Red Jade

The Red Jade was Ericsson's unreleased handheld console, intended to compete with the Game Boy Advance.

Red Jade
DeveloperRed Jade
ManufacturerEricsson
TypeHandheld Game Console
GenerationSixth generation of video game consoles
Release date~2002 (Planned)[1]
LifespanCancelled
Introductory priceBetween $100[1] and $300[2]
DiscontinuedApril 2001[2]
MediaDigital distribution[2]
CPU32-bit or 64-bit MIPS architecture processor[1]
DisplayReflective TFT (Non backlit)[1]
GraphicsCustom Chipset[1]
SoundStereo[1]
ConnectivityBluetooth,[1] Either 900mhz or 2.4 Ghz wireless.[1], Optional Cellular[2]
PowerIntegrated rechargeable battery.[1]
WebsiteRedjade.com (Archived)

History

Development

Fredrik Liljegren founded Red Jade as a startup company[3] in February 2000.[4] The startup included other notable developers such as Robert J. Mical.[4][5] Originally the developing team for the Red Jade approached Sony and Sega as potential partners but both declined.[2] Ericsson decided to invest US$10 million in the Red Jade,[2] It was to be released by Christmas season 2002[3] and would have retailed for $150.

Cancellation

When overall sales plummeted, Ericsson cancelled the Red Jade before production in April 2001 and cut 22,000 employees to help minimize losses.[2] The collapse of the Dot-com bubble left the startup in a position where it was unable to find other investors to continue development.[3] The number of existing prototype units is unclear along with possibility of games made for them. Quake III Arena was said to have received a port.[6] Ericsson's mobile phone division later divested into joint venture with Sony and rebranded as Sony Ericsson, until Sony acquired Ericsson's share and became Sony Mobile Communications. In 2006 Red Jade as a company would be restarted by Liliegreen to operate as a game development studio.[3][7]

Specifications

The Red Jade which was supposed to have PDA functions, wireless connectability, DivX movies, cell phone capabilities, a GPS server, MP3 audio playback, a web browser, the ability to download games from the website, game sharing utilizing Bluetooth technology, and graphics equivalent to the PlayStation or Nintendo 64.

The system used a 32-bit or 64-bit MIPS architecture processor[1] 3D polygon graphics[2] were said to possibly be handled by an NVIDIA chipset.[6] Graphics were displayed on a TFT LCD that supported 65536 colors. The system used multi-channel PCM audio. Bluetooth technology enabled wireless communication between 2 or more machines[2] The system was powered by a Lithium-ion battery

References
  1. "What is Red Jade? - IGN". Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  2. "GameBoy vs. Red Jade. The battle that never was. - Oct. 21, 2002". money.cnn.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  3. Wallis, Alistair (19 October 2006). "Q&A: Fredrik Liliegren on Red Jade Studios". Game Developer. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  4. "Red Jade adds Experience". GameSpot. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  5. "REDJADE INC. APPOINTS STELLAR MANAGEMENT TEAM TO LEAD NEXT GENE". 8 February 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-02-08. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  6. "Red Jade = Dead Jade - IGN". Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  7. "Former DICE crew opens new studio". GameSpot. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
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