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GameStick gets GameStop-backing, pre-loaded titles
OUYA may have nabbed the spotlight in the Android-based, Kickstarter-supported console wars, but the diminutive GameStick's got some heat behind it, too. The device's makers are putting on a bit of a show at this year's GDC, announcing a slew of news around the forthcoming product. At the top of the list are a number of backers, including, most prominently, the similarly-named GameStop, which clearly sees a viable future in such products, as the world continues to move away from brick-and-mortar outlets. Shadowgun and Smash Cops were also revealed as pre-installed titles for the console, "ensuring GameStick users have free, quality content ready to go out of the box."
Don't call it OUYA: hands-on with PlayJam's GameStick (video)
The GameStick is the second of two Kickstarter-backed Android-powered game consoles announced in the past 12 months, and its arguably the less visible of the two (the other being OUYA, of course). It's a bit different than the OUYA as well, in terms of both form factor and specs: the GameStick is roughly the size of a USB thumb drive and runs a dual-core Amlogic processor, rather than the Tegra 3 found in the OUYA. Similar to the OUYA, the GameStick also comes with a proprietary wireless controller -- the standard four button layout, two analog sticks, two shoulder buttons, and a d-pad make up its inputs -- though the GameStick's controller is actually the bulk of the hardware. The GameStick itself actually nestles into the back of the controller, making the whole bundle rather portable. But perhaps you already know all of this? We have been hearing about the GameStick for some time now. Should that be the case, you'll wanna know how the thing actually feels, and we can deliver that just beyond the break, as we've just put GameStick and its controller through the paces.%Gallery-184155%
GameStick dev unit found at GDC 2013, we go eyes-on
GameStick is here ... er, sort of. The development units are at least here at GDC 2013, quietly hanging out behind a nondescript computer monitor running a few Android games paired with a Nyko wireless controller. That's right, it wasn't running with the proprietary GameStick controller, but a third-party wireless -- we'll go hands-on with the company's internally built controller later this evening, and thusly we didn't want to offer a half-impression with the third-party units available on the show floor. Stay tuned for more, and take a gander at the gallery below for now.%Gallery-184131%
GameStick strikes up XBMC partnership, will add the full Media Center experience
Playjam, the team behind GameStick, has announced that a new deal with tech company Pivos will ensure that the previously-mentioned XBMC will arrive fully-formed on its Kickstarter console. All those Media Center features will sidle up alongside your games selection and while the company maintains that gaming is still the focus of its device, given the competition, we'd say this announcement makes a whole lot of sense.
GameStick shipping dev units this month, marks progress on controller, SDK and UI
Things seem to be rolling along nicely for Kickstarter success story, GameStick. The makers of the compact Android console will be shipping a dev unit later this month, measuring slightly larger than the final version, thanks in part to a Type A USB slot for mousing / keyboarding. The company also used its Kickstarter newsletter to note that the controller is "nearing readiness," despite almost giving "the lead mechanical engineer a heart attack," due to its size. GameStick will be releasing an SDK later this week and will be announcing some unnamed partnerships soon (subtly hinting that it will be at ARM's GDC booth this month). The UI, meanwhile, is pretty much done, and the retail excitement is quite high, according to the company. Hopefully this all means that we'll be wrapping our hands around the console soon.
GameStick pre-orders begin for console and accessories
PlayJam has initiated pre-orders for its ultra-portable GameStick Android console over on its official website. The main $79.00 bundle includes the dongle-like console itself, as well as the controller it's stored inside of when not plugged into a television's HDMI port. The GameStick's wireless charging dock/port hub and protective case are both up for pre-order as well, priced at $24.99 and $9.99, respectively.Delivery is expected to begin once an initial run of devices have been shipped to Kickstarter supporters, which is scheduled to take place during April. Currently, the website lists April 30 as the "available on" date for all three items.
Gamestick now available for preorder: stake your claim for $79
The previously Kickstarter-funded games console has launched its pre-order page, powered by Amazon. You'll have to stump up the same $79 premium which nets you the same GameStick that those crowd-funders are getting. Pre-orders will ship once those early orders are fulfilled. However, anyone ponying up today can expect theirs to arrive a good few months before the global retail launch later this year. You also order those dock and case peripherals, priced up at $25 and $10, respectively. Pick any color (as long as it's white) at the source.
GameStick wraps up successful Kickstarter run with nearly $650K
With a sum totaling around six times what the folks at PlayJam initially requested, the GameStick Kickstarter campaign can certainly be called a success. The project ended today just shy of $650K ($647,658 to be precise), resulting in its successful funding. Now all the folks at PlayJam have to do is deliver on the promise of their Kickstarter: produce and ship around 5,500 GameStick's by April (not to mention the Dock, and various special edition versions of the GameStick itself). A tall order, but one no doubt assisted by an infusion of cash six times what PlayJam expected to be working with. The model seen above is the final controller design, remodeled based on feedback from the backers that brought GameStick to life. It's the final model backers will see when their unit arrives this April.
