Gamevice

Last updated
Gamevice, Inc.
HeadquartersSuite 200, 685 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, California, U.S. [1]
Website gamevice.com

Gamevice, Inc. [2] (formerly Wikipad, Inc.) [3] is a Simi Valley, California based tablet and tablet peripherals manufacturer specializing in gaming products.

Contents

The debut product was the Wikipad, a proprietary Android tablet hardware engineered for mobile gaming, which featured a detachable controller. Gamevice later came to market with a peripheral-only product, rebranded under the name, Gamevice. [4]

The company was founded by Matthew Joynes, James Bower, and Brendan Iribe. Appointing the current CEO Phillip Hyun. [5]

History

Wikipad

Wikipad
Wikipad logo.svg
Wikipad 01.jpg
The first model of Wikipad tablet with game controller attached
DeveloperWikipad, Inc. (now Gamevice, Inc.)
Type Tablet
Release dateJune 11, 2013 (2013-06-11)
Introductory priceUS$249
Controller inputDetachable
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, HDMI output, Bluetooth 4.0 [6] [7]
Online services Google Play, PlayStation Mobile, Tegra Zone [8]
Websitewww.wikipad.com

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 10, 2012, the Wikipad was shown with both a 2D and a glasses-free 3D-enabled device. [9] In May 2012, Gaikai, a cloud gaming service which Sony acquired two months later in July 2012, partnered with Wikipad, Inc. to integrate its streaming service into the tablet. [10] [11]

The Wikipad was originally scheduled for an October 31, 2011 release, but was delayed indefinitely on the day it was originally supposed to be released. [12] The Wikipad was released on June 11, 2013 in the United States with a price tag of $249. [13] [14]

In March 2014, a game control mapping tool was announced for the Wikipad to help map touchscreen game controls to the physical Wikipad controller in an effort to improve gameplay. [15] Also in March, the price of the Wikipad dropped to $199. [15] In June 2014, OnLive cloud gaming support was added to the Wikipad. [16]

Reception

Eurogamer rated the Wikipad's screen size and intentions as nice, saying it had "its heart in the right place", but decided that the lack of compelling Android games, high launch price, and outdated specs and software limited the appeal of the device. [17]

IGN gave the Wikipad poor reviews taking into consideration the lack of games in its library, flimsy construction, and software that was considered dated, even at the time of the device's release. It concludes that "The Wikipad is a mostly failed attempt at turning an Android tablet into a gaming handheld." [18]

An aggregation of reviews done by Engadget shows the average review score of the Wikipad among critics to be 58/100. [19]

Gamevice

In January 2014, Wikipad, Inc. announced a new controller called Gamevice to expand its mobile device coverage. [20] [21] The industrial design for the Gamevice controller was developed by RKS Design. [22] [23] Gamevice is a detachable controller with a classic D-pad; twin triggers; A, B, X, and Y buttons; and dual analog sticks. [21] [24]

On January 31, 2017, a new Gamevice controller was released for the iPhone 7. [25] On February 15, 2018, Gamevice announced and launched a Minecraft-themed controller bundle, which includes a Gamevice controller, a carrying case for the controller and a download code for Minecraft on iOS. [26]

In August 2017, Gamevice filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the design of the Nintendo Switch conflicts with its patent on the design for the Wikipad. The lawsuit sought damages on existing Switch sales and banning further sales of the console. [27] The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by Gamevice in October 2017. [28]

However, in March 2018, Gamevice initiated a second patent infringement lawsuit on Nintendo related to a different set of patents. Gamevice also sought action through the United States International Trade Commission related to patent infringement under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, and was seeking to block imports of the Switch into the United States. [29] [30] [31]

On October 10, 2019, the lawsuit against Nintendo ended, alleging the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined to affirm the conclusion of the presiding administrative law judge's initial determination that no violation of Section 337 has occurred. [32]

On March 27, 2020, Gamevice filed a new patent-infringement lawsuit at the USITC against Nintendo in addition to appealing the previous case that it lost. [33] It ended in favour of Nintendo. [34] [35]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D-pad</span> Input device for a video game controller

A D-pad is a flat, typically thumb-operated, directional control. D-pads are found on nearly all modern gamepads, handheld game consoles, and audiovisual device remote controls. Because they operate using four internal push-buttons, the vast majority of D-pads provide discrete, rather than continuous, directional options—typically limited to up, down, left, and right, and sometimes offering intermediate diagonals by means of two-button combinations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WaveBird Wireless Controller</span> Radio frequency-based wireless controller for the GameCube

The WaveBird Wireless Controller is a radio frequency-based wireless controller manufactured by Nintendo for use with the GameCube home video game console. Its name is a reference to Dolphin, the GameCube's codename during development. The WaveBird was available for purchase separately as well as in bundles with either Metroid Prime or Mario Party 4, which were exclusive to Kmart in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tablet computer</span> Mobile computer with integrated display, circuitry and battery

