Roku has been one of the leaders in set top boxes for video streaming content to HDTVs, effectively providing Internet access for movie, video, and TV show downloads. Today the brand announced that they will be launching a new initiative that includes video games and motion controllers. Their premiere game title will be Angry Birds, which already has captivated a huge player base of tens of millions of bird slinging addicts.
The Roku controller is not a far cry from Nintendo’s Wii MotionPlus controller, with a significant piece of tech differentiating the two from each other. The Wii controller uses infrared light as a tracking mechanism, while the Roku uses an internal component that focuses on the controller’s orientation. In other words, the Roku streaming box will recognize a gaming move to the right or left when the controller is flicked.
The Roku gaming system streams 1080p HD quality video to your HDTV, which at times can render the graphics a little sluggish. This is probably something we have to live with until the tech involved improves. The architecture of the device includes a system on a chip design, leaving it not quite as powerful as a dedicated game console such as a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.
Those who have gotten a sneak peak and chance to try the new Roku 2 have reported that the controller was highly responsive, and comparable to the Wii MotionPlus controller. Users reported superb real time functionality, which is a necessary element for successful motion gaming action.
Roku plans to add game content to the Roku 2 box on an aggressive and consistent schedule that includes a focus on casual gaming that is family friendly and that anybody can simply jump into. Mentioned titles thus far have been Pac-Man: Championship Edition, as well as other Namco titles and additional versions of the Angry Birds game. While they are excited about getting their gaming feet wet, the Roku brand has always primarily focused on video and movie streaming, and intends to maintain its Netflix app as its flagship product. Being that Roku was an initiative that transpired out of Netflix three years back with the objective of creating a set top box for streaming Netflix content directly to televisions, we’re not surprised to hear that Netfilx is their focus even as they venture out into gaming directives.
The Roku devices use regular batteries either AA or AAA based on which model you are using. A power cable is also an option. They connect to the internet wirelessly, however the top level model does offer a standard broadband port if you need it. The Roku boxes range in price from $60 to $100, but only the top level $100 box includes the game remote and the free Angry Birds game. The Roku boxes consumer a considerably less amount of power than DVRs or full fledged gaming consoles. Roku consumers around 5 watts of power as opposed to the PS3 that comes in at around 130 watts of power. All of the Roku models offer 256 mb of internal storage, and memory expansion options via a microSD card.
It is likely that the Roku will be set up for demonstrations at your local Best Buy or other electronics gadget store, so it might be fun to stop in and try out this new motion gaming concept and see how it fares as opposed to the other full fledged gaming consoles.
