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Print 25 comment(s) - last by Breakfast Suse.. on Jan 8 at 11:28 AM
NVIDIA offers up a portable Android gaming device with PC streaming capabilities

As if Tegra 4 wasn't enough for CES 2013, NVIDIA is also dropping another bombshell on show attendees: Project SHIELD. Project SHIELD is NVIDIA's entry into the handheld gaming sector.
 
The handheld gaming console is a multifaceted device that is not only capable of playing any game from Google Play, but can also stream games from a PC (including STEAM games). For streaming to work, however, you must be connected via Wi-Fi and use a GeForce GTX 650 or higher GPU.
 
Project SHIELD is powered by Tegra 4 and comes with a 5" 720p touch display (294 ppi). It also features t also features what NVIDIA calls a "console-grade controller". The handheld console looks like an Xbox 360 controller on crack with a screen attached, but it's much more than that. Project SHIELD runs a "clean" version of Android Jelly Bean and has access to all Android games and applications.
 
Pricing is unknown at this time, but the device will be available during the second quarter of 2013.

 
So what do you guys think? Are consumers going to want to fork over money for another Android-powered gaming device (instead of a smartphone that you carry around 24-7-365) just to get physical controls built-in? Is the PC streaming option a viable option? Offer up your thoughts in the comments section.

Sources: NVIDIA [1], [2]


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RE: Why should I use this?
By TakinYourPoints on 1/7/2013 2:14:29 AM , Rating: 3
It is basically like the Wii U tablet controller combined with OnLive streaming so you can play your PC games over long distances.

The application may be very specific but its still pretty cool tech. I'm gonna lol if it is cheaper than a Vita.


RE: Why should I use this?
By Labotomizer on 1/7/2013 8:48:25 AM , Rating: 2
Where does it say you can play over long distances? It says you have to be connected via WiFi, which usually means your local wireless network. I doubt this would work with my LTE hotspot, which is technically WiFi from the controller's perspective. Plus, gaming on the go usually means an airport lobby or hotel room, neither of which ever have decent wireless service.

I'll stick with my phone/tablet for now. I think the Xbox tablet will be a better setup if it ends up happening.


By Breakfast Susej on 1/8/2013 11:28:01 AM , Rating: 2
The only way it would even make any sense would be if you could use it over long distances via a wifi internet connection. The last thing on earth I can see wanting to do is sit in a different room than my expensive gaming pc and play an FPS with a gamepad on a 5 inch screen.

They are also alluding to this thing being very costly, which I fully expect to be the case where Nvidia is involved.

I would be more interested in something like a gameclip and emulators to play old 2d console games via emulator on my smartphone than something like this. Which I suppose I could go out and do right now anyway.

The last thing on earth that is going to succeed is a high cost dedicated handheld gaming device at this point. PS Vita being a good example of what happens to dedicated handheld gaming devices amidst the ongoing smartphone arms race.


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