Invasion of The Android Consoles

[Disionity]

A whole trio of dedicated video game consoles running on Android OS are releasing relatively soon in the coming months. For those of you who don't know what these systems are, I will elaborate.
The consoles are the following:
Ouya
Nvidia Shield
GameStick

These are open-source consoles, meaning that ANYONE with the knowledge and skill can make software for the respective consoles, without having to worry about licensing fees or obtaining special development hardware.
First, we'll go over the Ouya.

OUYA:

The Ouya is a Kickstarter-funded console, raising a second place high-record for any Kickstarter project.

Release Date: North America: June 25, 2013
Specifications:
Introductory price: $99 USD
Operating system: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
System-on-chip used: Nvidia Tegra 3 (T33)
CPU: 1.7 GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9
Storage capacity: 8 GB internal flash memory
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Display: HDMI
1080p, 1080i, 720p
Graphics: Nvidia ULP GeForce
Input: USB 2.0 (one)
Micro USB (for connection to PC)
Controller input: Wireless controller
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth LE 4.0
Ethernet port

Ouya Presentation Video:



Ouya Official Site:
http://www.ouya.tv/


Nvidia Shield

Nvidia's first foray into the game console market, while being more powerful than the Ouya, no price has been announced, indicating that this console may very well not be at the small budget price-point of the Ouya.


Release Date: North America: Q2 2013
Price: $300 USD
Specifications:
Operating system: Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean)
System-on-chip used: NVIDIA Tegra 4
CPU: Quad-Core ARM Cortex A15 CPU
Storage capacity: MicroSD
Display: 5-inch, 720p @ 294ppi, multi-touch touchscreen
Graphics: Custom 72-core NVIDIA GeForce® GPU
Sound: Custom, bass-reflex, tuned port audio system delivers fidelity and custom range
Controller input: D-pad
2 × Analog Sticks
L/R bumper and trigger buttons
X, Y, A, B buttons
NVIDIA Button
Volume buttons
Back button
Touchpad
Touchscreen
Connectivity: IEEE 802.11n-2009 2 x 2 Wi-Fi
3.5 mm headphone jack
Mini HDMI output
Micro USB
Online services: NVIDIA TegraZone
Google Play
Steam

Nvidia Shield Presentation Video:



Nvidia Shield Official Site:
http://shield.nvidia.com/


GameStick


The GameStick is yet another Kickstarter funded-project manufactured by UK-based company, PlayJam. The GameStick is the smallest of the three consoles, having the exact dimensions of the common USB Flash Drive. The system's original April release was recently put on hold due to high production demand.


Release Date: North America: September 2013 (Kickstarter Backers) General Public: Not Announced
Specifications:
Introductory price: $79 USD
Operating system:Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
System-on-chip used: Amlogic 8726-MX
CPU: Amlogic 8726-MX
Storage capacity: 8 GB internal flash memory
Memory: 1GB DDR3 / 8GB FLASH
Display: HDMI
1080p, 720p
Graphics: Amlogic 8726-MX
Input: Bluetooth
Controller input: Wireless controller
Connectivity :HDMI * Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth LE 4.0


GameStick Presentation Video:



GameStick Official Site:
http://www.gamestick.tv/

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do you think of these consoles? Are these devices a step forward towards the future of gaming?

Honestly, I love the idea of these consoles, but there's two factors that will probably make these devices never be taken seriously as a viable gaming platform. These factors are: Power and Software. Although The Nvidia Shield is quite a powerful portable using the some of the most powerful graphics chips on the market, the Ouya And GameStick are already using outdated Tegra 3 graphics chips, have meager amounts of internal storage and have rather small RAM of 1GB. And right now a lackluster software line-up of existing Android titles with console optimization and ports of indie games available on Steam and other services. As of now, I can't picture these systems being more than a indie console for indie developers, a cheaper alternative for someone who is no longer willing to keep up with the demanding price of Next-Generation game consoles like the Wii U, PS4, and the unannounced name of the next Xbox. I just hope these pieces of hardware aren't complete failures and end up being remembered as a way to play Android games on your television.

Cite your opinions below, and feel free to correct me if I got some of the information wrong.

[Adsolution]

The Nvidia Shield is quite a powerful portable using the latest and greatest Android graphics chips

Wat. I don't think nVidia is going to use anything but their in-house cards, considering the fact that they're the global leaders of graphical technology, and they are the manufacturers of the highest-end graphic units available.

CPU memory space

That's not a thing.

of 1GB

If we're talking about RAM, this is already far more powerful than the current generation, but still not very powerful when looking at the big picture.


Overall, I'm not a very big supporter of consoles. I can understand people who only want to buy something that can play games instead of a full-blown computer, but what exactly are these consoles supposed to play? It's not like any big developers (aside from maybe Valve) are planning on developing for them.

[Bzzit]

Flooded market... If the causual consumers cant play the likes of Call of Duty and Fifa on them and they are just full of games they can already get on their phones...then R.I.P

[Disionity]

The Nvidia Shield is quite a powerful portable using the latest and greatest Android graphics chips

Wat. I don't think nVidia is going to use anything but their in-house cards, considering the fact that they're the global leaders of graphical technology, and they are the manufacturers of the highest-end graphic units available.

CPU memory space

That's not a thing.

of 1GB

If we're talking about RAM, this is already far more powerful than the current generation, but still not very powerful when looking at the big picture.


