×
Nintendo Switch meets Kindle: Gaming and reading unite
Written by
Published on
Join our daily newsletter for breaking news, product launches and deals, research breakdowns, and other industry-leading AI coverage
Join Now

The Figment represents an innovative convergence of gaming and e-reader technology, offering a fresh approach to interactive fiction. This conceptual handheld prototype combines Nintendo Switch-like controls with E-Ink display technology to create a specialized device for text-based adventure games, potentially opening a new niche in the increasingly diverse gaming handheld market. By leveraging AI to expand storytelling possibilities while maintaining the power efficiency of E-Ink, this concept addresses both creative and practical concerns in portable gaming.

The big picture: Tinkerer Pedro Porras Luraschi has developed the Figment, a conceptual gaming handheld that merges Nintendo Switch-inspired design with Kindle-like E-Ink display technology.

  • The prototype features a 7.5-inch E-Ink screen with a control layout that includes a four-button D-pad on one side and three face buttons on the other.
  • The device’s body combines 3D-printed and laser-cut components powered by an ESP32 microcontroller, prioritizing energy efficiency over processing power.

How it works: The Figment focuses exclusively on text-based adventure gaming rather than attempting to run modern emulators or graphically intensive games.

  • The device uses a combination of pre-written choose-your-own-adventure stories and AI technology to generate images matching the narratives and create text for paths not covered by original authors.
  • Since the low-power ESP32 chip cannot run a large language model locally, the system currently requires an internet connection, though the developer plans to enable offline play by saving generated content to the device.

Market context: The Figment represents the second E-Ink gaming handheld announced in recent months, suggesting potential emerging interest in this specialized category.

  • An earlier project called the Ink Console launched a short-lived crowdfunding campaign earlier this year, with the project recently changing hands to a new development team.
  • While currently just a proof of concept, the Figment’s creator may open-source both the hardware design and game engine if the project generates sufficient interest.
Here's what happens when you combine a Nintendo Switch and a Kindle

Recent News

AI builds architecture solutions from concept to construction

AI tools are giving architects intelligent collaborators that propose design solutions, handle technical tasks, and identify optimal materials while preserving human creative direction.

Push, pull, sniff: AI perception research advances beyond sight to touch and smell

AI systems struggle to understand sensory experiences like touch and smell because they lack physical bodies, though multimodal training is showing promise in bridging this comprehension gap.

Vibe coding shifts power dynamics in Silicon Valley

AI assistants now write most of the code for tech startups, shifting value from technical skills to creative vision and idea generation.