In the race to release an Android-based video game console, social game company PlayJam today revealed its own hand -- a home console that fits on a memory stick.
The GameStick, due for commercial release in April this year, slots directly into your TV's HDMI slot, and is controlled via a supplied Bluetooth controller. It contains 1GB of DDR3 memory and 8GB of Flash memory, with WiFi capabilities built in, and the latest build of Android, Jelly Bean.
The console can also be converted into a portable device, as the stick slots inside the Bluetooth controller and can then be used to link up to specific portable screens.
It's not necessary to use the supplied Bluetooth controller, however -- any Bluetooth controller that supports the Human Interface Device Profile (HID) will work with the GameStick, including the Greenthrottle Games controller.
A Kickstarter has been launched for the device with a $100,000 pledge target, and the console is currently in a closed beta phase of development, with a working prototype already built.
The GameStick's Kickstarter page notes that as of yet, around 200 Android titles currently work with the hardware, and the PlayJam team is in talks with over 250 developers.
Of course, this isn't the first Android OS games console on the block. Most notably the Ouya console (which was also launched with a Kickstarter) is due to release to the public in April -- the same month that the GameStick will supposedly be released.
At $79, the GameStick is slightly cheaper than the Ouya's $99 introductory price. GameStick also allows for paid games, whereas every title on the Ouya will be free-to-try.
I don't think I'd buy it except to maybe experiment with developing a couple of small games for it, but at first glance I'm feeling more positive about this than I did about the Ouya. And I like the paid game option - makes me feel that maybe it won't have to turn into a microtransactionfest.
k s: Well, I am anxiously waiting to see what percentage of Ouya's required free-to-play aspect will be trials/demos as compared to "Oh no! It looks like you're out of magic coins! Log into PayPal to buy more now and continue to play the game for free!!!"
I actually hope that does not happen and that this thing succeeds.
Well, my curiosity has been piqued. I am a backer of the Ouya and looking forward to the console when it comes in March/April. I like all these great products being developed around the Android operating system. It really shows the power of a powerful, free and open Operating System. Not sure if I will back this one, but would certainly consider it down the road.
If I want to lounge on the couch and play games for a couple of hours, I want something that's comfortable to play with, not something that is more designed to fit in my pocket.
Mobile devices are for pockets, they have touch screens, that is what they are for.
I really don't see myself walking around with this in my pockets and popping up at the 'nearest TV' and playing, I only have one TV, as do most other people. If you want to play at a friends house, they'lll usually have another controller anyway.
And we applaud them because the controller presented looks to be poorly designed. Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to assume that just because we made comments about that controller does not mean we didn't know you can use other controllers.
What Evan said. Yes you can use other controllers. Won't matter because the default one is so bad no one will buy this console. I mean, it is so OBVIOUSLY bad ... why not just design a good controller?
The fact that both this and the OUYA run on the same operating system is great for developers. It's this one operating system on many pieces of hardware thing that gave the "PC" such an advantage over systems like the Atari Jaguar / Amiga / Mac in the early 90s.
As long as neither these guys nor OUYA go nuts with exclusives and other such nonsense.
It's this same openness that might make this Valve "Steam Box" actually work - if they can just get publishers to bite.
These 2 platforms can hopefully work together. I.e. if GameStick is android-based, I don't see why you couldn't plug it into the Green Throttle adapter and now have both platforms in one. Not to mention the cost of this (and other Android USB computers already out) are much cheaper than buying an entire smartphone, just so you can use a small part of what it offers and hook it up to a tv.
Although, it's important to not underestimate Hardware Dependence as a feature with regards to game quality. Making a stable, reliable Android game is a huge pain relative to a traditional console, because you have to worry about backwards compatibility, varying memory constraints, variable CPU power/counts, as well as the myriad of hardware or OS specific intricacies (Some carriers attempt to force an atrocious Android OS version on their users that is slow, unintuitive, and limited in features).
Knowing your hardware specs are a single set, means you can provide a much more consistent and reliable experience, and drastically reduces both Dev and QA time and costs, which end up affecting the overall length and quality of the game.
A single set of specs would be nice, but neither Ouya nor Gamestick are nearly large enough to foster a big enough userbase.
So any Android developer will be mutli-platforming his games, regardless.
The nice thing about GreenThrottle is that it will provide a single storefront where hardcore games (those that require gamepads) can be sold accross multiple devices.
Ouya does allow paid games, they just have to offer some form of gameplay for free ie a demo! Can we get this fixed in the article as disinformation doesn't help anyone!
I don't care for the controller and the fact this is being developed by a "social" game company who I generally mistrust. I'm skeptical this will take off. It looks like they're not going after the traditional market like Ouya and so I'm unlikely to back this like I did Ouya.
