GameStop is considering either partnering with an OEM to build a tablet, or creating its own. According to Gamestop boss Tony Bartel, the association is still determining in between building the own line-up or regulating an existent pattern from an OEM, depending on the strength of the gaming knowledge as well as the coherence in regulating the Bluetooth-connected controller.
Last week, GameStop announced two acquisitions: Spawn Labs, a streaming technology company, and Impulse, a subsidiary of Stardock Systems and a leader in digital distribution (think alternative to Steam). If the retailer could leverage these technologies on an upcoming tablet, it would certainly have some potential. That being said, the tablet market is going to become quickly saturated with a variety of options, and many are going to get axed very quickly.
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GameStop, a USA based video game and entertainment software retailer, is contemplating producing its own tablet which will be created keeping video games in the mind.
GameStop president, Tony Bartel has recently said, "If we can work with our partners and the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and they come up with a great tablet that is enabled with a great gaming experience and coupled with a Bluetooth controller, then there's no need to go out and develop our own."
GameStop is also looking at Bluetooth controller compatible tablets.
GameStop had earlier acquired Stardock's Impulse digital distribution and SpawnLabs.
It intends to expand towards downloads platform, just like Apple.
GamaSutra has also quoted Bartel as saying that his company is becoming a hybrid company as its users consume games on a wide variety of platforms.
So far only iPad has seen brisk sales in the tablet market, whereas Xoom from Motorola and Galaxy Tab from Samsung have been big on hype but short on sales.
Meanwhile, Research in Motion is also coming with its own tablet, the Playbook, which is to be launched on April 19th. PlayBook's prospects are looking good but it is not targeted at the gamers.
Notably, Bartel had earlier expressed his unhappiness about the low price of iOS games. So we can safely assume he will try to increase the price of the games.
It is likely to be a big challenge for him to bring a new tablet to the market and sell costlier games to the users. Users can only wait and watch.
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