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HCL to enter Gaming Zone

Delhi-based hardware, services and systems integration major HCL Infosystems Ltd plans to foray into the gaming market by introducing its own series of gaming devices.

Christened HCL ME, these devices will be handheld and easy to use. These will be targeted at the entry-level young users in the age group of four-15 years.

The new gaming consoles will be available at HCL ME exclusive stores besides HCL's national retail network, beginning this week.

"The gaming market has huge potential to grow and still a large part remains untapped. Our products are going to be very different. We are not looking at the niche gaming audience. We are trying to cater to the mass gaming market," a company official told MAIL TODAY. Apart from the regular gaming, these gaming devices will have some educational features as well like alphabets and word games.

"As we are targeting young users this interactive gaming experience has been backed by interactive content to sharpen the analytical skills and intelligence quotient," said the HCL spokesperson.

George Paul, executive vicepresident, HCL Infosystems, said, "With gaming gaining popularity amongst the children and teenagers, we think affordable gaming devices backed by rich educative content can be the answer to engage them with games that tests and challenges their analytical abilities." The HCL ME handheld gaming devices will be available in the range of Rs 799 to Rs 4,990. Some of these models will be equipped with multi-media options like five mega pixel camera, video recording, in- built speakers, plug-in devices and FM radio.

According to Nasscom Research, the gaming market in India is valued at Rs 2,600 crore with a market projection of fiveyear compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 78 per cent. At present, the handheld Nintendo's DS portable player and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld game console are leading players. The gaming console segment is largely dominated by Chinese companies.

However the firm says unlike Sony's PSPs, the price is affordable besides being easier to use.

"The games are primarily going to be extremely educative, interactive and in a true sense a brain trainer. All the popular games like Sudoku, Crosswords, Pacman and a variety of other analytical games will be integrated. Each set will have 30- 100 games depending on the model," the company spokesperson said.

The gaming consoles will be available at HCL ME Exclusive stores besides the company's national retail network, beginning next week.