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Earlier today, Amazon unveiled their answer to the Apple TVs and Rokus of the world with a set top box of their own: Amazon Fire TV. Based on a forked version of Android, we already told you everything you needed to know about the tiny media box, where you can buy it for $99, and how it compares to some of the competition.
Probably the most unique aspect — or at least what gives Amazon Fire TV its edge over some of the competition — is its game offerings. For an extra $40, Amazon Fire TVs get the ability to play games using Amazon’s game controller. While that may sound a bit steep, the controller gives Fire TV gamers access to the Amazon’s first exclusive title: Sev Zero.
Developed in-house by Amazon Games Studios, the sci-fi title combines a 3rd person shooter with the strategy of a classic tower defense game. Amazon describes the game as:
“Wield an expansive arsenal of firepower across 15 levels to hold off the alien onslaught that’s threatening you and the entire planet. In Sev Zero, players can jump between environments — start in tower defense mode to build out towers and assess the surroundings, then beam down to shooter mode for face-to-face combat.”
Because a game controller is required, it’s better suited for gaming from the couch. Graphically, it may not blow your socks off, but it’s just a hint of what’s in store for Amazon Fire TV this year. Check out the launch trailer below.
If you want something done right, sometimes you gotta do it yourself. It’s clear that’s what Amazon was thinking when they kicked off their latest venture, Amazon Game Studios. You may remember talk of Amazon recently acquiring Double Helix games, the game studio behind titles like Killer Instinct and the new Strider reboot for next gen consoles.
With a triple-A studio like Double Helix at the helm, we have little doubt Amazon Fire TV will be a force to reckon with when it comes to Android game consoles (and already has the jump on rumors of Google/Android game console).
For a sneak peek at what Amazon Game Studios already has lined up for later this year, check out the video below.
Download on Amazon: Sev Zero
*Yawn* on Sev Zero
Looks… Okay. I don’t think this’ll make me get the hardware for it tho
The game looks very interesting!
Sev Zero = Android Mass Effect?
EA already make ME: Infiltrator for android
In-game purchases required? Real Racing 3 situation here?
Somewhat surprised that the game only runs on the Fire TV, though – you would think it would be a relative no-brainer to give the HDX controller support and have it support the game. (Of course, the HDX is considerably more powerful than the Fire TV, so that’s a possible drawback if you’re in the business of selling hardware…)
This looks like a ripoff of a certain mode in Black Ops 2 AND also appears to be made with the “generic-action-game” cookie cutter. Way to go Amazon!
Looks good for 2004. But but big screen gamers live in 2014 with a console or PC.