The Ouya just can't catch a break.
After announcing a delay for its US retail launch, the Android unconsole is set to face competition from a newcomer to the market: BlueStacks' GamePop.
Known from bringing Android apps to PCs and Macs, BlueStacks' new aim is to bring Android games to the living room and it's hoping to entice customers with the GamePop by providing the console and a controller free-of-charge for the month of May.
BlueStacks claims that the GamePop has over 500 games in its library - but, intriguingly, consumers won't have to purchase them in order to play them.
Instead, customers must pay a monthly $6.99 subscription fee to access GamePop's library which it plans to constantly update.
Battle for the living room
This monthly subscription fee must be paid in a yearly increment, so the upfront cost for the GamePop is $83.88 plus $9.99 shipping.
When added together, these two costs total $93.83 - or, $6.16 cheaper than the Ouya's retail price.
After May, however, consumers will need to purchase the GamePop console for an unspecified price in addition to paying the monthly subscription fee.
This appears to be only for US residents though, with European pre-orders expected at some point during the Winter.
While the cost of the GamePop will no doubt sway the decision of many looking to purchase an Android unconsole, it will be interesting to see if the subscription model wins out over individual app pricing.
Finally, BlueStacks isn't sharing GamePop's specs just yet but it's confirmed to run Android 4.2 - just like the Ouya.
If you'd like to find out more about the GamePop, visit BlueStacks' site.
[source: Engadget]
News
US Correspondent
Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.
Top Stories
News
May 11th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E11 - Xbox in turmoil, Krafton champions AI development, and Apple's iPad challenge
News
May 10th, 2024
Unity says restructure that saw mass layoffs is now complete as it posts Q1 2024 revenue decline
News
May 10th, 2024
Week in Views - Xbox's mobile games store is doomed to fail, Sonic meets the Angry Birds, and Apple's iPad problem
Feature
May 10th, 2024
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a round of roguelikes to a Sonic surprise
Events
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
Future Games Show 2024 | Jun 8th |