Nobody Asks For This Weird Crypto Web3 Gaming Handheld

The SuiPlay 0X1 handheld has all the weird crypto-bro features.

Those of you old enough to remember the Gizmondo from the mid-2000s will know that it was a particularly doomed gaming handheld with a rather dark backstory. Well, if you want to back a dead horse, then go ahead. Mysten Laboratories have a device for you.

Earlier this month at a blockchain conference in Korea, the ‘SuiPlay-0X1‘ is an upcoming $600 handheld scheduled for early 2025 that, depressingly, is being touted as “World’s first Web3-native handheld gaming device” — what that actually means in practice is anyone’s guess.

The oddly named device (which sounds a bit like an .exe virus that you probably want to avoid), features a 7-inch IPS display, an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U and 512GB of storage. The handheld runs on the device-agnostic operating system PlaytronOS.

The SuiPlay0X1 site indicates that it will support a wide range of PC titles, along with “new AAA titles developed using Sui technology“. Sui is a blockchain tech, so how that fits into game development is beyond me – but such ‘web3’ games do exist, such as the metaverse shooter Xociety.

The specs sound good overall and are in line with what current portable gaming PCs offer. However, there is a disclaimer on the SuiPlay site that these specs are subject to change.

The really weird thing about this device? Well, ultimately it’s the crypto, NFT, and vague Web3 stuff.

First off, you can’t pre-order this thing with cash, you have to buy it with crypto (either the previously mentioned SUI, Solana or Ethereum). Once you order, you will receive a freshly created NFT, so you can claim the device as soon as it is ready. I think a receipt would have been fine too?

In addition, the website contains a series of dubious “testimonials” that speak to the apparent benefits of the “gen4-blockchain“, the ability to earn”NFT skins in various games” and excited about the SuiPlay0X1 “become the channel for bringing mass Web3 adoption” — don’t hold your breath.

Speaking to VentureBeat about the upcoming handheld, Mysten Labs’ Adeniyi Abiodun said:

“The SuiPlay0X1 will demonstrate that games that seamlessly integrate blockchain technology look and feel no different than traditional ‘web2’ games. It will show gamers everywhere that player ownership, thanks to blockchain technology, can deliver a deeper and more engaging gaming experience without disrupting their enjoyment.”

I don’t know exactly what that means.

Oh, and while you can pre-order the device now, you can’t really get a good look at the device. There are few product images of the device on the site, and the ones that are mysteriously lit.

A shout out to Ryan Brown for putting this mysterious device on my radar

Maybe I’m being unfair and it’s unfair to pass judgement on a device so early, but it does have all the weird crypto-bro hallmarks of smelling a little off. When they’re taking pre-orders and I can’t even get a good look at it, it all feels a little incomprehensible.

Yes, they’re trying something different, but ultimately this isn’t really a good choice when you have countless other gaming handhelds to choose from. everywhere at the top of my list. Why would you take the risk?