14 DAY TRIAL // Several games industry analysts have shared their thoughts on the new Amazon Fire TV console and called it a half-hearted effort that's more focused on video streaming and video game playing.
Amazon released its Fire TV microconsole yesterday, surprising quite a lot of different gamers and industry pundits, despite the fact that Amazon was rumored to enter this segment of interactive entertainment for quite some time.
The device is geared towards those who don't want to invest in expensive consoles but still want to enjoy video games and video content.
Several analysts have commented on the new box for GamesIndustry and confirmed that, at least for now, hardcore gamers shouldn't even pay attention to the Fire TV.
"The main focus of the box is streaming video. The issue is video is 1) a much bigger application than games and 2) much easier to do. It is clear games are at best currently a distant after thought for Amazon in terms of the Amazon box. The type of games they are looking at are more in the realm of tablet/mobile/casual products, which are really no substitute for what the dedicated consoles provide," DFC Intelligence analyst David Cole said.
"So I think right now it is a rounding error in the game industry but that could change if Amazon decides it wants to make a big investment in the space. However, the reality is you really have to very directly target gamers and Amazon right now is only half-heartedly doing that."
While Amazon boasted over 100 games available at launch for the Fire TV, most of them are actual mobile titles, like Minecraft Pocket Edition, and there are very few exclusives, like Sev Zero, which also requires the separate controller.
Billy Pidgeon speculates that Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo don't have to worry about Amazon for now, as the company is mostly targeting rivals like Apple and Google.
"Apple and Google have been the main contenders for online media transactions, but Amazon has the motivation, the focus and the distribution to move Fire TV quickly into lead position. Apple has competition issues with media providers and Google is behind in online retail and user experience. Amazon's entry into connected TV could energize the competition and speed household penetration," he said.
Amazon Fire TV is already on sale via the large retailer in the U.S. and it's unclear whether it will be made available in other parts of the world. Given the recent acquisition of Double Helix, you can bet that Amazon is striving to get more exclusives onto the platform.