Indrema
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics, Video game industry |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | John Gildred |
| Defunct | April 6, 2001 |
| Headquarters | Alameda, California , United States |
| Products | Indrema L600 Entertainment System |
Indrema Corporation, also operating under the name Indrema Entertainment Systems, was a consumer electronics enterprise established in 2000 by John Gildred and headquartered in Alameda, California. The company’s primary objective was to introduce the Indrema L600 Entertainment System, a Linux-powered gaming console tailored for independent software developers. Distinctively, the L600 embraced an open-source platform that encouraged unrestricted software creation, as exemplified by an early Quake demonstration showcased at LinuxWorld 2000.
Originally slated for release in late 2000, the console's launch was postponed to summer 2001 or beyond. Indrema attracted potential buyers with marketing campaigns that playfully highlighted differences from rival consoles. Despite these efforts, the firm was unable to obtain adequate funding to proceed with mass manufacturing of the L600 and ultimately shut down operations on April 6, 2001. Following this, founder Gildred recommended startups focus on completing their products before publicizing them, mentioning that Indrema required over $10 million to sustain its development.
L600
The L600 was conceived as a versatile entertainment device integrating gaming capabilities with CD/DVD playback, internet browsing, video recording, and MP3 file management. Priced at US$299, it promised a lineup of 30 titles at launch and was equipped with 64MB of RAM and a 10GB hard disk drive expandable up to 50GB. Game distribution utilized DVD-9 and CD-R formats, while the system supported HDTV output at resolutions reaching 1080i.
Built around an x86-based AMD Duron processor (initially clocked at 600 MHz and later upgraded to 750 MHz) paired with a GeForce 3 graphics processor capable of rendering between 120 and 180 million polygons per second, the L600 featured a "GPU Slide Bay" allowing users to upgrade the graphics card. In contrast to major competitors who charged development kits exceeding $10,000, Indrema aimed to provide affordable access for independent developers.
Despite these technical advantages, the L600 confronted intense competition from established consoles such as Sega’s Dreamcast, Sony’s PlayStation 2, Microsoft’s Xbox, and Nintendo’s GameCube—all offering similar or lower price points combined with stronger brand recognition and marketing resources. This competitive landscape raised concerns regarding the L600’s potential success in the marketplace.
See also
External links
- Indrema Informer – technical details and updates related to Indrema.
- Next Generation (magazine) Lifecycle 2 Vol 3 #4