It seems like we have another video game console which is holding a campaign through the Kickstarter platform, following success stories such as the OUYA which walked away with more than 8.5 million dollars pledged. PlayJam, a global platform for casual and social games on the television have today launched their Kickstarter project for the GameStick…. their own dedicated games console.
The team behind GameStick hope to accelerate the race to change the face of big screen gaming with the launch of the most portable, affordable, dedicated TV gaming device on the market priced at just $79. The GameStick is a small yet they hope powerful dedicated games console which plugs directly into the TV’s HDMI slot and comes with a fully featured Bluetooth controller that is ready to go right out of the box.
Jasper Smith | CEO of PlayJam
We wanted to create a games console that helped further our overriding mission to bring affordable gaming to the big screen. Not only that, we wanted to push the boundaries of what has been achieved up to now by packing sufficient power into the most portable of devices, enabling users to carry that experience with them wherever they go.
We are currently in a closed Beta phase of development with a working prototype that our guys are using to test some great games. Next comes the final design stage and live testing of both the controller and the games. We are fortunate to have been able to utilize our existing technology to get us to this point and have preferred manufacturers in place and an existing developer network ready to go. However, to get this project over the line and into full production, we need the support of the backers on Kickstarter.
To date, the most accessible route to TV gaming for the consumer has been the traditional games console – this is changing. GameStick gives the thousands of Android developers out there an additional route to bring an affordable big-screen gaming experience direct to their fans. What´s more, we wanted to do this via a unique, highly portable device that will enable pure social gaming – by that we mean people sharing great experiences in the same room!
The 30 day Kickstarter campaign launched today with the team at PlayJam looking to raise a minimum of $100,000 to help make GameStick a reality. Supporters of the project can get involved by pledging as little as $10. Pledging $10 will net you your name listed within the GameStick User Interface as a founding contributor, $79 will now net your a Gamestick Bundle while if you fancy a dinner with Jasper Smith in a restaraunt of choice in Europe, Asia or USA and a Gold Stick Bundle…. it will set you back $5,000. While none of the larger pledge bonuses have been taken up yet… they have already achieved $75,597 of their target with 29 days still to go.
GameStick will feature a purpose-built game store through which users will be able to browse and download content. The proposition will be powered by PlayJam´s existing Games Network for Smart TV which currently supports developers such as Relentless Software, First Star Software, and Disney.
To date, the team has been focused on bringing GameStick to its pre-production phase by finalising hardware design and integrating the back end technology to power the service. They have worked with a small beta group of developers to announce the following initial line-up.
Developer Games Madfinger Shadowgun and Dead Trigger Hutch SmashCops Supersecret Software Cannabalt First Star Boulder Dash XL FGOL Hungry Shark, Grabatron and Pool Bar Relentless Software Quiz Climber and Blue Toad Murder Files Sports Director MYFC Manager .
Now that the project is public, the team hopes to work with all Android developers looking to get their games onto the big screen. GameStick´s Bluetooth controller uses different modes to allow the gamer to access and play 100´s of compatible games directly onto their TV.
To check out their Kickstarter page and/or pledge, click HERE.
Woah this looks promising !!
I really hope you reach your goal 🙂 in everything