Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gizmondo at CES?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/gizmondo-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/gizmondo-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/gizmondo-at-ces/#commentsIndustry shows are interesting beasts to witness. Frequently, we get clues about the future of gaming simply by looking at who decides to show up. There is one big surprise listing at the 2007 CES.

According to the CES website, "It's all fun and games for AMD, Apex Digital, ATI, Dell, Logitech, Nvidia, Alienware, Microsoft, Sony and Gizmondo." This is a fairly odd sentiment given the company is now bankrupt and isn't making games anymore. Maybe the CES doesn't pay much attention to the news (or found it near-impossible to decipher) or Gizmondo pre-paid over a year ago and gets an empty booth.

Gizmondo doesn't seem to be dying a graceful death. Stories like the Bo Stefan Eriksson story keep cropping up. Maybe the empty booth at the 2007 CES will be the dénouement of this pathetic riches-to-rags story; or maybe a huge surprise with the return of Gizmondo.

[Thanks, Falafelkid]

JoystiqGizmondo at CES? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptcyBo Stefan ErikssonBoStefanErikssoncesCES-2007EnzoErickssonFerarriFerrari enzoFerrariEnzoGizmondogizmondo bankruptcyGizmondoBankruptcyhandheld gamingHandheldGamingStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonThu, 04 Jan 2007 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Gizmondo Halo "project" used cam-mouselook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/05/gizmondo-halo-project-used-cam-mouselook/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/05/gizmondo-halo-project-used-cam-mouselook/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/05/gizmondo-halo-project-used-cam-mouselook/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Back before "Fast" Stefan Eriksson was crashing cars and lying to police, he ran a little portable gaming company called Gizmondo. Their scam? Defraud investors by promising them a way into the very attractive, and lucrative, gaming market.

One of their most effective tools was to promise a Gizmondo-exclusive portable Halo title. Gizmondo did have an arrangement with Microsoft Game Studios to produce some titles, including the popular MechAssault series, but Halo was definitely not a part of that arrangement. A former-Gizmondo employee told GameSetWatch that the title had only "a storyline and basic game structure at the very earliest stage of concept" and that it was all done "with a wink and a nudge to extract more cash out of the investors." Isn't that sweet?

It isn't all bad though: the engineers at Gizmondo managed to get code running -- using one of id's open-source game engines -- enabling the Gizmondo's rear-mounted camera to control the "mouselook", allowing for a uniquely precise handheld FPS control scheme. Who knows what could have come of the Gizmondo if the execs weren't busy lining their pockets?

[Via /.]

JoystiqGizmondo Halo "project" used cam-mouselook originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 May 2006 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FraudGizmondoHaloStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonFri, 05 May 2006 22:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The speed of the Ferrari that split in half?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/the-speed-of-the-ferrari-that-split-in-half/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/the-speed-of-the-ferrari-that-split-in-half/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/the-speed-of-the-ferrari-that-split-in-half/#commentsFiled under: ,

Slate's Daniel Engber explains how it is we know that shady Gizmondo chieftain Stefan Ericksson's grand theft auto'd Ferrari Enzo was going precisely 162mph at the time of impact, ripping the car into two pieces. It would be difficult to condense the variables that go into this determination, but here goes:
  • Inventory where the pieces ended up (like the gun ... or Dietrich?)
  • Factor in the "coefficient of friction" of the surface
  • Apply some rudimentary physics
  • ?
  • Voilá!
Investigators also use the level of damage from the impact and, using data compiled by manufacturers and insurance companies (who else?), they can extrapolate the car's speed. Oh yeah, and there's a black box whose information isn't always reliable or applicable, so investigators usually use a combination of all three techniques to triangulate a correct answer. In this case: 162mph.

Question is, how much--in Gizmondos--does an investigation like this cost taxpayers? Twenty Gizmondos ... fifty?

JoystiqThe speed of the Ferrari that split in half? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FerrariFerrari EnzoFerrariEnzoGizmondoSlateStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonWed, 19 Apr 2006 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Gizmondo exec's bail set at $7.5M, considered flight risk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/ex-gizmondo-execs-bail-set-at-7-5m-considered-flight-risk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/ex-gizmondo-execs-bail-set-at-7-5m-considered-flight-risk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/18/ex-gizmondo-execs-bail-set-at-7-5m-considered-flight-risk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Stefan ErikssonLast week, former Gizmondo executive officer Stefan Eriksson was jailed and held without bail. According to Deputy DA Tamara Hall, bail has now been set at $7.5 million. In other words, Eriksson ain't goin' nowhere. A judge has scheduled a bail review hearing for April 24.

