, and beyond—so long as it has enough power (those details have not been announced yet).
Mysten and Playtron are promising deep, native integration for the Sui blockchain. Sui assets owned by users will be linked to their Playtron account, letting them access them from any such device. The devices will tap Sui’s zkLogin feature for Web2-like logins. It will also let users pay for traditional games using the Sui wallet via Playtron’s own storefront.
Playtron recently came out of stealth, announcing $10 million in funding with backers including Mysten Labs along with Samsung Next and other crypto firms like Polychain and Circle Ventures. Co-founder and CEO Kirt McMaster was previously CEO at mobile OS startup Cyanogen, while co-founder and Chairman John Lagerling helped scale Android at Google. McMaster shared pointed criticism of Steam, the dominant PC gaming marketplace that he calls a “monopoly.”
While Sui integration will be native and baked into the operating system, McMaster and Mysten Labs co-founder and Chief Product Officer Adeniyi Abiodun confirmed that devices running the OS can also play crypto games built on other networks. But of course, Mysten hopes that the native integration pushes more devs to build on Sui.
The SuiPlay0x1 is sure to draw comparisons to the Solana Saga smartphone. Given the clumsiness of interacting with decentralized apps (dapps) with typical mobile devices from major companies, Solana Labs opted to build its own flagship-quality Android phone with native Solana integrations and hardware wallet functionality.
No doubt, the SuiPlay0x1 will draw comparisons to what Solana Labs did with the Saga. Playtron and Mysten acknowledged that, but also said that everyone already has a phone—and many people don’t want to give up theirs for a model with better crypto hooks. They’re more bullish on the idea of a crypto-infused gaming handheld that can play just about anything.
Mysten Labs and Playtron have yet to announce a potential price point for the SuiPlay0x1, or specifics on how they plan to incentivize purchases with token rewards. But McMaster thinks it’ll ultimately be affordable and appealing enough to potentially onboard new users into the crypto world—and perhaps break the anti-crypto mentality from many gamers.
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