Plug is pulled on Indrema box plans
By John Gaudiosi
APRIL 9 | The Indrema system, which was to combine open-sourced Linux videogaming, DVD movie playback, interactive TV, MP3 audio playback and Internet functionality into one $299 box, has become another victim of tough times in the technology sector (VB, 12-4).
"Although there\'s a lot of interest in the product, the grim reality is that after six months of looking, we\'re not able to find funding to continue the operation," Indrema president John Gildred told VB. "I already let go of several staff members and will have to let the rest of the staff go this week."
Gildred founded Indrema in January 2000, when funding was easy to come by, and had a staff of 50 until recently. The first Indrema model, code-named the L600, was scheduled to ship this summer, months before Microsoft\'s Xbox. However, venture capitalists didn\'t like its chances against Xbox or Sony\'s PlayStation 2, even though Gildred\'s plan was to slowly roll out a grass roots campaign and grow from there.
Hundreds of independent developers were developing games for the platform, which was to launch with 30 games. The open-sourced system allowed for anyone with a computer to get the development kit for free online and create games for Indrema. Games were to have been distributed online and at retail.
Gildred said that although Indrema is dead, he will take the interactive TV portion of his dream to his new employer, a major Japanese consumer electronics company.
"I will develop a similar product and re-invent it under another umbrella without the videogame options," said Gildred. "Although in this case, I\'ll be working for a company, rather than creating it from the ground up. My passion is still there for this product."
http://videobusiness.com/games/040901_indrema_termination.asp