Overall, I'm not a very big supporter of consoles. I can understand people who only want to buy something that can play games instead of a full-blown computer, but what exactly are these consoles supposed to play? It's not like any big developers (aside from maybe Valve) are planning on developing for them.

Sorry there, I don't know what the heck I was typing then, I meant to say RAM. And the Tegra chips are primarily used in Android devices, sorry to confuse some readers to think that actual Android in-house chips were being used. I've corrected all of the errors in my previous post now. In reply to Bzzt's post, yes a lot of people are saying that it's a flooded market saying that "It's 1983 all over again!" While I do agree with the statement that the market will be over-saturated with various video game consoles, at this point in time, the industry is not fraying at the ends right now, and shows no signs of ever slowing down. Let's just say that these machines' fates were already "written in stone" when the idea was first conceived and will be remembered as some sort of "weird smart phone/ video game console crossover that you could play Angry Birds on the TV with." and that's just rather disappointing. As I said before, the idea that the consoles have behind them are great, but ultimately fail due to poor execution. The hardware isn't there, the software isn't there, and most importantly, the audience isn't there. Seriously, who is going to buy these devices unless they planned on developing software for them. And big publishers like Ubisoft, Rockstar, Activision, EA, etc. aren't going to support the console with their big releases. Basically, it is just a way to get all these indie-devlopers back to making games on the console, without having to deal with other companies' approval and ridiculous policies (a'la Microsoft with XboxLive store) when publishing their games. There is NO way the devices can compete with the new or even current generation of video game consoles, that and they have already crowded their own market by launching not two, but THREE consoles all in the same time-frame. With all the devices not really sporting any advantages over the the other, which one are people going to know to buy? I'm not saying the nVidia Shield was a bad idea, because that's a handheld, NOT a fully-fledged game console like the Ouya and GameStick. 'Shield could have a good following and bright future, IF they can get GOOD, EXCLUSIVE titles. But who knows, maybe they are onto the brink of something new, perhaps Android based consoles really are the future of gaming, perhaps they'll hit some sort of mainstream success as seen with the original Wii, or maybe all three of these devices will fail, becoming recollections of the past that we laugh and scorn at. I guess only time will tell.

[GNineify]

I can't wait to play the 230 000 new Angry Birds games on these.

[Disionity]

I'm not poking fun at the Ouya or it's creators, but right now there really is no reason to rush out and buy the Ouya when it releases in June. I also hate to poke fun at mobile platforms as well, with the typical-Angry Birds joke saying how shallow mobile gaming is, and for the most part that's true, but there are a few good, possibly great gaming experiences to be had on iOS and Android platforms. But again, I don't own any iOS/Android devices and have only briefly used one, so who am I to say?

[Bzzit]

Theyre getting a HD version of Final fantasy 3 as a major release, that would be crowned as a minor downloadable title on anything else ( amazing game though)

[Disionity]

I'd practically be sold on the Ouya if these titles came to the console. Sure, I know they're ports, but since I don't own a PS3 or 360 all of these titles (excluding BG&E) would be my first experiencing them.

[Adsolution]

The Steam Box is the only upcoming console I'm in support of. It's a great idea, really.

[Bzzit]

The Steam Box is the only upcoming console I'm in support of. It's a great idea, really.

Same here, imagine if Half Life 3 came out on release and was an exclusive....owchh

[Adsolution]

I don't feel like I should have to explain this: Whatever is on the Steam Box is on regular Steam, and vice-versa.

[Bzzit]

but maaatteee stilll some things are exclusive on the playstation store on the vita> ps3, Im not syaing it would happen im just saying imagine if it happened out of nowhere, there would be rage and shit lel

[Disionity]

The Steam Box is the only upcoming console I'm in support of. It's a great idea, really.

Indeed it is, but isn't it roughly priced at $1000 right now? Well again, people pay around that much for gaming PCs so I guess it's not much of a surprise.

[Adsolution]

Indeed it is, but isn't it roughly priced at $1000 right now? Well again, people pay around that much for gaming PCs so I guess it's not much of a surprise.

No, that was a false rumour that Valve denied.

[Master]

I thought that was the Piston, which apparently is endorsed by Valve, but isn't THE Steam Box.

[BarkingChaos]

Call me dumb, but just what kinds of games are these things supposed to play? Android market games?

I really don't follow indie developers or whatnot. I haven't really been following any gaming news recently to be honest.

[Haruka]

Call me dumb, but just what kinds of games are these things supposed to play? Android market games?

I really don't follow indie developers or whatnot. I haven't really been following any gaming news recently to be honest.

Yep, it is to run Android games. I already heard about the first two consoles, but the third (with obvious inspiration from Nintendo) I didn't.

Anyway, I'm not interested in these consoles. To be honest, I would rather buy a tablet instead of any of those consoles: it would play games and do much more stuff.

[Adsolution]

Just Android games? What a stupid idea.

[Disionity]

Technically, yes, The consoles only play Android software, but they are supposed to get exclusive titles that can only be played with a traditional gamepad instead of touch-and-tilt interface. But if the hardware doesn't end up getting those titles, then it is just an alternative to a phone or tablet with Android OS.

[Keane]

Excuse me, but aren't Android games just typical phone games to keep you busy for five minutes? Why would I need a console for that?