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History
The history of the Game Wave began in 2003 when Richard Fast, a Toronto toy inventor, came up with the idea of launching a new video game console. Partnering with several Toronto businessmen, he founded ZapIT Games, a company dedicated to creating, manufacturing, and distributing a new system. Richard had no prior experience in the video game industry, but he did not see this as a problem. He was not trying to compete with the PlayStation 2, Xbox, or GameCube. Instead of targeting hardcore gamers, he wanted a system aimed at families and casual players. The original goal was to create a multimedia device that could play both DVDs and video games for around $50 CAD.
ZapIT raised its initial capital within the Canadian community, including investment from some of the original backers of Trivial Pursuit, another Canadian invention.
Because the company had no prior experience in video games, ZapIT reached out to Nytric Limited, an Ontario-based R&D firm with a strong reputation.
Designing a low-cost system presented many challenges. Nytric needed a design that could play both video games and DVDs while keeping costs down. Processors designed for Windows CE were evaluated first, but they proved too expensive and carried licensing and memory-management issues. The team then turned to microprocessors from STMicroelectronics. The problem was that the DVD-oriented chips they examined performed only one specific function—operating a DVD player. The designers needed more flexibility while still benefiting from the cost advantages of high-volume DVD player components.
Few vendors were willing to open their software for custom development, partly because most of their support came from outside North America. Licensing issues ultimately ruled out STMicroelectronics. The team then pursued support for the Mediamatics 8611. To obtain the necessary backing, Nytric wrote a PC version of a game to demonstrate how it would function on the real hardware. In March 2004 they traveled to National Semiconductor and made their pitch. Although it was unusual for a company to pitch a vendor in order to secure support, the presentation sealed the deal. The Mediamatics 8611 had limitations, but it offered the required functionality, and Nytric obtained the pricing and support it needed.
The Mediamatics chip required an Altera MAX II CPLD to interface with the DVD drive. One of the primary challenges was creating the necessary glue logic.
Gradually, ZapIT forged alliances with National Semiconductor, Panasonic, Marcovision, and Altera to bring the Game Wave Family Entertainment System to life.
By October 2004 Nytric had delivered the first prototypes. With hardware in hand, ZapIT began developing games, but progress was slow due to the company’s lack of experience. At this point ZapIT realized it needed more seasoned staff and brought on several key people with video game industry backgrounds, including Justin Kwok. Because the priority was an affordable system, Nytric settled on the Mediamatics 8611 processor as the core of the Game Wave. While the chip excelled at video playback, it lacked the power and features needed for games that could compete with contemporary hardware. Although competing with the PlayStation 2 had never been the goal, the limited processing power severely constrained game development. By the time this became apparent, the hardware design was already locked in and it was too late to change course. The developers had to make the best of what they had.
Release
In October 2005 the Game Wave was released at Toys “R” Us Canada and Mastermind Toys. Some units were also available for rental at selected Canadian Blockbuster locations. Jeff Hurst, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, secured U.S. distribution deals with Toys “R” Us USA and QVC. The system launched at $99.99 CAD—roughly double the original target price—but it was still an inexpensive multimedia center. With the ability to play both DVDs and games, the console appeared positioned for success.
However, with almost no marketing behind it, the Game Wave failed to become the hit ZapIT had hoped for. In 2006 Hari Venkatacharya, a well-respected Toronto businessman who had been consulting for Nytric Limited, convinced ZapIT that with his contacts he could turn the console around. He became CEO and began exploring new sales channels. One idea was to repurpose the system for restaurants and bars so customers could order food and play games while waiting. Although promising, this approach required additional engineering. ZapIT ultimately decided to reposition the console as a Christian video game system. The U.S. Bible Belt was seen as an untapped market, since many Christian families avoided mainstream video games because of violence. All of ZapIT’s titles were non-violent, making the platform a potential fit. The company repackaged the system with 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 1 and developed a new title, 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Bible Edition. ZapIT also signed a deal with VeggieTales, the popular Christian children’s franchise, to create a game for the system. Prospects once again looked bright.
Demise
Unfortunately, the Game Wave failed to gain traction in the Christian market. The VeggieTales game took a full year to complete, and during that time ZapIT was unable to market the console effectively to its target audience. In December 2007 VeggieTales: Veg-Out! Family Tournament was finally released. VeggieTales promoted the Game Wave on its website and even sold the console directly. ZapIT hoped the popular franchise would drive sales and even changed the pack-in title to the VeggieTales game. Despite the strength of the brand, the system still did not generate enough interest to become financially viable.
In a final attempt, ZapIT soft-relaunched the console to the general public. The company hired BzzAgent to generate buzz through multi-level marketing and distributed coupon codes that reduced the price to $79.99 CAD, but it was too little, too late. By 2009 ZapIT had invested $25 million in the Game Wave project and was out of cash. The company briefly explored mobile gaming before declaring bankruptcy. A few years later, Hari Venkatacharya was accused of a $3 million fraud involving multiple companies.
A Short New Life
After the bankruptcy, the remaining inventory ended up with Nytric Limited. It is unclear whether Nytric acquired the stock or already held it pending payment from ZapIT. With most North American sales channels exhausted, Nytric looked overseas. On June 25, 2008, Avanindra Utukuri (CEO of Nytric) formed Game Wave Media Entertainment India Private Limited with Tarun Kapoor and Chandan Singh Ranawat. The company hired Derek O’Brien, a well-known Indian television personality and host of the long-running Bournvita Quiz Contest, to create a game tailored for the Indian market. The resulting title, Quiz Konnect, was a localized variation of 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia.
By the time the Game Wave reached the Indian market (2010–2011), the technology was already outdated. Blu-ray had largely overtaken DVD, leaving little incentive for consumers to buy a DVD player with limited gaming capabilities. By 2014 Indian sales had ceased, marking the final end of the Game Wave.
Games
Only 13 games were officially released for the console. Most titles retailed for $24.99; VeggieTales: Veg-Out! Family Tournament sold for $26.99.
A 14th title, Quiz Konnect, was created for the Indian market. Although copies have been found, there is no confirmed evidence that it received a commercial release.
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| 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Bible Edition 2006 |
4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 1 2006 |
4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 2 2006 |
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| Click! 2007 |
Gemz 2007 |
Letter Zap! 2006 |
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| Lock 5 2006 |
Rewind 2007 |
Rewind 2005 2006 |
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| Rewind 2006 2006 |
Sudoku October 2007 |
Veggie Tales: Veg-Out! Family Tournament December 10, 2007 |
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| Zap 21 2006 |
Hardware & technical details
- Core processor: Mediamatics 8611
- Supporting logic: Altera MAX II CPLD
- Memory: 16 MB SRAM
- Video output: up to 1080i (also 480i/p, 720i/p)
- Controllers: infrared remotes (up to 6 simultaneous players; 4 included, purple & orange sold separately)
- Media: DVD
- Model variants: Z800A (standard) and Z800T (with integrated TV tuner)
Additional Information: Game Wave: Canada’s Game Console | The Art of Failure