GameStop 'Becoming a Technology Company'
Games retailer GameStop has said it will soon start streaming games to users’ devices.
GameStop has long been one of the most well-known retailers of new and used video games. However, the company has decided to branch out, and is planning a very interesting venture. The Dallas Morning News reports that during the company’s Investor’s Day event on Friday, GameStop announced that it would be using its purchase of Spawn Labs, a company that provided remote console streaming for developers, to offer an OnLive-like streaming service for tablet and notebook users.
Victor Godinez writing for the Dallas Morning News said that the games can be played via any internet-connected, large-screened device with a 720p resolution. The service connects the user’s device to an individual Xbox 360 or PS3 in Spawn Labs’ data center in Austin, Texas. Godinez says he also saw a real-time demo of Halo: Reach activated through a web browser on a PC.
To ensure streaming doesn’t cannibalize hard-copy sales, GameStop will initially only allow streaming access to games that Power Up Rewards customers have already purchased. DMN also reports that there will probably be a subscription fee in place for customers who wish to stream titles. In the future, it’s possible GameStop will allow users to register and stream titles they’ve purchased from other retailers and there’s also potential for a ‘try before you buy’ option for customers shopping online.
As exciting as it sounds, the service is far from finished. GameStop is apparently still in discussions with tablet and hardware manufacturers regarding the next generation of tablet technology and the possibility of Bluetooth peripherals and controllers for touchscreen mobile devices. The company also has plans to sell a selection of specially-optimized tablets in store -- quite a departure from new and used games.
"We're definitely becoming a different company," chief executive officer Paul Raines is quoted as saying in an interview. "We are becoming a technology company."
Further Reading:
GameStop's digital transition accelerates with two streaming and downloading acquisitions
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This just doesn't excite me at all.
This just doesn't excite me at all.
I'll second that lack of excitement.
Is this the same company that "guts" new console games, allows employees to take them home, return the games, and resell the games as new?
So basically, a streaming emulator for both tablets and pc's?
This isn't amazingly exciting, but let's see how it turns out.
This just doesn't excite me at all.
I'll second that lack of excitement.
I'll go ahead and third that. I fail to see the appeal of streaming games.
Then again I fail to see the appeal of Lady Gaga and she (literally) makes more money in two days than I make in an entire year, so what do I know.
GameStop: NEW! Radeon 5770 o wait LOL.
I'll go ahead and third that. I fail to see the appeal of streaming games.Then again I fail to see the appeal of Lady Gaga and she (literally) makes more money in two days than I make in an entire year, so what do I know.
4TH!!!! LOL
Appeal of streaming games:
pay $250 for a netbook and play brand new games, as opposed to buying a non-portable $750 desktop to play the same games.
Wow individual xBoX. I need to get me one of these!!
Appeal of streaming games
At half the speed or less, requires a good broadband internet connection (as it is supplying the graphics not just info on players as multi-player games do), dependent on their service (if it's good, it isn't [demand effectively creates a DDoS attack]; can be shut down at any time). And more.
Appeal of streaming games
well you whont save to much money its a console game so not to much power gain but you will be able to play console games on your pc. wii is not in the list i cant unders tand why oh wait dolphine, owell i actualy like the gapic in wii games on pc whit 1080p some anti analyzing and they look quite good.
How about making this service something a client can setup on their own? so they could load their COD disc and leave for school, then pull up their OWN console while at school!? obviously your stuck to one game unless mom loads another game for ya but still.
GameStop is becoming a sh!thole company.
The longer they are around the more I hate them. Their prices are high, they no longer price match, they force you into the "PowerUp" rewards program to earn benefits you should be getting anyways.
I usually find better deals on games through Amazon and even Newegg of all places.
I never did like the reselling of used games to gamestop. I mean, you don't really get that much out of them, and I kind like to think of games as collectors items. Plus one day, you may want to play them again. Also with all this streaming talk.. does that mean the people that sell their games back wouldn't be able to play since they sold it back and no longer actually have a copy of the game? I'm not sure what to think. But I've never been a fan of gamestop or EBgames..
4TH!!!! LOL
1, 2, 3, 4, Fif! GameStop blows.
GameStop is taking notes on what happened to Blockbuster?
Maybe I'm the only one but I AM excited about this prospect. I have some games I would love to play on my laptop at work but I can't...
1st - because the graphics card sux (It's not a gaming laptop).
2nd - because they are talking console games
May be less exciting to some because of a different controller but I already use a USB to PS2 controller and adapter.
Basically, I'm going get paid to play PS3 games now, not just old roms and watching Netflix.
Knowing gamestop though they will take this potential and flush it down the toilet with insane prices. I think the company is a little greedy.
Will they offer Battletoads on their streaming service?
6th, they already have a service like this, it's called Onlive and it sucks balls.
Cloud computing (in this case cloud gaming) is the future. Once broadband fully evolves and latency and bandwidth becomes a non-issue, everything will be on the cloud.
Streamlining everything provides several benefits that a single user simply cannot provide.
Cloud computing (in this case cloud gaming) is the future. Once broadband fully evolves and latency and bandwidth becomes a non-issue, everything will be on the cloud.Streamlining everything provides several benefits that a single user simply cannot provide.
They way ISP's are evolving in the United States and Canada this is NOT the future. The internet in the US and Canada as a whole is extremely slow when compared to other countries and far to expensive for the quality and service that's provided. Now, take into account all ISP's are moving to bandwidth caps and tier pricing at some point in the near future streaming games, movies and music will be a current day fade that will quickly die when people begin getting $500 internet bills.
aftcomet: haha that's not happening unfortunately
Call me stupid but I don't really understand the point of this, is it like Netflix for games?
aftcomet: haha that's not happening unfortunatelyCall me stupid but I don't really understand the point of this, is it like Netflix for games?
Not quite. Nexflix for games is Gamefly, which requires consoles. This 'service' would be much more like youtube/hulu for games.
I think that they should probably have waited or should wait on the next wave of next gen consoles. It's really dumb to do so now when the people that would try this already have access to what they are providing. If they wait, their selling point could be that instead of purchasing a next gen console at $400 they can simply buy access to their program.
There is literally a bestbuy across from the game stop in my city... Hmm let me think... bestbuy hands down... Now if only I could get a newegg store.
Might be a good idea if they make a paper-thin xbox controller that we can carry in our pocket.
I WANT PIKACHU HDTV!!!
and... its gamestop so they will somehow find a way to rip you off... you'll probably have an accoutn fee plus charge for games and if you lapse the account or stop paying you lose acess to games you bought... i hate this new stuff i like steam btu unles steam offers streaming where i still keep my games i'll pass on this tech
Sure, give internet providers one more excuse, as flawed as they are, to start putting bandwidth caps.