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
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
-
someguynamedmatt bsbsbsbsThis just doesn't excite me at all.I'll second that lack of excitement.Reply -
spectrewind 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?Reply -
dalta centauri So basically, a streaming emulator for both tablets and pc's?Reply
This isn't amazingly exciting, but let's see how it turns out. -
Ragnar-Kon bsbsbsbsThis just doesn't excite me at all.someguynamedmattI'll second that lack of excitement.I'll go ahead and third that. I fail to see the appeal of streaming games.Reply
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. -
zoemayne Ragnar-KonI'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.Reply
4TH!!!! LOL -
eatfoodnow Appeal of streaming games:Reply
pay $250 for a netbook and play brand new games, as opposed to buying a non-portable $750 desktop to play the same games. -
PreferLinux eatfoodnowAppeal 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.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 ; can be shut down at any time). And more.Reply