The creator of the Sui blockchain teamed up with gaming startup Playtron to introduce the SuiPlay0X1, which is being promoted as the first handheld Web3 gaming device, to compete with popular gaming consoles like those from Nintendo and Steam.
Pre-order is live, $599
Customers can purchase the SuiPlay0X1 using various cryptocurrencies, including SUI, ETH, and SOL too, and the device is expected to start shipping in 2025.
The first thousand customers who preorder will receive a special non-transferable NFT, which will provide future rewards and benefits.
The SuiPlay0X1 will be equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840U CPU, an AMD Ryzen 780M graphics card. 16 GB of RAM. 512 GB SSD (can be expanded). Seven-inch display. Quite impressive, ngl!
The device runs on Playtron’s own operating system, allowing it to play games from the Sui blockchain as well as blockchain games from other networks and PC games from platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Let’s play a game!
The SuiPlay0X1 wants to get their share in a market currently led by the Steam Deck, which is popular but doesn’t support blockchain games.
Developers often have to create non-crypto versions of their games to sell on Steam.
Adeniyi Abiodun, the Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Mysten Labs stated that gamers primarily want enjoyable and smooth experiences, regardless of the technology behind the games.
He believes that the SuiPlay0X1 will demonstrate that games using blockchain technology can feel just as good as traditional games. The device will feature Sui-based games like Xociety and Dark Times.
This isn’t the first time Web3 ventured into consumer hardware. Solana Labs launched the Solana Saga and Saga 2 phone-hardware wallet hybrids.
BitBoy One was announced too, focusing on Bitcoin gaming in a Game Boy-style format. In the social media, SuiPlay0X1 also was cheered as the ’Game Boy for web3’, and the comparison to the legendary device is pretty good sign.
Growing popularity
Sui saw impressive growth this year, ranking twelfth among smart contract networks with a total value locked of $604 million, up from $466 million at the beginning of January.
The top five DeFi protocols on the Sui network have shown monthly growth between 37% and 134%.
The SUI token increased by 50% in the past month alone, but have to mention it’s still down 60% from its ATH reached in March.
