Interview: AYANEO CEO Arthur Zhang on Making New Devices Remind Players of the Old Days

The handheld gaming device is booming these days, and manufacturer AYANEO certainly isn’t stopping that with its new Remake line of quirky, nostalgic form factors. We asked CEO Arthur Zhang about the plans for Remake and their plans for supporting all these new devices.

Graham Russell, Siliconera: Besides a fancy new logo, what makes the Remake devices different from what AYANEO has previously made? 

Arthur Zhang, AYANEO: The AYANEO REMAKE concept is not just a symbol and emblem. As loyal fans of retro game culture, starting from AYANEO 2021, we have injected tribute to classic retro elements into our products. From the initial “Retro Power” to later color schemes like “Classic Gray” and “Retro White,” we can say that AYANEO has brought a new wave of retro design to Windows handheld and Android handheld consoles.

Simply paying tribute to classics on a single product is definitely not our ultimate goal. With the continuous development of the AYANEO brand, we have the ability to develop more diverse products. Therefore, we have decided to launch the REMAKE retro concept product series, not only in terms of color schemes but also in the form or type of the products, to create more creative and nostalgic products.

Of course, the AYANEO REMAKE product series will still continue our relentless pursuit of elegant appearance, high-end quality, and comprehensive experience. We will adhere to the strengths of the AYANEO brand and products, not compromising in any aspect, and create more excellent products with distinct brand labels for users, providing an outstanding gaming experience different from existing products on the market.

AYANEO touts the inspirations for the Remake line proudly. And it’s quirkier stuff than we’re used to seeing! What made you want to make these devices? What makes you confident that these different form factors have enough of an audience?

Zhang: I am myself a fan who is deeply passionate about retro culture. I have collected almost all the classic handheld consoles, game consoles, and other digital products from history, so I am very familiar with and knowledgeable about these classic gaming devices. Being able to personally pay tribute to and recreate these classic products can be said to be a dream come true for me. I am delighted that I have built a team of like-minded individuals and can now work together tirelessly towards this goal.

I have also purchased some retro-style handheld consoles and gaming products available on the market, and through my experience, I believe there is still much room for improvement. We have also conducted relevant market research, gaining a clear understanding of the market conditions. Driven by ideals and passion, we came up with the idea and took action to create a series of retro products.

Based on our understanding of players and through in-depth market research, we realized that there are many players who are passionate about retro culture. They enjoy hunting for classic handheld consoles in the second-hand market, disassembling and modifying them themselves, and even designing and handcrafting their own products. They seem to never tire of this DIY approach to retro products.

However, classic products still have their limitations. No matter how much they are modified, it is difficult to achieve a modernized user experience. So, retro players are also eagerly waiting to see truly eye-catching retro products. This is the original intention behind our introduction of the REMAKE series of products. We hope to present retro-fused innovative products and experiences to these players who love retro culture.

Even for players who are not particularly fascinated by retro culture, I believe the unique design of the REMAKE series products can also attract the younger Z generation, as they often advocate for personalization and find the monotonous products on the market lacking fun. The retro series products created by AYANEO REMAKE concept will allow them to experience a distinct cultural nostalgia and user experience.

What sorts of software support will there be for features like secondary screens? What steps are you taking to make these more useful for both players and the hobbyist community?

Zhang: AYANEO FLIP DS is the first flip dual-screen Windows handheld with a 3.5″ multi-functional touchscreen secondary screen that serves as a native extension screen. Users can choose the display mode in the system settings, and the logic is similar to connecting two displays to a computer, allowing users to drag programs back and forth between the primary and secondary screens.

We will also develop convenient features for it through the AYASpace software, such as frequently used settings, quick settings, and FPS Thunder game overlay tools, which can be easily accessed by tapping on the secondary screen. For example, gamers can view real-time data such as FPS on the secondary screen while playing games. Additionally, we plan to add custom application functionality, allowing players to play games on the primary screen while watching guides or videos on the secondary screen.

Thanks to the Windows system and flagship processors, FLIP DS has powerful multitasking capabilities. Our official adaptations will make it as easy as possible for players to use and provide a satisfying gaming experience. At the same time, we welcome players to explore more uses for the software and share strategies in our community, all while enjoying the fun of the dual-screen Windows handheld.

The gaming handheld space has been exploding over the last few years, not just in terms of popularity and quality, but also in sheer number of devices. With the AYANEO Remake line bringing its own batch of different form factors and capabilities, there’s understandably a worry from players that any device they buy won’t have a lot of support from both the company and the community or will be rapidly obsolete. How do you balance giving people lots of options and upgrades with focusing on quality for each? What’s your ideal lifespan for a product before replacing it with an upgraded model?

Zhang: The handheld gaming industry is closely tied to the PC industry, with upstream vendors continuously driving hardware upgrades, while players’ needs are constantly growing. As a terminal vendor, we also need to keep up with industry and market changes, build a rich product line on the basis of in-depth understanding of player needs, and meet the needs of as many players as possible.

Players don’t have to worry about product quality since AYANEO has maintained stringent standards since the first product, with industry-leading materials selection and processing. From appearance design to texture quality, it is difficult for competitors to match.

