Here’s an Android powered Chinese game machine that copies both the PS4 (in console design) and the Xbox One (in controller design). That isn’t all. I can’t help but feel I’ve seen its user interface before.
The machine was shown at a press event yesterday in Beijing attended by a Kotaku tipster. The console itself looks similar to a PS4, but is smaller, with pricing starting at 899RMB ($187) and an expected winter release.
[Image: Fuze]
According to our tipster, Fuze CEO Wang Feng even said he hopes his company outlives his competitors.
You know, these folks.
The controller really looks like an Xbox One controller. At the hands on, the tipster described the controller as feeling “super light” and “super cheap” with “a weird plastic ally matte finish”.
Here’s the UI, which reminds me of Sony’s interface.
But before you write this off as another shoddy rip off know that the Fuze has name developers on board, like Keiji Inafune.
Bet Capcom would be thrilled to see Mega-Man used like this.
Last year, Fuze bankrolled Inafune’s Red Ash Kickstarter after it failed to reach its goal.
The company is also working with Koei Tecmo and Arc System Works to bring titles to the Fuze F1, among other developers.
Here are the specs:
But via user God Kitty on WeChat, here is what the complementary console he got at the event looks like up close:
[Image: God Kitty | WeChat]
[Image: God Kitty | WeChat]
And under the hood.
[Image: God Kitty | WeChat]
I just wish the design elements didn’t seem so darn familiar.
Read more about the Fuze F1 on ZhugeEX Blog.
Comments
22 responses to “China’s Newest Game Machine Seems So Familiar”
I’m confuzed.
You, Sir, effuze wit. Have my vote.
So China developers making knockoffs of established gaming devices?
This kind of thing has been going on for ages. Here’s a picture of a “TeleGamestation 2” box I took in South Africa 11 years ago:
http://www.jamesh.id.au/photos/2005-02-CapeTown/imgp0375.medium.jpeg
It was also somewhat less powerful than the console it resembled (“the ultimate in 16-bit video entertainment”).
I wish I could get my hands on one of those TeleGamestation 2’s again! Mine stopped working and I loved playing games on it.
That looks like a PS4??
Also.. if anything, it’s got a controller more like an Xbox, complete with A,B,X,Y buttons.
In any case.. there’s only so many form factors that make sense from a practical and aesthetic styling point of view..
I feel like you didn’t read the article. Box is a copy of ps4, controller exact copy of xb1, user interface copy of ps4.
This s normal, the Chinese culture is a practical one and are not focused on innovation or design/aesthetic of products. They clone everything, but make it cheaper and shittier.
Cheaper and shittier for outsiders, indeed, I would agree with that. These products are for mainlanders inside China, like the new Oppo R9.. they aren’t really making them for export.
True true
mmmm, that DC input port, thought we were done with those in the 90’s…
But will it play Doom?
Is it just me or do those specs seem really shit? Even if this is a blatant rip-off of competitor’s products, how are they supposed to compete with them in the first place with such crap hardware?
They’re not really competing with Sony/Microsoft, regardless of what they say at the launch event. They’re making a budget gaming device for the majority of people worldwide who can’t afford the current gen consoles.
In that respect I don’t really care about the knockoff appearance; as long as it gets more people around the world into video games I’m happy.
I guess thats a good point, although by making it resemble the other consoles so closely, the comparison is naturally going to be made.
It will be interesting to see how many people walk in and by an xbox controller thinking it’s the same thing and then trying to return it because it doesnt work… 😛
It wont be sold in western countries. And noone sella xbox 1 in china. Won’t be any confusion.
its 2016 they do sell the other consoles lol
dude the controller has the fuze logo so if any idiot buys and xbox one controller for the fuze console id laugh my ass off when it doesnt work lol.
xbox 1 and ps4 are sold in china lol its 2016 not 2014
Fulled by Bear-Gallbladder-Goo
Only in China you can blatantly rip off multiple companies Intellectual property and Industrial designs and not suffer any legal action. Seriously who would buy this POS.
Using that logic, does that mean Inafune could make actual MegaMan games on this console and get away with it? Be all, “Capcom, you can’t do anything, cause China, wa-hey!” Cause I’d buy one.
Yeh China has nukes, it’s not worth it guys.
The name isn’t even original in the tech space:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansa_Fuze
It doesn’t just look like the XB1 Contoller it looks like they used the exact same molds. Althought the Start Menu buttons are different, it could be made by one of those cheap 3rd party controller companies.
As for specs and things like that, it doesn’t need to compete. I’m not sure if the XB1, PS4, Wii U are even allowed to be sold in China.
XB1 and PS4 both launched in China last year. There’s only patchy and anecdotal information as to how they are selling. I’m pretty sure the Wii U was not officially launched in China. You should be able to import via the grey market without any trouble though.
Ahh I guess I don’t recall China lifting their ban on the things.