Chinese companies ZTE and The9 joining forces to release games console later this month

According to Bloomberg China’s second-largest game developer and operator The9 has partnered with telecoms manufacturer ZTE to create China’s first legitimate games console. This is not an unexpected development, given China’s recent removal of its thirteen year console ban. But it is a bit of a surprise the thing is coming so soon, as it’s reportedly scheduled for release later this month!

(See: The rise and fall of Mark Kern: how one man may have doomed Firefall and The9)

The console has been affectionately titled: the “Fun Box.” It has 2GB of RAM, Bluetooth and twin WiFi antennas, it can stream HD content from the internet and from USB devices connected to it. There’s no word on the operating system, but my money is on Android. This would bring the Fun Box in line with the Ouya and Huawei’s Tron.

(See: The first Chinese game console: Huawei’s Tron)

We have little information on games or other features, but The9 is looking into options both domestic and overseas. Whatever the situation is, this is an exciting development for a console market in its infancy.

(via Bloomberg)