New Console Developer? Ian Bell Announces 'Mad Box'

[Paul Jeffrey]

Slightly Mad Studios Ian Bell has confirmed on Twitter that the developers behind Project CARS are working on a new and super powerful console.

Intending to pitch right into the fight for console supremacy with the likes of Microsoft and Sony, Bell has confirmed that SMS are working on the provisionally titled 'Mad Box' device, with plans to significantly move the console marketplace forward with what has been described as "the most powerful console ever built...".

Although plans are in the infancy at this moment in time, Bell has stated that the new Mad Box console should be VR compatible from the off, with a proposed 90fps per eye, 180 FPS internally expected at the point of the consoles release - expected to be two or three years away at this stage.

Although much of the internal spec is still under consideration by Slightly Mad Studios, the overall design of the console has surfaced earlier today, as can be evidenced by the screenshots in this article, and Bell has been in very bullish mood during much of initial reveal discussions on social media - coming straight out of the blocks with some very impressive statements about the consoles capabilities once launched - easily putting the new Mad Box in the frame as a potential Xbox and PlayStation 4 beating piece of hardware.

Of course it is still early days in the development of the new Mad Box, but if the initial plans for the console do come to fruition this will be a very impressive piece of kit indeed. One of the key features mentioned briefly by Ian is the desire to open up the game engine to developers, presumably allowing game developers to access the engine platform in which to develop new games. Furthermore, Bell has stated that this will be a free facility for developers, which should be a powerful incentive for game studios to create content that works well with the new console.

All in all this is certainly a surprise move from SMS, and one very interesting topic to keep an eye on in the coming months..

 

 

[Filip Carlén]

VR at 60 FPS and 4K and all that stuff is worthless without games to play. They really need a great collection of games for people to buy this, especially since with the high price (assumed, 60 FPS VR/4K-cabable hardware isn't cheap). Sounds very ambitious, and we have many failed examples of new consoles that sounds great on paper and with a ambitious developer...

 

[mantasisg]

When you have a bug in your logo

 

[Wedge]

Oh God, what a joke. They failed twice with PCARS, now making a spiritual sequel that nobody asked for, and this? We gamers barely accept new game launchers/clients like Origin, Battlenet, GOG Galaxy, UPlay, Epic Launcher, Bethesda Launcher, and SMS wanna throw another game console? Look what happened to Steam Machines and Ouya console. This is Titanic bound to hit an iceberg and sink gloriously.

 

[MPortnoy]

Buggy $60 software I can live with, buggy hardware that will cost 10 times more, I see a problem.

 

[Kurupt CDN]

3 pages of comments and no one has asked if the madbox will support ACC yet? I am shocked!

 

[Brownninja97]

I cant imagine this can possibly end well, they dont have nearly enough to rival Sony or Microsoft or get pc players off pc. For consoles the portable market is perhaps the only area with which another competitor could join. SMS are wasting a lot of money. The investors are out of their minds if they think it would be a good idea to back this.

 

[Enagee]

3 pages of comments and no one has asked if the madbox will support ACC yet?

Just pcars and shift

 

[CC]

I cant imagine this can possibly end well, they dont have nearly enough to rival Sony or Microsoft or get pc players off pc. For consoles the portable market is perhaps the only area with which another competitor could join. SMS are wasting a lot of money. The investors are out of their minds if they think it would be a good idea to back this.

Exactly, worlds most powerful console to do what with lol, play Pcars 3 or 4 ?
this wont end well at all...

 

[Deleted member 503495]

He doesn't have a good track record but I will be watching how it develops and if it becomes reality, instead of lashing out unpleasantries. Bravado and hype can't compete without the hardware to carry the weight of his words in a world dominated by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

The design is too much modern furniture centerpiece instead of a more functional, space-conscious item but much like Project CARS promised and marketed career mode, I would expect this to change a lot until it is a tangible item ready for manufacturing.

 

[Mascot]

This is the weirdest thing I've ever heard. I keep thinking I'm asleep.

 

[Mark Brunner]

April? Is that you? WTF this is the oddest thing to pop up in a while

 

[ears]

He just squeezed the last couple of drops from the integrity sponge.

Bone dry now.

 

[SamuelSouza]

So his idea is to do a steambox (idea that Valve scraped).... well, good luck

 

[E304LIFE]

LOL, thanks Paul, wasn't expecting that!

Surely Mr Bell has a friend to remind him to "never go full xx"...No? Well, I hope SMS finish another simulator before they become insolvent.

Mod Edit: Appreciate it isn't a direct insult, but please avoid use of inflammatory / disrespectful words.. thanks!

 

[Allan Ramsbottom]

@Gopher04
That is the best reply on here, Dude you need a case of beer sending over for that...

 

[Shaun Clarke]

Jesus, it was January yesterday and it's 1st of April already, how time flys....

Oh wait he is serious........

 

[Jason Mullin]

Personally I would rather RD stop putting up news about this waste of space called IB (irritable bowel)..far as I'm concerned he could create something special and earn millions from it, but I would rest in peace knowing I would of never spent another penny funding this bald twat. You have to earn respect to be given it, and the only thing I'd give him is a wig made of his own shite to go with the bad smell that surrounds him..Dam did I say that out allowed..ah well..

Hey gopher go crawl back down your hole and go easy on bald guys, Ian Bell is not the only bald man around!

 

[Durge Driven]

How much in R&D will something like this cost ?

Better idea would be to hire ISI to build new gen physics engine

 

[Shaun Clarke]

Trust my good old friend @Gopher04 to really go to town, Mark has never been one to mince his words, but so true, although attacking bald people is a little harsh, but ignoring that.......

So Ian Bell and his Team cannot get not 1, not 2, not even 3 "sims" correct and they now want to build hardware to run their non working sims on......Oh my days

 

[Shaun Clarke]

Trying to polish a turd is one thing.....but this.........