BlueStacks, which readers probably know mostly for their application that lets users run Android apps on their computers, announced some surprising news today. The company is jumping into the gaming console market with a new device dubbed the GamePop. The hardware itself, which consists of the console and a game controller, will be free to users who pre-order during May as part of a $6.99 per month subscription service. To help potential buyers feel comfortable that they are really getting something for their subscription fee, BlueStacks also announced deals for content with some of the top game developers like Blu Mobile, Halfbrick, and OutFit7.
BlueStacks is seen as a proven solution in the microconsole space thanks to the success of their App Player according to Shainiel Deo, the CEO of Halfbrick. That helps increase the comfort level for developers that the GamePop platform will be successful. Helping the situation is the fact that BlueStacks will not take a cut of any in-app purchases made by players running games on the GamePop. BlueStacks has also promised to share 50% of the subscription revenue back with developers based on usage. GamePop’s subscription service is described as an “all-you-can-eat” model which will give users access to all games available instead of paying per game.
Check out the video below for more information about the GamePop and how it will bring Android gaming to your big screen TV. If you are interested in placing an order, head on over to GamePop.tv.
Click here to view the embedded video.
BlueStacks Announces GamePop, Brings Famous Mobile Games to TV
Mobile gaming comes to the living room via new product, service; several top developers on board
Palo Alto, CA May 9, 2013 – Mobile company BlueStacks today announced a new gaming console and subscription service called GamePop. The system includes a custom console and gaming controller free as part of the $6.99 per month service for May pre-orders only. This marks the first time a gaming console has been offered free with a subscription. The company recently passed 10 million users of its App Player software, which allows mobile games to be played on Mac or PC.
BlueStacks has also announced content deals today with several top game developers for the new platform, including Glu Mobile, Halfbrick, and OutFit7 – makers of the popular Talking Tom series.
“BlueStacks has credibility in the microconsole space that others just don’t have,” said Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick. “We’ve been a featured partner in App Player since early on and they’ve delivered on every promise in terms of distribution. GamePop is a great incremental channel for us.”
Other Google app-makers with the coveted “Top Developer” badge coming on the platform include the #1 kids app-maker Intellijoy, as well as Deemedya, Chinese wunderkind Droidhen and many more yet to be announced. “Mobile gaming has been taking off the past few years. BlueStacks’ vision is to bring that same experience to bigger screens,” said BlueStacks CEO, Rosen Sharma. The all-you-can-eat pricing model for GamePop lets users enjoy a much broader range of games, just as you can watch more movies with Netflix versus the pay-as-you-go model Blockbuster employed.”
“Mobile gamers continue to show higher levels of engagement and longer play sessions on larger form factors,” said Glu CEO, Niccolo de Masi. “BlueStacks and GamePop offer developers like Glu an opportunity to potentially reach a new audience of gamers with great 3D, high-production value content. We see significant potential in BlueStacks’ approach to the console gaming market.” Developers keep all of the in-app purchases that run through their apps with GamePop – BlueStacks does not take any share. Additionally, 50% of GamePop subscription revenue will be shared back with developers, apportioned by usage.
BlueStacks plans to market GamePop subscriptions directly from GamePop.tv, which went live today. Their main site, BlueStacks.com the company announced for the first time today clocks 1.6 million unique visitors every month and growing. GamePop will also be featured on BlueStacks’ Facebook page, where they maintain a community of 1.2 million fans.
ABOUT BLUESTACKS
BlueStacks was founded in 2009 to bring the energy and creativity of the mobile app world to every type of device. The company is funded with 15M from Intel, Andreessen-Horowitz, Radar Partners, Redpoint, Ignition Partners and Qualcomm. The company’s App Player software has over 10 million users. Join their more than 1.2 million Facebook fans at Facebook.com/BlueStacksinc, or on Twitter at @BlueStacksinc
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