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)

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

History

Development

Fredrik Liljegren founded Red Jade as a startup company[3] in February 2000.[4] The startup included other notable developers such as RJ 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "What is Red Jade? - IGN". Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "GameBoy vs. Red Jade. The battle that never was. - Oct. 21, 2002". money.cnn.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wallis, Alistair (19 October 2006). "Q&A: Fredrik Liliegren on Red Jade Studios". Game Developer. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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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