GP2X Expecting 50,000 Sold By Christmas 2006

GP32/2x Distribution Ltd., official UK distribution branch of the Korean-made handheld, has announced that after already selling through 30,000 units over the past year, it expects to sell an additional 20,000 through Christmas 2006. The portable, backed by an open-source model and underlying Linux system which has seen the independent developer community releasing a wide range of free applications, ports and games for the system, also functions as a media and mp3 player, e-book reader, and photo editor. The company also notes a break out board allows the unit to be used as a mini Linux computer. GP32/2x Distribution Ltd. has also announced that the GP2X will see its first 'big budget commercial game' in October 2006 in the form of the GTA-esque 'crime caper' Payback, and that the company plans to unveil a new 275mhz model to compete with its current 240mhz model. "This really shows the power of the open source model, with a budget of orange peel and sticky tape we have managed to sell just over 30,000 units almost entirely on word of mouth alone," explained Craig Rothwell, Director, GP32/2x Distribution Ltd. "The GP and Linux community have really got behind this console as the underdog and have been porting games and apps so fast smoke must be rising from their keyboards. With over 500 releases so far, it's an awesome achievement and we are looking to crack the 50,000 unit sales mark by Christmas."