The Figment, a conceptual design by tinkerer Pedro Porras Luraschi, envisions a Nintendo Switch-like handheld device sporting a power-sipping E-Reader display, tailored for choose-your-own-adventure experiences.
Figment: E-Ink On a Handheld Form Factor
The prototype features a 7.5-inch E-Ink screen, complemented by four buttons functioning as a D-pad and three face buttons. Constructed from a blend of 3D-printed and laser-cut components, the Figment is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller.
Unlike its AMOLED counterparts, the handheld won’t run traditional emulators. Instead, it leverages pre-written narratives and AI to deliver text-based gameplay. An AI-driven game engine generates accompanying images and expands storylines beyond the original author’s intent, requiring an internet connection for its large language model. The developer aims to enable offline play of generated content in future iterations.
This marks the second E-Ink handheld to surface recently, following the Ink Console’s earlier crowdfunding endeavor, now under new management with updates pending.
Currently, a proof of concept, the Figment may see its hardware and game engine open-sourced if it garners sufficient interest. Updates and further details are available via the official website’s newsletter.
Started his freelancing adventure in 2018 and began doing freelance Audio Engineering work and then started freelance writing a few years later.
Currently he writes for Gadget Pilipinas and Grit.PH.
He is also a musician, foody, gamer, and PC enthusiast.
