Mad Box Console Has “Questionable” Future Following Google Stadia Reveal
The gaming industry was given a swift kick to the keister following the reveal of Google Stadia, the all-encompassing streaming platform showcasing some impressive aspirations that would undoubtedly change the way we play games moving forward. While Google’s service is largely seen as an exciting innovation, the grand reveal apparently did no favors for emerging tech developers Slightly Mad Studios, whose planned Mad Box console has seen a sharp decline in interest as of late.
Slightly Mad’s online marketing director Nathan Bell revealed as much in an interview with PCGamesInsider.biz, where he confirmed investors have decidedly cooled on their forthcoming hardware, a fact he attributes to Stadia’s reveal just over a month ago. “We had some solid investment lined up, but Google saying ‘the future of gaming isn’t in a box’ hasn’t done us any favours,” Bell explained. “Two investors pulled out after the announcement of Stadia. All I can say at this stage is the future of the project is questionable.”
Though not linked, this investor exodus follows another reported issue from earlier last month, this time materializing in the form of a trademark dispute. According to PCGamesInsider.biz, a French games company by the similar name ‘Madbox’ filed opposition to the Mad Box moniker, citing a potential “likelihood of confusion on the part of the public.” As a result, Slightly Mad was said to have withdrawn it’s trademark application, suggesting a name change for the console might be in order, if at all.
This string of events is pretty unfortunate for Slightly Mad as well as fans, especially considering how admirably ambitious the project aimed to be. Not only did the Mad Box boast a developer-friendly workspace and some standout hardware capabilities, but it also touted a number of interesting features such as a unique form factor as well as a front touchscreen interface. Though these recent developments don’t necessarily spell doom for the “Mad” console, its future as a major part of next-gen gaming doesn’t look too promising either.
What do you think? Are you bummed the Mad Box may be doomed, or do you feel the project is still Slightly Mad enough to work? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
