Android-Based GameStick Console Launching October 29

Well, it sounds like the GameStick console is actually about to release to the public--for real this time. After multiple delays--the Android-based microconsole was last set for a retail launch in September--the GameStick will hit stores on October 29, reports Gamasutra. But even a month out from a worldwide launch, the development team at PlayJam is already planning to expand its horizons.

A direct competitor to Ouya, the GameStick offers a more portable solution to the Android console trend, packing an HDMI dongle right into the controller. Priced at $80 in North America and £80 in the UK, GameStick will be available in brick-and-mortar stores like GameStop, as well as online via Amazon.

But during an interview with Gamasutra, PlayJam CEO Jasper Smith gave the impression the company is in talks to move its GameStick service onto other microconsoles and connected devices like Smart TVs.

"Ultimately, what we want to do is plug GameStick's network into as many other TV-relevant devices as possible," said Smith. "For our developer network to get value out of what we're doing, we need to be serving tens of millions of devices--and however successful we are with selling GameStick, we're unlikely to sell tens of millions of them in the next few years."

Essentially, PlayJam would also like to position itself as a game publisher and has already struck a deal with a "rather large company" planning to release its own microconsole. Specifics about the deal are unavailable.

Matt Clark is a freelance writer covering the world of videogames, tech, and popular culture. Follow him on Twitter @ClarkMatt and MyIGN at Matt_Clark.

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