GameStick Kickstarter closes at just under $650K
The Kickstarter for PlayJam's dongle-sized GameStick Android console thundered over the finish line with a final total of $647,658, nearly 6 and a half times more than the original goal. With three days to go the fundraiser cleared the $500K mark, but a surge saw it soon pass its last stretch goal of $560K. That means the miniature console, which can plug directly into a TV's HDMI port, will be available in four colors including white, black, red, and one voted for by its Facebook community.PlayJam unveiled the final look of the GameStick controller (into which the console plugs in) earlier this week, the device undergoing ergonomic-minded revisions in light of funder feedback. Playjam's production plan is to get a first commercial run going by next month before shipping the devices to all customers in April.
GameStick reveals final backer-aided design, dock for peripherals
Now that the Android-powered game console on a stick, GameStick, has been fully funded (five times over), another piece of the puzzle is falling into place: its final design. Taking suggestions from the Kickstarter backers that supported the device in the first place, the final design of the controller reflects, "a more ergonomic form with extended grips and a tapered shape to better sit in the hand." The HDMI stick that previous popped out from the bottom of the controller now rests around back -- it's now got a MicroSD slot built in as well, allowing up to 32GB of expandable memory (bringing the maximum of expandable memory up to 104GB -- that's a lot of Android games). A docking station is also in the cards, which enables a whole mess of peripherals via USB, HDMI, and ethernet ports -- it's powered separately, so you can charge your GameStick controller without having to turn on the console. You can also charge your controller on it wirelessly, according to PlayJam. All said, it's got one ethernet port, a full size SD card reader, three USB ports, and three HDMI ports (one out, two in), and comes as part of an option $109 bundle on the Kickstarter page. As for its sale price separately from the GameStick, PlayJam's staying mum for now.
GameStick controller final design unveiled, docking station detailed
PlayJam revealed the sleek-looking final design of the GameStick controller today. The company also grounded out some details on its docking station. The controller, which incorporates the dongle-like GameStick android console and plugs into the TV's HDMI port, underwent a few changes based on feedback from Kickstarter backers.In addition to the more curvy design, the HDMI stick now sits at the back of the controller. The stick itself gets an expandable 32GB MicroSD card slot, which PlayJam says was added "in response to overwhelming demand." With the Kickstarter campaign sitting at over five times the $100,000 goal with just under three days to go, we can believe the demand.As for the docking station, as you'd expect it charges up the controller for wireless use; Playjam tells us the station connects to the controller via electromagnetic coils. What's clever is that it also supports peripheral hardware such as mice, keyboards, cameras, and microphones for use with GameStick. It also has a slot for a 64GB memory card, taking the GameStick's total potential capacity up to 104GB. %Gallery-177495%
GameStick Kickstarter adds new indie dev-targeted tier, trades $250 for six months of 100% revenue (update)
The PlayJam folks are taking another cue from the Android-powered Ouya with their own GameStick, today adding a dev-focused $250 tier to the already successful Kickstarter campaign. The twist with GameStick's dev tier is its aimed at indies, and it offers a six month window of 100 percent revenue on any games released before July 2013 (in addition to a GameStick bundle, of course). The dev version costs quite a bit more than the usual $79 asking price, but guaranteeing full revenue near launch may be a worthy tradeoff for developers looking to cash-in on early adopters (the industry standard is a 70 / 30 split, with game devs taking the larger share). Sadly, you won't get the unit any earlier than the general public; PlayJam's putting an April window on launch. The deal's only available to 250 developers -- or at least the first 250 people to buy in -- so interested parties may want to act quickly. Update: Kickstarter tell us that today's new tier falls outside of its guidelines, specifically, "Prohibited content: 'Financial incentives (ownership, share of profits, repayment/loans, etc)'" As a result, the PlayJam team was asked to remove the tier, but the page remains unaltered. We've reached out to PlayJam for comment. Update 2: The folks at GameStick have chimed in with their side of the story, which we've included after the break.
GameStick pulled from Kickstarter due to IP dispute (update: it's back!)
The Android-based gaming console GameStick was just pulled from Kickstarter, according to an email we just received from Kickstarter support. Its project page is no longer accessible, and the only information given in our support email says it was removed due to, "an intellectual property dispute." As a result, the project page was taken down ("removed from public view," says the email), and it may end up getting canned altogether. "If we are not able to re-post it within 30 days, we will cancel the project," says the email. Yikes! Should that occur, all pledges for the project will expire (Kickstarter doesn't charge pledges until a project is approved), and the project, "will be permanently unavailable." We're following up with Playjam, the project's creator, for more and will let you know if we hear back. Update: PlayJam's taken to Facebook to respond, saying, "This IP issue has NOTHING to do with our design or product! It's a small snag in one of our promo videos demonstrating a game that was exposed without clearance. An oversight and one that we're editing in the video now. We'll get back up and running hopefully as soon as possible. Thanks, everyone, for your support and understanding!" Update 2: The Kickstarter is back up! Looks like that IP dispute was little more than a fleeting issue. "We're writing to inform you that the DMCA process for GameStick: The Most Portable TV Games Console Ever Created is complete. The project is now available," an email from Kickstarter support reads.
