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Indie publisher Panic has announced plans to launch a new handheld console called the Playdate, and it's quite the interesting proposition, being backed by some impressive names.
Making the announcement last night, the Playdate has a 'high reflectivity' black and white screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB-C packed into its tiny frame, but most intriguingly a crank on its right side. This is actually an analogue control mechanism that compliments the standard buttons, and is expected to be used by developers in interesting, unique ways in their games for the system.
Introducing Playdate, a new handheld gaming system from Panic.
It fits in your pocket. It's got a black and white screen. It includes a season of brand-new games from amazing creators. Oh and… there's a crank???? https://t.co/WiIPUkpjSq
Yes. A thread… pic.twitter.com/47BwSOtiiP
— Playdate (@playdate) May 22, 2019
Speaking of the games, the Playdate is also doing interesting things on that front. See, the console will come with 12 games, with one released every week downloaded onto your system via the internet. These games though will actually mostly be a surprise with the details of many (except one, which we'll come to) being kept under wraps until their release, but some very exciting names have already been attached including QWOP creator Bennett Foddy and Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi.
Takahasi's game is called Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure, and sees the crank being used to control the flow of time to get the titular Crankin to his date with Crankette while trying to navigate a series of time-proof obstacles.
About those games. We reached out to some of our favorite people, like @KeitaTakahash, @bfod, @helvetica, @shauninman, and many more.
Here's a peek at one: Crankin's Time Travel Adventure, from Keita. It's fun and funny. pic.twitter.com/0Ibwqr5k3I
— Playdate (@playdate) May 22, 2019
The Playdate is expected to cost around $149 USD when it launches in 2020, with pre-orders expected to start later in the year. You can already register on the Playdate's official website for more information.
Panic is, up until this point, mostly known for being the publisher of the wonderful Firewatch and the upcoming Untitled Goose Game.
