GameStick grew out of my earlier work with PlayJam on smart-TV gaming and the HEX console concept. PlayJam approached me to help shape an affordable, portable games console that could bring Android gaming to the television. I played an instrumental role in its early development, producing concepts across branding, hardware, UI and packaging.
It was an interesting time for the games industry. Smartphones and tablets were changing how people accessed games, creating opportunities for smaller and more affordable devices. Ouya, another low-cost Android console, was also being developed around the same time.
The final GameStick direction paired a simple wireless controller with a tiny HDMI stick, similar in size to a modern Amazon Fire TV Stick. I drew inspiration for the controller from classic consoles such as the SNES, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. The aim was to create something simple and approachable, built around instant pick-up-and-play fun and with less complexity than contemporary PlayStation and Xbox controllers.
The branding and packaging I developed for the console and its accessories used a clear signature colour to stand out on busy retail shelves while maintaining a clean, premium identity.
GameStick launched on Kickstarter in January 2013, raising nearly US$650,000 against an original target of $100,000. The campaign made extensive use of the concept work I had developed and demonstrated genuine interest in a more accessible and affordable approach to console gaming.
Despite that strong start, GameStick struggled after launch. Reviews highlighted the limitations of the hardware and its relatively small game library, while smartphones, Ouya and the arrival of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One made the market increasingly competitive.
Looking back, I believe the console needed a few killer launch games and an accessible way to play classic emulated titles. I also preferred the earlier small cube concepts I developed, which had more character and felt more premium, while the final hardware was ultimately underpowered. Addressing those areas would have given GameStick a much stronger proposition at launch.
Although it never fulfilled its early promise, GameStick was an ambitious and enjoyable project. The team set out to make console gaming more accessible, and the success of the Kickstarter campaign showed there was a real appetite for the idea.
It was an interesting time for the games industry. Smartphones and tablets were changing how people accessed games, creating opportunities for smaller and more affordable devices. Ouya, another low-cost Android console, was also being developed around the same time.
The final GameStick direction paired a simple wireless controller with a tiny HDMI stick, similar in size to a modern Amazon Fire TV Stick. I drew inspiration for the controller from classic consoles such as the SNES, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. The aim was to create something simple and approachable, built around instant pick-up-and-play fun and with less complexity than contemporary PlayStation and Xbox controllers.
The branding and packaging I developed for the console and its accessories used a clear signature colour to stand out on busy retail shelves while maintaining a clean, premium identity.
GameStick launched on Kickstarter in January 2013, raising nearly US$650,000 against an original target of $100,000. The campaign made extensive use of the concept work I had developed and demonstrated genuine interest in a more accessible and affordable approach to console gaming.
Despite that strong start, GameStick struggled after launch. Reviews highlighted the limitations of the hardware and its relatively small game library, while smartphones, Ouya and the arrival of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One made the market increasingly competitive.
Looking back, I believe the console needed a few killer launch games and an accessible way to play classic emulated titles. I also preferred the earlier small cube concepts I developed, which had more character and felt more premium, while the final hardware was ultimately underpowered. Addressing those areas would have given GameStick a much stronger proposition at launch.
Although it never fulfilled its early promise, GameStick was an ambitious and enjoyable project. The team set out to make console gaming more accessible, and the success of the Kickstarter campaign showed there was a real appetite for the idea.
