PlayJam's GameStick Android Console Delayed

News
By Kevin Parrish
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Originally PlayJam Ltd's GameStick Android console was slated to hit the market today, but popular game retailer and investor GameStop shows that the $79.99 device isn't scheduled to arrive until November 15, the same day the PlayStation 4 arrives. We've reached out to a company rep to see what's caused the delay, but it may have something to do with fine tuning the console based on feedback from the press and early adopters.

Like OUYA, GameStick is a closed Android ecosystem that doesn't provide access to Google Play and other Google services. Owners are required to re-purchase their games if available, although given the price of apps, die-hard Android gamers may overlook this inconvenience. The hardware bundle itself consists of an HDMI extension cable so that the console doesn't stick straight out, the gamepad, and the console unit itself.

The GameStick is really just that: a stick-shaped Android gaming console with built in Wireless N connectivity. The actual unit measures 2.75 x 1.125 x 0.4375 inches not counting the extra 0.375-inch HDMI connector. This device can fit inside the controller, making it more convenient to carry than the boxy OUYA. We've had the Gamestick for several weeks now and so far the only issue we've seen is a lag in the rechargeable controller when its power gets too low.

Like OUYA, GameStick began as a Kickstarter protect. This one launched on January 2 and ended February 1, landing 5,691 backers pledging $647,658 USD and surpassing the $100,000 goal. The console was originally slated for an April release, but high demand supposedly pushed the launch back to June. The team then announced that the device wouldn't ship to retail until early November.  

The GameStick packs an ARM Cortex-A9 based Amlogic 8726-MX SoC with 1 GB of DDR3 memory and 8 GB of internal storage. The device is also powered by a forked version of Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean", which doesn't allow access to the core operating system (OUYA does to some degree). The device also has Bluetooth LE 4.0 and a microSD card slot for even more storage.

If we get a response in regards to why GameStick was pushed back a week, we'll slap it right here. So far all we've heard is that "it's out to backers, just not at retail yet."

UPDATE - Here's a response from PlayJam CMO Anthony Johnson: "The date was pushed back to the 15th for no other reason than production / logistics delays. GameStop’s shipment landed in Texas this morning awaiting customs clearance so it is well on its way. We had a few teething issues highlighted during our Kickstarter activations - the majority of which have been ironed out."

Kevin Parrish
2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • rwinches
    Why?
    You can get Android TV/PC sticks w/Root and customs ROMs better than this.
    http://www.freaktab.com/
    Plenty of controllers are available like these
    http://www.phonearena.com/news/10-game-controllers-for-smartphones-and-tablets_id39901#10-iControlPad-2
    Reply
  • somebodyspecial
    I don't get the point of these $100 closed junkers. Are people really this poor? If you have any plans of an NV card for xmas or whatever (even a lowly 650ti boost etc), might as well grab a shield for $200/250 (after coupon) and have an OPEN system, no game repurchasing and HUGE power advantage to push nice games to your tv (or from your PC). These are so underpowered I just can't see them doing any better than ouya (also underpowered).

    There will be a new shield every year as Jen hinted. While I'd wait for the next rev (kepler should be quite nice and fixes for things learned from shield 1), if I was buying anything for the kids this xmas etc it would be shield. No vita, no 3ds etc all crap underpowered now with far less features, no hdmi out on these two. As everyone moves to mobile the android games will pick up even better stuff very soon. Pretty much everything in the works now can be aimed at S600/T4 etc + as they have 100mil units in the wild with these or above now. Probably far more than that actually. S4 alone has sold 40mil, add tablets, other phones etc, probably over 100mil.

    How many of these or ouya will sell compared to the 100mil top end phones/tablets already out there in the wild to aim at? Selling at 250mil PER QUARTER for just phones alone now, the next die shrink means even the junkers will be S600/S800/T4 levels in around 6-9 months. Which means at that time they will be selling 250mil that are about 2-3x more powerful than this junk. That's a heck of a lot of people to aim at. Even a $5 game that sells to 2% of that market (5mil units out of 250mil) can make a dev 17.5mil+ even after googleplay etc takes their 30% cut. Ouya and this thing are dead before they start vs. these kinds of numbers. That same 250mil audience quadruples 3 quarters later...ROFL. That same game can then bring in 70mil with only 2% buying their game...ROFL. Jeez, I need to change careers :)

    Why make a game for these with what less than a few million audience? Has ouya even sold a 500K units (I'm thinking 300K or less)? So if 100% of the players buy a $5 game they get 2.5mil (and I'm aiming WAY high here)? I'd rather aim for 2% of phones/tablets etc on an open system with every game I'd make which also aims at HUGE audience growth in just one year. I'm not sure but I think this thing is 1.5ghz and already running a slow mali400 (300-400mhz) by today's standards.
    Reply