Panasonic has pulled the plug on its Jungle portable gaming system citing market concerns and a shift in the company's gameplan. Thecancellation comes four months after the ambitious MMO-on-the-go device was first revealed, and amidst a flurry of hype for both Nintendo's 3DS and Sony's upcoming NGP. Coincidence? Maybe. We prefer to call it a sound business decision.
In a short statement to the public, reps for the Japan-based electronicsoutfit explained, “Panasonic decided to suspend further development due to changes in the market and in our own strategic direction”.
The Jungle was first introduced back in October as Panasonic's solution to mobile MMO gaming. Early screenshots and specs promoted the system as something of a graphical powerhouse featuring a keyboard, USB port and other multiplayer-friendly features. Its reveal was complimented by ananimation campaign with Machinima, an intriguing (and now dead) website and a publicized public testing which came with an email stating, “We know other companies out there have traditional hand-held gaming covered. We’re doing something very different.”
Above: The last time Panasonic bothered to create a console
It's true: the Jungle had potential. Unfortunately for Panasonic, now is not the time to be an underdog in the portable gaming market.Try back in2013?
[Source:Reuters]
Mar 1, 2011
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Public testing begins for Panasonic's Jungle
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Let's forget about the 3DO and try again, eh?
