Android Console In The Works? Amazon Acquires Game Studio Double Helix

Seattle, Wash.-based e-commerce site Amazon has acquired game studio Double Helix. Polygon confirmed the acquisition on Feb. 5 after rumors first surfaced on TechCrunch.

"Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers,” a representative at Amazon told Polygon.

Irvine, Calif.-based Double Helix Games was founded in 2007 after the merging of Foundation 9 Studios, The Collective and Shiny Entertainment. Double Helix is known for 2013’s fighting game “Killer Instinct,” 2008’s survival horror “Silent Hill: Homecoming” and 2012’s “Battleship.”

Rumors of Amazon creating an Android gaming console also surfaced at the end of January. The alleged console will run the Android operating system and compete directly with Sony’s PS4, Microsoft’s Xbox One and Nintendo’s Wii U. The console will also allow users to stream and download games, movies, TV shows and music.

“The company already has a significant digital entertainment business covering the sale, rental and delivery of music, film, TV and games, as well as hardware success with the Kindle and Kindle Fire HD,” VG24/7 said on Jan. 28. “The new console is designed as a central point in the living room to group all of those services together and make use of the home TV screen.”

The reported console will be priced at less than $300 in the U.S. - $100 below the PlayStation 4 and $200 less than the Xbox One. “The difference for Amazon is that it already has an active customer base of 200 million people along with their payment details, 10 million of which are said to subscribe to the $79-a-month Prime Service. Some analysts expect Prime numbers to grow at 5 million per year,” pointed out VG24/7. This means that a reasonably-priced console could easily appeal to a percentage of Amazon’s loyal consumers – users who are already paying for the luxury of convenience.

Would you be interested in an Amazon Android console?

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