GameGadget, an iPod-like exclusive game player with a game store

U.K-based firm Blaze has announced GameGadget 1.0, a Linux-based handheld gaming device exclusively for games like iPod for music. The gadget is really a “Go Anywhere – Play Everything” machine that will herald a new revolution in the way gamers play games, developers design games and publishers sell the games. Like App Store, there will be a game-store dubbed GameGadgetGames with the device. Gamers can download new and retro titles from there and publishers can showcase their games. As a whole, GameGadget will be a great way publishers can monetize their games and gamers can experience titles.

GameGadget Changes the Game

According to Blaze’s press release, GameGadget provides “Gamers, Game Developers and Game Publishers, unrivalled choice and flexibility in how they play, create and sell games.” Of course, such a gadget only for gaming can bring some changes in the very gaming industry. It is mouth-watering to play games on a device exclusively for games rather than a smartphone or tablet. It is here Blaze’s GameGadget is going to become a hit on market.

According to Jason Cooper, designer of GameGadget, the device is crafted with a goal of playing all games on a single platform. Rightly, the idea behind GameGadget almost resembles iPod music player. The Apple music player, which truly transformed the music industry, is only for music listening with a special music store, iTunes. Here, along with GameGadget, we have GameGadgetGames to download new and old titles, which are published by developers and publishers.

Picture Gallery

Jason Cooper's GameGadget

The GameGadget 1.0. Built alongside a revolutionary software service

Mr. Cooper says hundreds of thousands of titles will be archived on GameGadgetGames. The service allows game developers to re-market their back catalogue and gain incremental revenues with no investments required, adds Cooper. Of course, GameGadgetGames opens a new way for developers to sell their products for customers, who always look for fresh titles.

GameGadget tech specs

GameGadget will run on Linux open source operating system. The device supports games up to 32-bit. It features 2GB on-board memory and supports SD cards that help games store additional games. The gadget has a small display and gaming controllers at each side of the display. No more details about the tech specs and other features are available as of now.

Notable features

Open source operating system: GameGadget runs on Linux, an open source operating system, which is an ideal platform for handheld devices. It helps developers create games as they make for Linux based systems.

Game-store: In style of Apple App Store and iTunes for iPod, there is a sophisticated game-store for GameGadget, dubbed GameGadgetGames. Gamers can download games and publishers can sell their games on the platform.

Great hardware for gaming: GameGadget is a high-end gaming hardware. The portable device is with a display, game controllers, SD card slots and many other features, required for handheld gaming.

Compatible with game development libraries: GameGadget works well with leading game development libraries like DirectFB and SDL. It means there won’t be any dearth of games for the hardware. Gamers will have a large collection of games on GameGadgetGames.

Highly portable: Blaze claims that GameGadget is a highly portable device. Though its dimensions and weight are not clear, it looks like that the device will be slighter and smaller, so that gamers can carry it around.

Of course, gaming becomes a fresh experience with GameGadget. It may be one of rare technologies in gaming industry. Gamers are to get an exclusive device for gaming. Publishers get a great platform to monetize their products. Indeed, the ultimate result will be that a new revolution will be born in the gaming industry, which is already one of leading industries in the world.

Price and availability

Blaze plans to unveil GameGadget early next year. The device will arrive in stores for a price tag of £99.99. Earlier, it was set to release late 2011; but the new press release says the device will be up early next year only.

Via: GameGadget