As for subsequent maintenance, players don’t have to worry either. We have been continuously optimizing and iterating the AYASpace handheld device management software, supporting the entire AYANEO handheld series, including early-series products. As AYASpace is our own management software, we can provide richer adaptations for the entire product series after the main development is completed.

When AYASpace was established, the concept of multi-terminal collaboration was already in place, so we quickly expanded it to the Android and Mini PC, offering different features for different categories and models. Except for objective hardware differences, all AYANEO handheld devices and Mini PCs can enjoy the core functional experience of the AYASpace.

Therefore, whether players have bought a new model or hold an old one, they can rest assured that we will provide full-fledged software maintenance support. In addition, we are continuously improving our hardware after-sales service, such as previously offering AIR series users free speaker upgrades and AYANEO 2/GEEK users free three-copper-tube cooling module upgrades. Whatever problems players encounter, they can always provide feedback, and we will do everything possible to ensure player satisfaction.

What made you want to take this step into mini PCs with the Remake line? What do you believe AYANEO can offer to that space? 

Zhang: With the development of the gaming industry today, the demand for performance in games is increasing, and players’ demands for game scenes and experiences are also growing. This has raised higher requirements for the computing power and form of gaming devices. While building gaming handhelds, we are also expanding into broader areas to meet players’ diverse gaming experience needs.

In fact, when we entered the handheld market, we had the idea of developing Mini PCs. They have the portability comparable to handhelds, as well as powerful heat dissipation capabilities and performance release. They can effectively fill the gap between PCs or game consoles and handhelds, serving as intermediary devices with versatile applications. They can be used as personal computers, game consoles, software routers, NAS, and more, satisfying the DIY needs of many players.

After gaining sufficient experience and technical support, I believe the timing is ripe to enter the Mini PC field. Therefore, we have chosen to officially expand the Mini PC product line based on the REMAKE retro product series.

We will extend the technology and experience accumulated in the Windows gaming handheld domain to Mini PC products. For example, we will break through conventional retro design styles and incorporate personalized elements, allowing users to immerse themselves in a deeper retro cultural experience. We will also provide convenient management services to users on Mini PCs through continuous optimization of our self-developed AYASpace management software. These are the unique value of AYANEO Mini PCs and the essence of the Mini PC 2.0 era.

Of the remake line, the Pocket DMG almost seems like the safest, most tried-and-true inclusion, and yet you’re shrouding it in secrecy. Why the hush-hush approach to that one in particular?

Zhang: Pocket DMG is our first vertically-oriented retro handheld. I have set high standards for it. It should provide an excellent experience consistent with other AYANEO handhelds, such as superior design, screen, and controls compared to competitors. We have put in a lot of effort, and we are continuously working on its optimization. Therefore, we cannot reveal too much information at the moment.

Additionally, we have designed a surprise that most players would not expect for it. I want to announce this surprise at the appropriate time, and I believe it will astonish many people.

In terms of sheer quantity, this is a big jump for AYANEO’s product line. How are you handling that scale?

Zhang: As you mentioned, we have basically completed the architecture for the Windows gaming handhelds, Android gaming handhelds, and Mini PC product lines. The Windows gaming handhelds cover different screen sizes and forms and are relatively more complete product lines. In the future, we will continue to iterate based on the existing Windows gaming handheld product series, with the iteration speed depending more on market changes and our insight into user demands.

Regarding Android gaming handhelds, in addition to the already released Pocket AIR, we are further improving our lineup, such as the flagship product Pocket S with a focus on modern artistic design and the Pocket DMG based on the REMAKE concept. In the future, AYANEO Android gaming handhelds will provide players with more choices through richer configurations and product positioning.

As for Mini PCs, after AM01 and AM02, we are planning new products along with other accessory peripherals. We currently have a wide range of product choices. Our goal is to allow different players to find their desired products from us. This is the initial intention behind our multiple product series.

Regarding product maintenance, since the Windows gaming handhelds, Android gaming handhelds, and Mini PCs are all connected by the AYASpace management software, as I mentioned earlier, there is no need to worry about software maintenance and upgrades. AYASpace will continue to iterate and optimize, providing all AYANEO handheld players with comprehensive maintenance services. Similarly, hardware support can also be trusted, as our team possesses strong technical capabilities and after-sales service abilities.

In terms of research and development, after years of efforts, we have accumulated mature experience and technology, enabling us to quickly deploy cutting-edge technologies to all product lines. For example, shared design language and software features can be applied to Android gaming handhelds, while Windows gaming handhelds and Mini PCs are fundamentally X86 architecture products, sharing many similarities and allowing for cross-platform collaboration and technology sharing.

Overall, the accumulation of these experiences and technologies greatly facilitates our research and development and maintenance efforts. We have more energy to focus on perfecting product details. At the same time, we are continuously improving our after-sales system and enhancing service levels to provide players with an even better all-encompassing gaming experience.

Thanks to AYANEO CEO Arthur Zhang and the rest of the AYANEO team for taking the time to talk with us. Stay tuned to Siliconera for more about these devices, starting with hands-on looks at the Slide and AM01.