GameStop's Cloud Gaming Won't Support Consoles, Phones?
GameStop isn't supporting consoles with its game streaming service slated to launch next year.
Gamasutra reports that GameStop's cloud gaming service, which is now slated to arrive in 2013, won't support consoles as originally planned. Instead it will support the PC, tablet and Smart TV platforms -- so far there's no mention of its status on high-end phones.
The games retailer purchased Spawn Labs in early 2011, and soon after announced its plans to provide a service rivaling OnLive and perhaps even Gaikai (although the latter isn't a subscription-based service). Talk of supporting both the PC and console platforms has been central to its cloud service push since the beginning, and there was even talk that the game streaming platform would arrive this year.
But now it's August 2012, and a national private beta has pushed the company to support only the PC, tablet and Smart TV form factors. Even more, the service is now slated to launch next year, giving the company more time to negotiate with developers and publishers.
"Based on consumer feedback, our success in selling mobile devices, and the imminent launch of new consoles, we have decided to move our technology to a PC-based model," said GameStop president Tony Bartel during a conference call with investors on Thursday morning.
New consoles. There's a good chance GameStop doesn't want to tinker with the current generation because Microsoft and Sony are expected to dish out new hardware next year. That said, GameStop may return to the console sector with its cloud platform, but only after the new consoles hit store shelves.
Another prohibitive factor may be the publishers and console makers themselves, not wanting gamers to move away from physical media just yet. GameStop may have also hit a roadblock in dealing with Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, or the console makers may have wanted too much in licensing fees.
Just recently Sony announced the acquisition of Gaikai, and will likely offer new and older titles for the current and next-gen consoles. Microsoft will likely provide its own cloud solution with the launch of Xbox Infinity next year.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Sure, don't support the most popular and fast growing platform like tablets. This will end up like Onlive before it even gets going. Gamestop knows it has issues with this platform but try getting a gaming app through Apple? Who makes the most popular tablet. Don't think that would happen.Reply
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tanjo I only use the cloud as sun screen and rain. I hope this (cloud gaming) won't become a trend. I love playing in my gaming rigs and consoles - and I like it to stay that way.Reply -
Do not fear fellow gamers, onlive is bankrupt and graphic chips hit gigantic sells number q2 2012. This mean that cloud gaming is not happening now, or any near future.Reply
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manicmike Reply9392855 said:Sure, don't support the most popular and fast growing platform like tablets. This will end up like Onlive before it even gets going. Gamestop knows it has issues with this platform but try getting a gaming app through Apple? Who makes the most popular tablet. Don't think that would happen.
Did you even read the article?
First paragraph: Gamasutra reports that GameStop's cloud gaming service, which is now slated to arrive in 2013, won't support consoles as originally planned. Instead it will support the PC, tablet and Smart TV platforms -- so far there's no mention of its status on high-end phones.
As for smartphones, most simple don't have the hardware to support an actual game LOCALLY, let alone streaming something from the cloud.
Edit: I agree with everyone else, cloud "gaming" = FAIL -
CaedenV drwho1I really don't care.I will never use "the cloud" for anything."the cloud" is just a marketing term for 'web based services'Reply
To avoid the 'cloud' would mean not using online services such as email, chat rooms, forums, weather applications, online video streaming, torrents, mmo's ....
Don't mistake jargon for the actual thing itself. you use the cloud, and there is no avoiding it. you may not use certain cloud services (like online backup/syncing, or cloud gaming), but you do use the cloud. -
Kami3k Hmmm this or just buy a game and download it from Steam?Reply
99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of PC gamers will pick Steam. -
kyraiki I do hope that they will let you buy and download the games (like Gamefly or Steam) rather than forcing you to stream them to your PC... I don't like having to be online for a game to work - Looking at you D3.Reply -
Epic Fail!!!!!!!! Everyone who's into "cloud gaming" has onlive. Their going belly up! Why would give these greedy bastards anymore money anyway all they do is rip you off!! Guess they don't reed the news.Reply