The first 1,000 pre-orders will receive a special NFT, and there are less than 100 left.

Written by Alex Liu, Foresight News

It is not uncommon for blockchain projects to launch hardware products themselves or in partnership in the Web3 industry. The promotion method of token airdrops has been extremely successful. Maybe people buy a "Web3 phone" not for the phone, but for the potential token airdrops behind it.

Against this backdrop, Mysten Labs (Sui blockchain development company) and gaming startup Playtron have teamed up to launch the game console SuiPlay0x1, which is now available for pre-order. The first 1,000 pre-orderers will also receive a special soul-bound NFT and enjoy special access rights, rewards, and benefits.

Is it worth buying?

Putting aside the airdrop expectations, let’s first take a look at the game console itself.

Price, configuration

The price is $599 and payment can be made using SUI, SOL, or ETH.

Let me first say the conclusion: Putting aside all the Web3 and cryptocurrency factors, the price of the configuration and settings promised by SuiPlay is "okay".

The official website picture shows: the original price after the pre-sale is $649

Hardware specifications

The pre-sale price is $599 (excluding taxes and shipping costs), and the official configuration is as follows:

  • CPU：AMD Ryzen 7 7840U

  • GPU：AMD Ryzen 780M

  • Memory/Storage: 16 GB DRAM memory, 512GB SSD capacity + expandable storage

  • Screen: 7-inch IPS borderless screen, 1920 x 1200 resolution

  • Battery: 48 - 50 Wh, 65 W PD fast charge

  • Wireless connectivity: WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2

  • Operating system: Playtron OS

  • Dimensions: 264.5*105.5*21.5 mm

  • Height from top of controller: 36.1 mm

  • Weight: 677 g

  • Color options: White

This level of hardware and pricing is roughly comparable to the entry-level configuration of flagship products in the handheld industry a year ago (almost two years ago when it was officially released). Compared with other Web3 hardware that is often 3 to 5 years behind (Saga, Jambo, CoralApp...), it can be considered an improvement. (Reference product: The AYANEO 2s 7840U version released in the middle of last year has almost the same hardware configuration as SuiPlay, and was priced at 4,699 yuan when it was launched last year)

Playtron OS

Playtron, which collaborated with Mysten Labs to launch Play0X1, is a developer specializing in handheld gaming operating systems, and SuiPlay0X1 will be its first hardware product.

Playtron was founded by Kirt McMaster, the former founder of Cyanogen (a well-known third-party Android ROM). Like SteamOS, Playtron OS is also based on Linux and supports both x86 and ARM platforms. It is expected that AYANEO, a well-known domestic handheld manufacturer, will also launch products equipped with Playtron OS at the end of this year.

SuiPlay0X1 will be powered by Playtron OS and is the first handheld gaming device to integrate the Sui blockchain, and will natively support Sui games as well as Steam and Epic game libraries.

PlaytronOS supports game platforms such as Steam, Epic, GOG, etc.

Ecological chain tour

SuiPlay0X1 will also be home to Sui-powered blockchain games such as Xociety, a popular shooter that blends RPG elements, dynamic PvP, and immersive PvE experiences, and DarkTimes, a free-to-play medieval combat royale game inspired by the Nordic style with a physics-based combat system.

Using SuiPlay0x1 to play related blockchain games may get certain bonuses (token airdrops?).

Potential Airdrops

When it comes to Web3 devices, what everyone is most concerned about is the airdrop.

The first 1,000 pre-orderers of SuiPlay will receive a special soul-bound NFT, and the official said they will enjoy special access rights, rewards, and benefits. This strategy is obviously aimed at Solana Saga mobile phone. However, whether there will be a related airdrop boom remains to be seen whether the ecological projects cooperate with the official.

But compared to the 1000 u price and tens of thousands of Solana Saga 1 before the price cut, SuiPlay’s 599 USD price and 1000 limited NFTs seem to be a good deal. Solana 1 mobile phone users received thousands of USD in tokens, and SuiPlay NFT holders only need an airdrop worth 600,000 USD to get their money back.

Moreover, even if there is no airdrop in the end, at least you can still get a game console with the same configuration that is currently sold online for 3,000 or 4,000 RMB in the first half of next year.

Airdrops may not pay off, but games may make you happy.

Note: As of the time of posting, the editor persuaded a colleague to buy one, and his NFT number is 907.