Remember Choose Your Own Adventure books? Those things were like video games for kids whose parents wouldn’t buy them an NES. Well, the interactive reading experience is making a comeback, and this time, it’s got hardware. Enter Ink Console, a device that’s part e-reader, part game console, and all kinds of nerdy fun. It’s like if a Kindle and a Game Boy had a baby—and that baby really loved Zork.
Unlike a regular e-reader that just lets you turn pages while silently judging your life choices, Ink Console lets you play through stories, making key decisions that shape the narrative. It also comes with inventory management (because books are totally RPGs now) and a health status system, in case you’ve always wanted a novel to tell you that you’re about to die. And for those who think they can do better, there’s an easy-to-use development kit so you can create your own Gamebooks—no coding required.
Under the hood, this thing has a 7.5-inch e-ink screen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and an analog joystick for navigation. It even has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, proving it’s already more user-friendly than most modern smartphones. The 5000 mAh battery ensures you won’t run out of juice in the middle of an epic quest.
Launching soon on Crowd Supply, pricing remains a mystery—fitting for a device all about suspense and adventure. If you’ve ever wanted to game your way through a novel, this is your chance.
Images: Ink Console.