GameStick stretch goals include MicroSD support
GameStick, the stick that plays games, already hit its Kickstarter goal of $100,000. But just raising the amount of money you asked for is no fun, so the company behind the tiny Android console has revealed some stretch goals, mostly cosmetic, but also functional at higher tiers.At $320,000, buyers will have the option to purchase the GameStick in black or white. At $450,000, the device will also be produced in red, along with a fourth color chosen by a Facebook poll. Most importantly, a total of $560,000 or higher will add a MicroSD slot to the console, for expandable memory.To help bring in these extra pledges, a new option has been added. For $89, you can get a GameStick with a new clear carrying case.
GameStick gets expandable microSD ... if its Kickstarter campaign tops $560K
GameStick -- that other Kickstarter-funded Android game console -- may get microSD support added ... that is, if it's Kickstarter campaign tops $560,000. The company behind GameStick, PlayJam, added a slew of "reach" goals to its fundraising campaign this morning, including black/white color options for the stick at $320K and yet another color choice (chosen by the device's Facebook page fans) at $450K. Currently, the campaign's passed its initial goal of $100K, but PlayJam thinks it's got good odds at hitting these new heights. And considering that there's another 22 days to go, we're pretty confident in that possibility as well.
GameStick topples Kickstarter goal in 30 hours, adds XBMC and DLNA post-launch
Now that PlayJam's Kickstarter project, "GameStick," is funded -- reaching and crossing its $100K goal in around 30 hours with over 1,000 backers -- the team's turning to other news, like adding XBMC and DLNA support. That support will arrive via an "optional firmware update in September," says PlayJam CMO Anthony Johnson. That other Android-based, Kickstarter-funded game console, the Ouya, also added XBMC functionality to the console's feature list late last summer, though it's unclear if GameStick's support includes the Android app XBMC is porting to Ouya. But just because the GameStick is funded doesn't mean you can't still pledge dough for one yourself. The $70 tier is sold out, but backing the project for $79 or more will still get you one of the first GameSticks on the market. The project is slated to launch this April.
GameStick Android console is the size of a USB stick
PlayJam, a company that currently operates a social/casual games network for smart/connected TVs called The PlayJam Network, has spent the last 12 months developing "GameStick," a dongle-sized Android gaming console that plugs directly into a television's HDMI port. The device currently exists in several different functional prototype forms, but bringing it to market will require the aid of an ongoing Kickstarter campaign, which has recently surpassed its fundraising goal of $100,000.The GameStick itself runs on Android (Jelly Bean, specifically), outputs at 1080p and will cost $79 when it officially launches in April. The console is powered by an Amlogic 8726-MX mobile processor generally used in Chinese Android tablets, and is supported by one gig of DDR3 RAM and eight gigs of Flash storage.Games are obtained wirelessly through the Internet, naturally, and PlayJam is said to be working with "more than 250 developers" to get titles made for and ported to the system. Beyond that, designers interested in developing for the thing can pledge $500 for access to a prototype unit and the system's SDK one month before the console's commercial debut.
GameStick brings a new Android game console to your TV, fits inside its own controller (video)
OUYA likely won't be the only Android-based game console in town this spring. PlayJam is going beyond its smart TV roots to build the GameStick, a TV-based system that fits into a shell not much bigger than a typical flash drive -- it's small enough that the finished version should stow inside its own Bluetooth gamepad and draw power from the HDMI port, like Roku's Streaming Stick. The Jelly Bean system's dual-core Amlogic processor isn't as powerful as the Tegra 3 in the OUYA, but it should also lead to a slightly more tempting $79 price. PlayJam's remaining challenge is the familiar one of reaching a crowdfunding target: the company says it needs $100,000 to go through its last development hurdles and ship the production GameStick in April. If the firm makes its goal, however, the low-cost gaming world will be delightfully crowded this year.
Joystiq hands-on: Mad Catz Arcade GameStick (Xbox 360)
After accidentally bursting on the scene last year following an EB Games website error, the Mad Catz Arcade GameStick is the peripheral that looked to bring a more authentic (and less clunky) experience to much of the Xbox Live Arcade line-up. The game stick delivers that authentic experience, along with a few included games. The only problem gamers may have is remembering what it's like to use a joystick.The controller retails at $59.99, ten dollars more than than we were originally quoted in August, and includes three Xbox Live Arcade games (Frogger, Astro Pop and Time Pilot), downloadable using the included codes. The USB wired controller can also be used with Windows XP.The controller works perfectly with games like Frogger and Pac-Man. If you play these classic games often enough, this controller will solve a lot of complaints surrounding the use of the normal Xbox 360 controller. The joystick also has a button on top of the stick, which functions as the A button. If we could think of a single flight sim game off the top of our heads for the 360, that button would come in handy as a replacement trigger button. The Mad Catz game stick is great for the classics and, with some creative thinking, could also be used with newer games.
