The Transformer box of LAN parties

by Joystiq Staff { Aug 17th 2006 at 12:55PM }

A Joystiq tipster brings word of this uber LAN party suitcase that magically transforms into a nerd's delight. Packaged snugly in an all white cube (white is the new black, little fashionistas), the Ackibox is perfect for the gamer who likes to do all he can to seem somewhat normal in a crowd of suits and ties. We don't know how many times we've embarrassingly walked down the street trying not to drop all our Xbox gear.

Here are the features according to the Web site:

Protective carrying case provides a portable console gaming experience
Case quickly opens for easy access to the equipment
Hinged lid adjusts for an optimal viewing angle
Equipment is securely anchored within the case
Cables are neatly managed in a separate cord compartment
Integration of a modern game console with a flat panel television

Check out this snazzy video of the thing in action -- the music is worth it alone. Make sure you do, because this thing is the "portable solution for the modern gamer!" Mmmmm, I've always wanted to feel more modern. Thanks Ackibox!

[Thanks, Chris Shima]

Tags: Ackibox

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jc @ Aug 17th 2006 1:03PM

Cool, nice idea... even if it looks like a sewing machine.

I had to laugh at the poor guy near the end of the video when he stumbles trying to pick it up. I would hate to see that guy try to move my Peavey tube amp.

cringer8 @ Aug 17th 2006 1:04PM

Where's the "brick" hiding?

Moogle @ Aug 17th 2006 1:12PM

Looks pretty nifty. Guess he's just trying to cash out quickly by selling the patent. I know it's hard to get a manufacturing business up and running, but I think it would have been worth a shot. Now, do you think it should come with the LCD built in, or should you provide your own? Both?

It'd be even better if it had the kind of built-in retractable power cable that many vacuum cleaners have. Retractable network cable as well, of course.

Chris @ Aug 17th 2006 1:12PM

Patent pending?

On a BOX!!!!

Daniel @ Aug 17th 2006 1:13PM

I was wondering the same thing cringer8.

Also, is there room to fit memory cards into the 360 when it's in the case? Sure not a lot of people use them, but to the people who do...

Also, are the controllers held down by anything, or do they just kinda flop around inside?

This didn't impress me.

John Musco @ Aug 17th 2006 1:14PM

I don't plan online, but that was a pretty cool demo. It also helped that the guy actually had the video edited.

There's no doubt that his idea is going to get stolen by some 3rd party accessory maker.

Peter @ Aug 17th 2006 1:20PM

Shouldn't a "LAN party in a box" actually involve a LAN?

If consoles with multiple controllers are LAN parties, I've been LAN'ing since I was 7.

Felix Andrews @ Aug 17th 2006 1:21PM

LAN Party in a box... with no actual LAN involved. Well done there.

All Your Lost Socks @ Aug 17th 2006 1:34PM

Erm, not much... padding.. involved there. I was expecting some shaped foam or something, at least for the controllers. How does everything not flop around? Not terribly impressed with the design, but I think it's technically a great idea.
Just don't know where you stuff the brick and your LAN cable...

qbix @ Aug 17th 2006 1:38PM

His Geo Wars skills don't impress me. Oh, and neither does the box, but it has potential.

wolfy @ Aug 17th 2006 1:48PM

When the accessories start "flopping" around, what is going to protect the nifty LCD?

NorCal05 @ Aug 17th 2006 1:52PM

its got potential...but what protects the screen if there is something laying on top of the xbox when you close it? And as said earlier, what keeps the controllers from bouncing around? A little more work and this guy's got a product

Turken @ Aug 17th 2006 1:52PM

This thing is patent pending!?! I made myself a carrying case quite similar for my slim PS2 some time ago.

Granted, my case has some flaws which this thing addresses and does better, but still, I don't think its deserving of a patent. I'm sure there have been lots of electronics-in-flip-open-carrying-case products over the years.

Stephen Almada @ Aug 17th 2006 2:00PM

seems like a good try at somthine homeade, but imho after being a LAN party gamer, and moving that arround alot, i can see that this product could damage the LCD, xbox 360, or anyother hardware involved.
does not seem to have padding, and where is the power brick, and i didnt see any LAN cables comingo ut, just a shite cable, which could be the lan cable.

i rate it a 4 out of 10

good try, bulky design, too much money in a box thats not securely protected.

MusashiX2 @ Aug 17th 2006 2:12PM

that thing doesnt look like it can fit a ps3.

Jimmay @ Aug 17th 2006 2:23PM

Too bad that guy has no friends to play it with

whitefinger @ Aug 17th 2006 2:34PM

I smell a DS killer!

Ferron @ Aug 17th 2006 2:42PM

Idea's good, if you exclude the danger of breaking $400-$500 of equipment if you're not careful. Chances are the controlers and 360 have latching devices to hold them in place.

The power might be supplied by a battery pack(like a laptop's) that you simply connect to the wall via a power cord or something. Though, that'd have to be one badass battery to power a 360 AND LCD flat-pannel.... hope you stomp the competition quick in time to recharge! :P

Personally, the only games I play/would play for the 360 are Call of Duty, Dead Rising, Chrome Hounds, and w/e my friend brings over, and Forerunner(when they bring it out).

If they made something like that for let's say a mATX Micro-Tower Desktop, attached the right cords to attach to the back for easy setup, add a pull-out tray for your Keyboard/mouse, then added some padding since computers are *usually!* worth much more than 360's, and are just as frail, then you might have something worth getting. But rest assured, if it's brand name, you'll pay big bucks for that Sony, or Microsoft-imprinted name!!

All in all, a 5-10, with great future potential in both consol and mATX tower biz. Lucky us that's the beta, and not the final project! :D

JD @ Aug 17th 2006 3:30PM

My TurboGrafx came with its own case, for free. Well, except for that built-in monitor part.

It was nice to have. Not so much for traveling, but a convenient place to keep everything when not in use.

bill pullman @ Aug 17th 2006 6:17PM

doesn't take much to impress people these days, i suppose.

it's a freaking suitcase, that seems (pun intended) ill-suited for its proposed purpose.

i think i'm gonna put some crap in a box, and then patent it. because apparently, that's the going thing.

hohoho @ Aug 17th 2006 6:27PM

rather misleading vid? I don't see 360's power brick?

digitalMessiah @ Aug 17th 2006 6:35PM

Watch the lase seconds of the video when he does to pick it up. You can tell the heft of the thing from the way he lifts it. The case + display + console = heavy.

I am sure you could make it much more functional by getting a striped display with no bezel on it.

ogvor @ Aug 17th 2006 6:42PM

someone may have noted this already, but is their room for more games other than the one in the console? Maybe you can carry just one controller and some games, if not I guess it's jsut for single game LAN parties...

Ackibox @ Aug 17th 2006 9:33PM

Just some quick comments.

1. I have a bad back, so I did have to steady myself a bit...a production model would be lighter.
2. This is only a prototype at this point.
3. The bungee cords work quite well at holding down the 360, the controllers, and the games.
4. An option for screen protection is to have two padded panels that can hold your games in slots. These panels can fold over the screen before closing the case.
5. The 360 brick is actually behind the Ackibox in the video for a cleaner look, but I plan to build a separate cord compartment in the back to house all the cord. You can access them from a panel in the back and there will be ventilation because you can leave the panel opened while in use.
6. I would have bought something like this myself if I could have, but I did a lot of searching and it didn't exist before I made it for myself.
7. Thanks for the feedback.