A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a mobile device, typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat package. Tablets, being computers, have similar capabilities, but lack some input/output (I/O) abilities that others have. Modern tablets largely resemble modern smartphones, the only differences being that tablets are relatively larger than smartphones, with screens 7 inches (18 cm) or larger, measured diagonally, and may not support access to a cellular network. Unlike laptops, tablets usually run mobile operating systems, alongside smartphones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixaxis</span> Wireless gamepad by Sony

The Sixaxis is a wireless gamepad produced by Sony for their PlayStation 3 video game console. It was introduced alongside the PlayStation 3 in 2006 and remained the console's official controller until 2008. The Sixaxis was succeeded by the DualShock 3, an updated version of the controller that, like the DualShock and DualShock 2 controllers, incorporates haptic technology – also known as force feedback. A Sixaxis controller can also be used with PSP Go and the PlayStation TV via Bluetooth after registering the controller on a PlayStation 3 console.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pen computing</span> Uses a stylus and tablet/touchscreen

Pen computing refers to any computer user-interface using a pen or stylus and tablet, over input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.

This is a list of tablet computers, grouped by intended audience and form factor.

Gaikai is an American company which provides technology for the streaming of high-end video games. Its technology has multiple applications, including in-home streaming over a local wired or wireless network, as well as cloud-based gaming where video games are rendered on remote servers and delivered to end users via internet streaming

The 2010s was the fifth decade in the industry's history. The decade was notable for producing the first truly "3D" games and consoles, introducing cloud gaming and virtual reality to consumers, and the rising influence of tablet-based and mobile casual games, including a boom in freemium titles. The industry remained heavily dominated by the actions of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. The eighth generation of video game consoles was released, including the Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation Vita. Notable games released in the decade included Minecraft, Fortnite, PUBG: Battlegrounds,Grand Theft Auto V, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Last of Us, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Red Dead Redemption, Marvel's Spider-Man, Dark Souls, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Batman: Arkham City, BioShock Infinite, Dishonored, Halo: Reach,Mass Effect 2, Disco Elysium, Undertale, Overwatch, Super Mario Odyssey, Red Dead Redemption 2, L.A. Noire,Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Far Cry 3, Destiny, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, The Walking Dead, Persona 5,Dragon Age: Inquisition, Portal 2, Diablo III, Horizon Zero Dawn, Journey, Shovel Knight, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Death Stranding, Titanfall 2, Xenoblade Chronicles,Cuphead, and God of War.

Cloud gaming, sometimes called gaming on demand or game streaming, is a type of online gaming that runs video games on remote servers and streams the game's output directly to a user's device, or more colloquially, playing a game remotely from a cloud. It contrasts with traditional means of gaming, wherein a game is run locally on a user's video game console, personal computer, or mobile device.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1</span> Tablet computer

Introduced in 2011, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is an Android-based tablet computer designed and manufactured by Samsung. It is part of the Samsung Galaxy Tab series, and features a 10.1-inch (260 mm) display and a 1 GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9</span> Tablet computer by Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is an Android-based tablet computer designed and manufactured by Samsung, introduced on 22 March 2011 at CTIA wireless convention in its Samsung Unpacked event in Orlando. It is part of the Samsung Galaxy Tab series, and features an 8.9-inch display and a 1 GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wii U GamePad</span> Primary game controller for the Wii U

The Wii U GamePad is the standard game controller for Nintendo's Wii U home video game console. Incorporating features from tablet computers, the GamePad has traditional input methods, touchscreen controls, and motion controls. The touchscreen can be used to supplement a game by providing alternate, second screen functionality or an asymmetric view of a scenario in a game. The screen can also be used to play a game strictly on the GamePad screen without the use of a television display. Conversely, non-gaming functions can be assigned to it as well, such as using it as a television remote.

The smartphone wars or smartphone patents licensing and litigation refers to commercial struggles among smartphone manufacturers including Sony Mobile, Google, Apple Inc., Samsung, Microsoft, Nokia, Motorola, Huawei, LG Electronics, ZTE and HTC, by patent litigation and other means. The conflict is part of the wider "patent wars" between technology and software corporations.

Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is the general title of a series of patent infringement lawsuits between Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics in the United States Court system, regarding the design of smartphones and tablet computers. Between them, the two companies have dominated the manufacturing of smartphones since the early 2010s, and made about 40% of all smartphones sold worldwide as of 2024. In early 2011, Apple began litigating against Samsung in patent infringement suits, with Samsung typically filing countersuits with similar allegations. Apple's multinational litigation over technology patents became known as part of the smartphone wars: extensive litigation and fierce competition in the global market for consumer mobile communications.

A lock screen is a computer user interface element used by various operating systems. They regulate immediate access to a device by requiring the user to perform a certain action in order to receive access, such as entering a password, using a certain button combination, or performing a certain gesture using a device's touchscreen. There are various authentication methods to get past the lock screen, with the most popular and common ones being personal identification numbers (PINs), the Android pattern lock, and biometrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Switch</span> Hybrid video game console

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Released in the middle of the eighth generation of home consoles, the Switch succeeded the Wii U and competes with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4; it has also competed with the ninth-generation consoles, Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S and Sony's PlayStation 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joy-Con</span> Nintendo Switch game controller

Joy-Con are the primary game controllers for the Nintendo Switch video game console. They consist of two individual units, each containing an analog stick and an array of buttons. They can be used while attached to the main Nintendo Switch console unit, or detached and used wirelessly; when detached, a pair of Joy-Con can be used by a single player, or divided between two as individual controllers. The controllers have been criticized for the tendency of the analog sticks to register inputs when not being touched, which is commonly referred to as Joy-Con Drift.

