The handheld gaming device is booming these days, and manufacturer AYANEO certainly isn't stopping that with its new Remake line of quirky, nostalgic form factors. We asked CEO Arthur Zhang about the plans for Remake and their plans for supporting all these new devices.
Graham Russell, Siliconera: Besides a fancy new logo, what makes the Remake devices different from what AYANEO has previously made?
Arthur Zhang, AYANEO: The AYANEO REMAKE concept is not just a symbol and emblem. As loyal fans of retro game culture, starting from AYANEO 2021, we have injected tribute to classic retro elements into our products. From the initial “Retro Power” to later color schemes like “Classic Gray” and “Retro White,” we can say that AYANEO has brought a new wave of retro design to Windows handheld and Android handheld consoles.
Simply paying tribute to classics on a single product is definitely not our ultimate goal. With the continuous development of the AYANEO brand, we have the ability to develop more diverse products. Therefore, we have decided to launch the REMAKE retro concept product series, not only in terms of color schemes but also in the form or type of the products, to create more creative and nostalgic products.
Of course, the AYANEO REMAKE product series will still continue our relentless pursuit of elegant appearance, high-end quality, and comprehensive experience. We will adhere to the strengths of the AYANEO brand and products, not compromising in any aspect, and create more excellent products with distinct brand labels for users, providing an outstanding gaming experience different from existing products on the market.
AYANEO touts the inspirations for the Remake line proudly. And it’s quirkier stuff than we’re used to seeing! What made you want to make these devices? What makes you confident that these different form factors have enough of an audience?
Zhang: I am myself a fan who is deeply passionate about retro culture. I have collected almost all the classic handheld consoles, game consoles, and other digital products from history, so I am very familiar with and knowledgeable about these classic gaming devices. Being able to personally pay tribute to and recreate these classic products can be said to be a dream come true for me. I am delighted that I have built a team of like-minded individuals and can now work together tirelessly towards this goal.
I have also purchased some retro-style handheld consoles and gaming products available on the market, and through my experience, I believe there is still much room for improvement. We have also conducted relevant market research, gaining a clear understanding of the market conditions. Driven by ideals and passion, we came up with the idea and took action to create a series of retro products.
Based on our understanding of players and through in-depth market research, we realized that there are many players who are passionate about retro culture. They enjoy hunting for classic handheld consoles in the second-hand market, disassembling and modifying them themselves, and even designing and handcrafting their own products. They seem to never tire of this DIY approach to retro products.
However, classic products still have their limitations. No matter how much they are modified, it is difficult to achieve a modernized user experience. So, retro players are also eagerly waiting to see truly eye-catching retro products. This is the original intention behind our introduction of the REMAKE series of products. We hope to present retro-fused innovative products and experiences to these players who love retro culture.
Even for players who are not particularly fascinated by retro culture, I believe the unique design of the REMAKE series products can also attract the younger Z generation, as they often advocate for personalization and find the monotonous products on the market lacking fun. The retro series products created by AYANEO REMAKE concept will allow them to experience a distinct cultural nostalgia and user experience.
What sorts of software support will there be for features like secondary screens? What steps are you taking to make these more useful for both players and the hobbyist community?
Zhang: AYANEO FLIP DS is the first flip dual-screen Windows handheld with a 3.5" multi-functional touchscreen secondary screen that serves as a native extension screen. Users can choose the display mode in the system settings, and the logic is similar to connecting two displays to a computer, allowing users to drag programs back and forth between the primary and secondary screens.
We will also develop convenient features for it through the AYASpace software, such as frequently used settings, quick settings, and FPS Thunder game overlay tools, which can be easily accessed by tapping on the secondary screen. For example, gamers can view real-time data such as FPS on the secondary screen while playing games. Additionally, we plan to add custom application functionality, allowing players to play games on the primary screen while watching guides or videos on the secondary screen.
Thanks to the Windows system and flagship processors, FLIP DS has powerful multitasking capabilities. Our official adaptations will make it as easy as possible for players to use and provide a satisfying gaming experience. At the same time, we welcome players to explore more uses for the software and share strategies in our community, all while enjoying the fun of the dual-screen Windows handheld.
The gaming handheld space has been exploding over the last few years, not just in terms of popularity and quality, but also in sheer number of devices. With the AYANEO Remake line bringing its own batch of different form factors and capabilities, there’s understandably a worry from players that any device they buy won’t have a lot of support from both the company and the community or will be rapidly obsolete. How do you balance giving people lots of options and upgrades with focusing on quality for each? What’s your ideal lifespan for a product before replacing it with an upgraded model?
Zhang: The handheld gaming industry is closely tied to the PC industry, with upstream vendors continuously driving hardware upgrades, while players’ needs are constantly growing. As a terminal vendor, we also need to keep up with industry and market changes, build a rich product line on the basis of in-depth understanding of player needs, and meet the needs of as many players as possible.
Players don’t have to worry about product quality since AYANEO has maintained stringent standards since the first product, with industry-leading materials selection and processing. From appearance design to texture quality, it is difficult for competitors to match.