Eriksson has pleaded 'not guilty' to charges of embezzlement, grand theft, and possession of a gun by a felon. If convicted, he faces up to 14 years in prison. Eriksson also continues to dispute two misdemeanor counts of drunk driving associated with the now infamous Ferrari crash.

JoystiqEx-Gizmondo exec's bail set at $7.5M, considered flight risk originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GizmondoStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonTue, 18 Apr 2006 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Gizmondo exec arrested, faces grand theft charges]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/ex-gizmondo-exec-arrested-faces-grand-theft-charges/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/ex-gizmondo-exec-arrested-faces-grand-theft-charges/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/10/ex-gizmondo-exec-arrested-faces-grand-theft-charges/#commentsFiled under: , ,

GizmondoFormer Gizmondo executive officer Stefan Eriksson has been arrested on grand theft charges and is being held without bail. Authorities allege that Eriksson doesn't own the Ferrari that was totaled in February and two other exotic cars, including the Mercedes that was confiscated last month and a second Ferrari that has also been seized. Eriksson has been charged for failing to make payments on the three vehicles, worth a combined $3.5 million, which were imported from the UK. Immigration authorities are also investigating Eriksson's visa status.

In addition, Eriksson could face additional charges related to the February crash. While Eriksson maintains he was not the driver, authorities continue to investigate the incident since evidence points to Eriksson driving the vehicle while intoxicated. Eriksson is also being investigated for fraud, as it appears he purchased the exotic cars in question as part of a failed business venture. British banks claim that Eriksson purchased the cars by using loans. He made a minimum first payment, promising to resell the cars at a higher price and pay back the loans. According to the banks, Eriksson has not made any additional payments.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

JoystiqEx-Gizmondo exec arrested, faces grand theft charges originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GizmondoStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonMon, 10 Apr 2006 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Gizmondo exec's life continues to spiral into infamy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/gizmondo-execs-life-continues-to-spiral-into-infamy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/gizmondo-execs-life-continues-to-spiral-into-infamy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/gizmondo-execs-life-continues-to-spiral-into-infamy/#commentsFiled under: ,

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarenFormer Gizmondo executive officer Stefan Eriksson has lost his second exotic car, a $400,000 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. Last month, Eriksson's $1 million Ferrari Enzo was totaled in a shady crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. This past Sunday, Beverly Hills police confiscated his Mercedes after the driver, Eriksson's wife, was discovered to be operating the vehicle without a license. In addition, police determined that the car was not registered in the US and, upon contacting Scotland Yard, confirmed that it could be stolen - an unidentified financial institution claims ownership of the Mercedes.

Spyder Dobrofsky, a 13-year-old car enthusiast, captured the entirety of Sunday's incident on video.

[Thanks, SickNic]

JoystiqGizmondo exec's life continues to spiral into infamy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GizmondoStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonWed, 29 Mar 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Gizmondo Saga: Oh, what a tangled web...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/09/the-gizmondo-saga-oh-what-a-tangled-web/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/09/the-gizmondo-saga-oh-what-a-tangled-web/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/09/the-gizmondo-saga-oh-what-a-tangled-web/#commentsFiled under: ,


Been trying to follow the Gizmondo Ferrari story but can't seem to keep the facts straight? Well we don't personally see how a simple little story about an illegally imported excusive Italian sportscar, a video game exec for handheld has been Gizmondo, the Swedish Uppsala mafia, Homeland Security, a mysterious ammunition clip, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and a transportation service for old people run out of an auto repair shop is the least bit confusing at all, but some of you apparently required some visual aids.

Enter Game Revolution's fun-for-all-ages flow chart, the piece de resistance of their extensive Gizmondo coverage aptly called "Gizmondo Bizarro." It's only a matter of time before they turn this into a made-for-TV movie featuring Eric Roberts as Stefan Ericksson in what will be heralded as "a gripping performance." They'll call it Crash and Burn: The Real Life Story of the Gizmondo Saga.

See also:
Gizmondo exec's Ferrari, before and after
Former Gizmondo exec. involved in Ferrari Enzo crash

[Thanks, duke]

JoystiqThe Gizmondo Saga: Oh, what a tangled web... originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Mar 2006 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GizmondoStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonThu, 09 Mar 2006 22:30:00 EST