<i>Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition</i> 2018 video game

Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition is a 2018 action role-playing game co-developed by XPEC Entertainment, SummerTimeStudio and publisher Square Enix. The title is an abridged version of the 2016 title Final Fantasy XV, remaking its storyline, graphics, and gameplay for mobile devices. Originally released for Android and iOS, it was later released for Windows 10 through the Microsoft Store, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The console versions were released under the title Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition HD. Split into ten chapters, the game follows protagonist Noctis Lucis Caelum and his party across the world of Eos, with players navigating semi-linear environments and fulfilling quests to advance the story. The first chapter is available for free, while subsequent chapters must be purchased.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RKS Design</span> Product design firm and innovation consultancy founded in 1980

RKS Design is a product design firm, development company, and innovation consultancy founded in 1980 by designer Ravi Sawhney. The company designs and develops consumer, medical, and industrial products, as well as user interfaces, and user experiences. As an industrial design and development firm, it is known for designing Teddy Ruxpin and RKS Guitars.

References

  1. ↑ "Gamevice Inc: Company Profile - Bloomberg". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  2. ↑ "Nintendo's Long History of Beating Patent Lawsuits". Kotaku UK. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  3. ↑ "Wikipad, Inc.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  4. ↑ "No Joy-Con for Gamevice as it Files Patent Suit Against Nintendo Over Switch Controller". Shacknews. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  5. ↑ "Minecraft Gamevice Bundle Available Now". CGMagazine. 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  6. ↑ Hollister, Sean (2013-02-07). "Wikipad survives, reincarnated as 7-inch gaming tablet for $249.99". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  7. ↑ "Wikipad Gaming Tablet Now in Production". Tom's Hardware. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  8. ↑ Maiberg, Emanuel (2014-03-15). "Wikipad price down from $250 to $200 — Do you want one?". GameSpot. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  9. ↑ "WikiPad ties up glasses-free 3D with game controls, all in a happy Android ICS package" . Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  10. ↑ Tweet (2012-05-02). "Gaikai partners with Wikipad tablet | GamesIndustry International". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  11. ↑ "Sony Computer Entertainment to Acquire Gaikai Inc., a Leading Interactive Cloud Gaming Company - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee". Sacbee. 2012-07-03. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  12. ↑ "Wikipad hit with a delay on launch day". SlashGear. 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  13. ↑ "Wikipad finally arrives, gaming tablet goes on sale June 11th for $249.99". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  14. ↑ "Wikipad gaming tablet resurrected, arriving June 11 in the US". SlashGear. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  15. 1 2 "Wikipad drops to $199 in the U.S., adds game control mapping tool". Android Central. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  16. ↑ "Wikipad adds OnLive to gaming tablet and Gamevice controller". SlashGear. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  17. ↑ McFerran, Damien (2013-09-15). "Wikipad review •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  18. ↑ Clark, Matt (4 September 2013). "Wikipad Gaming Tablet Review" . Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "WikiPad 7-inch review". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  20. ↑ Robert Nelson (3 January 2014). "Wikipad Gamevice controller teased for Android and Windows 8". SlashGear. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  21. 1 2 "Wikipad announces detachable mobile controller, Gamevice". Polygon. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  22. ↑ "Gamevice Mobile Gaming Device - New Mobile Gaming Category". RKS Design. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  23. ↑ "Gamevice Mobile Gaming Device - New Mobile Gaming Category". RKS Design. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  24. ↑ Gyko Games. Geeky Gamer: June Edition.
  25. ↑ "The Gamevice is an iPhone 7 controller that brings back the headphone jack". The Verge. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  26. ↑ "Gamevice Launches Special Minecraft Gaming Controller Bundle" . Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  27. ↑ "Nintendo faces lawsuit over the Switch's detachable controllers". Engadget. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
  28. ↑ "Gamevice, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., Ltd. et al". insight.rpxcorp.com. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
  29. ↑ "Nintendo faces Switch patent infringement investigation in the US". Engadget. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
  30. ↑ "Nintendo sued by peripheral maker alleging Switch design infringes patents". Polygon. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
  31. ↑ "USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Portable Gaming Console Systems with Attachable Handheld Controllers and Components Thereof | USITC". www.usitc.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-01.
  32. ↑ "Certain Portable Gaming Console Systems With Attachable Handheld Controllers and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Finding No Violation of Section 337; Termination of the Investigation". US Federal Register. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  33. ↑ Gamevice Tries Again to Block U.S. Imports of Nintendo Switch
  34. ↑ NOTICE OF INSTITUTION OF INVESTIGATION
  35. ↑ NOTICE OF COMMISSION DETERMINATION NOT TO REVIEW AN INITIAL DETERMINATION TERMINATING THE INVESTIGATION WITH RESPECT TO A PATENT CLAIM
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.