Ink Console is a handheld game console that combines electronic paper technology, designed specifically for text adventure games and interactive novels, providing an experience more suitable for long-term reading and playing. The device, which is currently being crowdfunded and is expected to be launched on the Crowd Supply platform, will be the first E Ink handheld game console on the market specifically designed for interactive fiction and role-playing stories.
The Ink Console uses a 7.5-inch (800×480) E Ink display , which uses electronic paper technology to provide a display effect close to that of paper, reducing the eye strain caused by long-term screen viewing and has low power consumption. The device is powered by an ESP32-D0WDQ6 dual-core 32-bit microprocessor , equipped with 8MB PSRAM, 520KB SRAM and 4MB Flash memory , and supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.2 , allowing players to download game content or connect to other devices. Built-in 5000mAh replaceable lithium battery provides long battery life and supports SD card expansion , allowing players to store more games and text content.
The design focus of this handheld console is on interactive novels and role-playing games . The operating system has built-in item management and character status systems , allowing players to collect props and manage character attributes in the game, enhancing interactivity during the game. In addition, Ink Console provides an SDK (software development kit) that allows developers and players to design their own game content and share and download their works through the official GameBook Store platform, forming a gaming platform specifically for narrative games.
Ink Console's game content will be mainly provided through the GameBook Store , a platform that allows community creators to freely upload, share or sell digital gamebooks they designed. The game will be available in both digital and physical versions . The digital version can be downloaded and played directly, while the physical version will be released in limited quantities and will come with collectible packaging, instruction manuals, stickers and other peripherals to attract players who love collecting. Currently, the GameBook Store has not been officially opened, but in the future it will become the core content platform of Ink Console, allowing players to continuously obtain new interactive novels and game experiences.
Currently, the price of Ink Console has not been disclosed, and it is expected to be launched on Crowd Supply for crowdfunding next month . Officials said that in the future, they will launch various types of text adventure games, covering themes such as exploration, deep sea, science fiction and fantasy , to attract users with different reading and gaming habits, and provide more choices for text games and e-reading devices.
The launch of Ink Console has opened up new applications for electronic paper technology and provided players who love interactive novels and narrative games with a handheld device that is more suitable for reading and long-term gaming. As the market demand for low-power, blue-light-free displays increases, this device can meet the needs of some players who want to combine electronic games and reading.