Amazon Fire TV is "absolutely not a game console"

The Amazon Fire TV was announced earlier today, but despite the device's optional controller and slate of available games, the Amazon's Kindle VP Pete Larsen says, "This is absolutely not a game console."

In a recent interview with Engadget following the Fire TV's unveiling, Larsen said, "This isn't trying to be a console, but we do think there's a great opportunity there in between a console and a smartphone for fun, quality games." The interviewer also offered up another quote from Larsen via Twitter writing, "This is absolutely not a game console."

The Amazon Kindle Fire TV has an optional $40 controller and Amazon has made big gaming investments like purchasing Killer Instinct developer Double Helix, but the Amazon Fire TV is not trying to go head-to-head with Sony, PlayStation, and Nintendo. As discussed during the system's reveal, their machine is aimed primarily at tablet and mobile gamers who may not already have standalone gaming console. The Fire TV's primary offering is streaming video, and their main competitors are Apple TV and Roku.

Regardless, the device has several games available right now like including new third-person shooter/tower defense hybrid called Sev Zero, Minecraft: Pocket Edition, Asphalt 8, and Deus Ex: The Fall. Just today Amazon Game Studios also announced that they'd brought on game industry veterans Kim Swift and Clint Hocking.

We'll have even more info on the system in the coming days as we try out the $100 system here in the GameSpot office.