Sui Gaming makes handheld games that target Steam, PC, and Crypto

Game start Playtron It's trying to challenge the dominance of handhelds from giants like Steam and Nintendo by launching a low-cost, flexible operating system that works on all devices — and it's teaming up with Mysteron Labs to launch the service. Su– Product model.

On Wednesday, Playtron and Myston Labs unveiled the SuiPlay0x1 at the Sui Basecamp event in Paris — a handheld gaming device that runs the Linux-based Playtron OS.

In the year The portable console, which is expected to launch in 2025, will be able to run games built on Sui, but also blockchain games on other networks, as well as PC games from Steam, Epic Games Store and more – as long as it has enough power (the details have not yet been announced).

Myston and Playtron are promising for deep and native integration of Sui blockchain. User-owned Sui assets are linked to their Playtron account, allowing them to access them from any device. The instruments will be knocked. Sui zkLogin feature For Web2-like portals. It also allows users to pay for traditional games using the Sui wallet through Playtron's own storefront.

Playtron He recently came out of hidingAnnouncing a $10 million funding round, along with Samsung Next and other crypto firms like Polychain and Cirque Ventures, including Misten Labs. Co-founder and CEO Kurt McMaster was previously CEO of mobile OS startup Cyanogen, while co-founder and chairman John Lagerling helped scale Android at Google.

McMaster shared his criticism of what he calls a “monopoly” on Steam, the dominant computer game marketplace. Steam Blockchain does not allow games.Therefore, the studios developing the technology had to create non-crypto versions or Find solutions To hit the big storefront. The popular Steam Deck leads the charge for handheld PC gaming devices.

Crypto games are “second-class citizens” with such a model, which is why many of them are independent or start with blockchain-based startups. It has an Epic Games store. It was friendly to such games, but Steam commands a very large audience. The Playtron launcher claims to be able to host these games and more.

“We want to build an operating system that allows people to play everything,” McMaster said DecryptGG.

While Sue integration is native and baked into the operating system, McMaster and Mysten Labs co-founder and chief product officer Adeniyi Abiodun confirmed. DecryptDevices running the OS can play crypto games developed on other networks. But of course, Myston hopes that native integration will push more devs to build on Sui.

Crypto incentives

SuiPlay0x1 is sure to draw comparisons. Solana Saga smartphone. Given the corruption of dealing with Decentralized applications (Dapps) With common mobile devices from major companies, Solana Labs has chosen to build its own flagship-quality Android phone with native Solana integrations and hardware wallet functionality.

Saga initially proved to be a great tool for demand—but along the way it helped to realize that it could be used to effectively create a pool of die-hard users rewarded with token airdrops and other incentives. Give it a second wind. Solana Labs is currently under construction Cheap “Chapter 2” successor around such thinking.

No doubt, SuiPlay0x1 will draw comparisons to what Solana Labs did with Saga. Playtron and MyStone admit that, but everyone already has a phone – and most people don't want to give up theirs for a better model of crypto hooks. They are even more bullish on the idea of ​​a crypto-infused game console that can play just about anything.

But you'll see the same benefit of owning SuiPlay0x1 as the Saga before it: exclusive benefits for users. Consider free tokens and assets to entice players to try a new game, perhaps on-chain rewards, and discounts and incentives for Sui users. They are thinking of subsidizing the device in some way to bring down the price and bring in players.

“Now imagine being able to pre-dump assets to people who have the tools to get them into the game. Now your cost to acquire a user is much lower, Abiodun said. Imagine being able to entice them with rewards/loyalty schemes that will keep them playing the game over time and getting more value in the long run.

The device, he added, “allows people to make payments that are not covered by traditional payment methods.” USDC And so on. A stable coin. and user ownership NFTs It can act as an “Participation Pass” to provide special benefits.

And just like many of the late Solana Saga buyers snapped up the last phones Request a share of BONK meme coins Worth more than the actual price of the phone at the time, Abiodun said Miston Labs plans to “subsidize” the cost of the handheld system with tokens to get people to buy into the Sui gaming ecosystem.

“We absolutely give token incentives for people to buy the device,” he said. “Ultimately, we think the ecosystem of these players will be extremely valuable long-term, so the investment is a no-brainer from our perspective.”

Mysten Labs and Playtron have yet to announce a potential price point for SuiPlay0x1 or how they plan to incentivize purchases with token rewards. But McMaster thinks it will eventually be affordable and attractive enough to get new users into the world of crypto — and maybe even break even. Anti-crypto mentality from many players.

“This is an opportunity to open doors for people who may not have been involved with crypto before,” he said. DecryptGG. But it's the first time to find this device and at a surprisingly good price.