I think their big plus is the pre-existing lineup of games, plus being able to use those to cross-promote the GameStick, but will those things overcome Ouya's first-mover advantage in the publicity and visibility stakes?
They probably need to get tens of thousands of backers to make the project really viable. Early days yet, so I'm going to reserve judgement until their kickstarter is over.
The stuff about needing kickstarter money though is bs. Kickstarter has definitely evolved into a marketing and pre-orders platform and away from its beginnings helping projects with artistic merit
You forgot the Otonx which launched about a month ago.
But the catch here is that it's just an Android stick. One of the complaints about the Ouya is that there are already similarly priced android sticks readily available on places like Amazon and ebay.
While the Ouya isn't vastly different, it's at least running on its own power supply in a case. It's not like they took an existing product and sold it.
I'm not saying that is the case here, but there were a couple of KSes that simply did that, the Pocket TV and the Equiso Smart TV
"One of the complaints about the Ouya is that there are already similarly priced android sticks readily available on places like Amazon and ebay."
Honestly, you are the first time I have ever read that complaint about the Ouya. The most common "tech already exists" complaint was that people could accomplish the same thing as the Ouya by connecting a phone or tablet to their TV and using a Bluetooth controller.
Their wording makes me really cautious. The way they say things it sounds like they're working directly with certain developers when in reality they've mainly scouted a bunch of games that are compatible with the controller.
Undercutting the Ouya's price just makes it feel like they're trying to ride the wave of success that the Ouya had.
And I'm not sure about this whole business with HID controllers. How common/inexpensive are they? Because if they cost as much as (if not more than) the console itself, there may be some backlash.
I actually hope that does not happen and that this thing succeeds.
If I want to lounge on the couch and play games for a couple of hours, I want something that's comfortable to play with, not something that is more designed to fit in my pocket.
Mobile devices are for pockets, they have touch screens, that is what they are for.
I really don't see myself walking around with this in my pockets and popping up at the 'nearest TV' and playing, I only have one TV, as do most other people. If you want to play at a friends house, they'lll usually have another controller anyway.
"GameStick works with any Bluetooth controller supporting HID including, we are delighted to say, the Greenthrottle Games controller..."
As long as neither these guys nor OUYA go nuts with exclusives and other such nonsense.
It's this same openness that might make this Valve "Steam Box" actually work - if they can just get publishers to bite.
Although, it's important to not underestimate Hardware Dependence as a feature with regards to game quality. Making a stable, reliable Android game is a huge pain relative to a traditional console, because you have to worry about backwards compatibility, varying memory constraints, variable CPU power/counts, as well as the myriad of hardware or OS specific intricacies (Some carriers attempt to force an atrocious Android OS version on their users that is slow, unintuitive, and limited in features).
Knowing your hardware specs are a single set, means you can provide a much more consistent and reliable experience, and drastically reduces both Dev and QA time and costs, which end up affecting the overall length and quality of the game.
A single set of specs would be nice, but neither Ouya nor Gamestick are nearly large enough to foster a big enough userbase.
So any Android developer will be mutli-platforming his games, regardless.
The nice thing about GreenThrottle is that it will provide a single storefront where hardcore games (those that require gamepads) can be sold accross multiple devices.
I don't care for the controller and the fact this is being developed by a "social" game company who I generally mistrust. I'm skeptical this will take off. It looks like they're not going after the traditional market like Ouya and so I'm unlikely to back this like I did Ouya.
They probably need to get tens of thousands of backers to make the project really viable. Early days yet, so I'm going to reserve judgement until their kickstarter is over.
The stuff about needing kickstarter money though is bs. Kickstarter has definitely evolved into a marketing and pre-orders platform and away from its beginnings helping projects with artistic merit
But the catch here is that it's just an Android stick. One of the complaints about the Ouya is that there are already similarly priced android sticks readily available on places like Amazon and ebay.
While the Ouya isn't vastly different, it's at least running on its own power supply in a case. It's not like they took an existing product and sold it.
I'm not saying that is the case here, but there were a couple of KSes that simply did that, the Pocket TV and the Equiso Smart TV
Honestly, you are the first time I have ever read that complaint about the Ouya. The most common "tech already exists" complaint was that people could accomplish the same thing as the Ouya by connecting a phone or tablet to their TV and using a Bluetooth controller.
Undercutting the Ouya's price just makes it feel like they're trying to ride the wave of success that the Ouya had.
And I'm not sure about this whole business with HID controllers. How common/inexpensive are they? Because if they cost as much as (if not more than) the console itself, there may be some backlash.
Pass.