Well, this is certainly a nifty piece of tech…and a crowdfunding effort that’s worth your attention!
I just got a notification of a CrowdSupply campaign for the Ink Console that will launch on March 1st. Check this out:
From independent manufacturer and creative developer Singular 9 Ltd. the Ink Console is an innovative hybrid of an e-reader and a game console designed to redefine how you experience storytelling. This unique platform lets you play as you read, turning traditional reading into an interactive adventure inspired by classic computer games and choose-your-own-adventure books.
With Ink Console, reading becomes dynamic: at key moments in the story, you’ll be prompted to make choices, shaping your journey based on the decisions you make along the way. And by opening our platform to others with an easy-to-use development kit, anyone can write and program their own adventures.
In addition to its approachable design, e-ink screen, and slim form factor, Ink Console’s narrative interface powers new kinds of experiences. The OS features a comprehensive inventory system where you can view and manage items collected during your journey, ready to be used as challenges arise. For adventure and role-playing stories, players can turn to a health status system, adding an extra layer of strategy.
For me, the idea of the Ink Console takes me back to my elementary school’s computer lab and all the text adventure games I used to play under the guise of “learning the computer.” I’m sure after I was done with that, I’d follow up with a choose-your-own-adventure book during quiet reading time. What I’m getting at is this system seems to be tailor-made for gamers of a certain age.
But the technophile part of me can see the crossover appeal of the system. Listen, for me, nothing is going to replace physical media, but I do enjoy the crap out of my eReader (even though any book purchased on it is only licensed, and you don’t really own them). Much of that has to do with the ease of use and the device’s form factor. I’m a sucker for a slick piece of unique tech, and I’m shocked that nobody has come up with an idea like this before.
Check out the features and specs:
Features
- Play while you read
- Interactive Inventory, Health & Options
- SDcard and Digital format
- E-ink electronic paper screen
- A fully open source project
- Create YOUR OWN GameBook
Specs
- Processor & Memory: Dual-core ESP32 microprocessor with 4MB flash memory, 8MB PSRAM, and 520KB SRAM for efficient performance.
- Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.2, and LE for seamless communication.
- Storage: Expandable via SD card slot for additional content and game storage.
- Display: 7.5-inch e-ink screen with an 800 x 480 resolution for a paper-like reading experience.
- User Input: Analog joystick for navigation and gameplay, plus a potentiometer for fine control adjustments.
- Audio: High-quality 2-channel stereo output, a 3.5mm audio jack, a built-in mono speaker, and optional line-level output.
- Power: 5000mAh lithium-ion battery with TP4056 charging module, micro USB charging, and smart power-saving sleep modes.
The crowdfunding campaign will launch on March 1st, and I’m definitely going to keep an eye on this one.