8BitKid

Why I Backed the GameStick Console

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:34:00 -0700

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor)

I just backed the GameStick, a new Kickstarter project to create an Android-based console out of a device that can be housed in the controller (which works over Bluetooth) and is perfect for portable gaming.

While I’m a big fan and backer of OUYA, I think that it is important to support efforts like this that help create alternative ecosystems in gaming and help shake up the console world. Also, there are a couple of compelling unique differences:

The console is tiny: the GameStick’s combination of a Bluetooth controller and the ability to power the console from the HDMI port on certain televisions (and USB on the rest) makes this a great option for gaming on the big screen on the go. I travel a fair bit, and the idea of being able to bring a console with me to hotel rooms is definitely appealing.
There is an established platform: PlayJam is already a provider of gaming-as-a-service to Smart TV providers, so they already have an SDK in place. This will give the platform a level of maturity and ensure that developers get support from the onset.
Developers already know them: since PlayJam has a history of working with developers to help bring their games to other TV platforms, they should have the skills necessary to help get developers to embrace the GameStick.

Ultimately, I think that we’re at an amazing moment of disruptive innovation in the games space where cheap consoles don’t have to be plug-and-play game systems or Wii knock-offs you’d buy at a pharmacy. As hardware costs continue to diminish, we’re not at the perfect time to really create a new gaming environment. This creates new distribution opportunities for smaller devs and cheaper high-quality console experiences for gamers. While AirPlay presents an interesting opportunity for playing handheld games on the big screen, it unfortunately hasn’t really caught on. Ultimately, Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft will have to decide whether bigger and better is really what the players want. Considering that the GameStick reached its $100,000 target on the 2nd day of the campaign, it seems like players are speaking with their dollars. THe question now is whether the traditional gaming industry is listening.

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief) Here is the first single from...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0700

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief)

Here is the first single from Anamanaguchi’s upcoming album, Endless Fantasy called “Meow”. If their catchy sound sounds familiar, it is because they did the soundtrack for the excellent Scott Pilgrim game. You can buy the song here.

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor) I’ve been supporting this...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:01:00 -0700

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor)

I’ve been supporting this project for a long time, since I first heard about it on the Obscure Handhelds blog. This is an amazing piece of hardware that should appeal to every homebrew and emulator fan who has enjoyed systems like the CAANOO and Dingoo.

Please support the Kickstarter and help this great community project reach a larger audience. Also, there is already a great group of gamers discussing the device in the forums.

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor) DuckTales Remastered —...

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:43:00 -0700

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor)

DuckTales Remastered — Reveal Trailer (by CapcomUnityVideos)

Nexon launching free-to-play Ghost in the Shell FPS in first half of 2014 | Joystiq

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:23:00 -0700

Nexon launching free-to-play Ghost in the Shell FPS in first half of 2014 | Joystiq:

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief)

I’m really worried about this…

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor) Pretty adorable product mashup....

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:55:00 -0800

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor)

Pretty adorable product mashup. (via Street Fighter X Sanrio | Mad Catz)

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor) Morning Star is a new FPS from...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:00:00 -0800

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor)

Morning Star is a new FPS from one of the creators of Halo coming to iOS this spring. They’re promising to re-imagine the genre for touch, and I’m certainly interested to see what they come up with.

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief) Pokemon X and Y was just...

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:53:00 -0800

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief)

Pokemon X and Y was just announced for the Nintendo 3DS. I’m not sure how I feel about the series entering the third dimension.

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief) This Kickstarter is definitely...

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 17:59:00 -0800

- by Max Engel (Editor-in-Chief)

This Kickstarter is definitely worth supporting, and needs to raise $20,000 in its last 24 hours. Please go support the project to give these fantastic indie games (like Johann Sebastain Joust) a proper release.

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor) These Star Wars trilogy posters...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:34:00 -0800

- by Alyssa Walker (News Editor)

These Star Wars trilogy posters are fantastic.

This is a great Nanoblock toy digital camera. If you can speak...

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:22:36 -0800

This is a great Nanoblock toy digital camera. If you can speak Japanese, you can get more info here. I don’t know if this will be coming out in the US, but I certainly hope so.

Here’s the latest trailer for the next installment of...

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:00:30 -0700

Here’s the latest trailer for the next installment of “Rebuild of Evangelion” series called “Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo”. The movie comes out on November 17th in Japan.

VIZ is releasing a new collector’s edition box set of...

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:00:53 -0700

VIZ is releasing a new collector’s edition box set of Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley the Wind. The set will be available on Tuesday, November 6th, and you can enter a sweepstakes to win a copy here.

Here’s a great video Disney made to celebrate their...

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:27:14 -0700

Here’s a great video Disney made to celebrate their purchase of Lucas Films.

Pretty cool DIY console project. (via NES in a Cartridge)

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:07:15 -0700

Pretty cool DIY console project. (via NES in a Cartridge)

A new Lego Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line was announced at...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:54:00 -0700

A new Lego Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line was announced at New York Comic-Con.

Nintendo toaster (via Juxtapoz Magazine)

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 12:47:49 -0700

Nintendo toaster (via Juxtapoz Magazine)

An Adventure Time themed game jam is happening in Austin from...

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:53:45 -0700

An Adventure Time themed game jam is happening in Austin from Sept. 14th - 16th. (via Gamemaking Frenzy)

Mercenary Kings is a new Kickstarter project from the creators...

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 09:58:30 -0700

Mercenary Kings is a new Kickstarter project from the creators of the excellent Scott Pilgrim game. The developer, Tribute Games, just announced that it will be coming to OUYA in addition to a digital download. The first tier is only $15, so this seems like a Kickstarter project definitely worth backing. You can get involved here.

The GCW is a homebrew handheld console targeting fans of...

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:57:33 -0700

The GCW is a homebrew handheld console targeting fans of emulation and retro gaming. There is a vibrant scene of people dedicated to these niche portables devices; consoles like the Dingoo and CAANOO.

This upcoming entrant in this market is shaping up to be a promising and high-powered console. The creator has been in pre-order mode recently, and some test devices have gone out while development is underway. The ship date is scheduled for October, and the video above is the latest demo. If you’re a fan of fun import emulation gaming machines like this, I recommend following the excellent Obscure Handhelds blog.