So not only can you, as a developer, allow for custom controller layouts for your game, but you can even create a controller like the one described for Angry Birds that costumers would normally have to pay for. That’s just neat. Once the App finds and communicates with the GameStick ‘controller’ it automatically loads up the appropriate controller for whatever game you’re playing too- so there’s no fussing over loading a template or something equally annoying.

Also very cool is that gamers with a phone automatically have a second controller for the GameStick without needing to buy one. PlayJam’s little Kickstarted console is looking like it has a lot going for it so far, but it has run into a few little stumbling blocks along the way to gamers. GameStick’s actually missed it’s June release date after missing a previous date as well.

As of now, PlayJam is still maintaining that the GameStick should be on target for a late Summer/early Fall launch, so stay tuned for that. The App mentioned here will be a free download for both Android and iOS (which is a little nutty since GameStick is Android based).

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PlayJam looks like it’s got something very interesting on its hands with the GameStick. It’s hard not to like that controller and the whole aesthetic of the device has a really mod coolness about it.

Of course, the key to success is going to be the same as any other console- the games that it’ll run. Shadowgun and the like are good starts, but PlayJam will have to make sure developers keep ’em coming on a regular basis and that they offer more than just ‘play on a TV’ as a hook. Some exclusive titles would help in that regard, but I’m getting ahead of myself (not to mention PlayJam) as the GameStick isn’t even out as of yet.

The launch of the GameStick has been pushed back from its original late April date to July, so if you’d like to get in on it and preorder one for yourself you’ve still got time. To do just that, or just take a closer look, click here.

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Apparently folks took to the idea of an inexpensive home console just fine as the Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for PlayJam’s Gamestick blasted way past the original $100k goal- all the way to $648 thousand US dollars.

“We are overwhelmed, excited, grateful, thrilled and everything in between.” says Anthony Johnson, CMO, PlayJam.“The campaign has been an incredible success with support from thousands of backers worldwide but this is just the beginning.The feedback from the Kickstarter community has been invaluable in shaping the final product and we will continue to seek input from those that supported us to ensure continued innovation ahead of a global retail launch.”

According to the company, pledges were coming into the campaign right up till the last possible minute. As a result, the console/controller pack will more than likely be able to meet its shipping goal of this coming April and will be available soon for pre-order at PlayJam’s official site.

The Android-based console basically amounts to a thumb drive sized device that plugs directly into your television’s HDMI port. From there the little guy runs without wires or power source (other than the TV). Other than that, the wireless dual-analog stick pad is the only other thing that’s needed for play.

A docking station with ports aplenty and second controller were both offered as part of the Kickstarter, though just where any add-ons fit in at present are a little unclear.

If you’re interested in grabbing a Gamestick (when they go up for sale) for yourself, or want a little more info on the console, click here.

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Originally PlayJam was only looking for $100k (USD) to fund and produce the GameStick console. As of this writing though, the company has already pulled in more than double that- $253,929 USD. That’s beyond impressive and just goes to show the level of support that’s out there for bringing mobile (and inexpensive) gaming home.

“The response from the Kickstarter community has been truly overwhelming. We are confident in our product and what we hope it will mean for gaming but we were taken aback at how quickly the message was adopted,” says Anthony Johnson, CMO, PlayJam.“There is no better feeling than having hundreds if not thousands of people endorse your idea.”

Honestly, what’s not to like? PlayJam is promising that the GameStick will be offered at a super low cost (with a $79 USD price point), will play Android games with an impressive initial list of publishers (like Disney and MadFinger), and will be an open system. They actually encourage folks to tinker and make their own software for the GameStick- not something you see every day.

“The Most Portable TV games Console Ever Created” is currently scheduled to ship just in time for Fall- in September 2013. The kickstarter is still moving forward as well (click here for that), if you’d like to get in on it for yourself.

PlayJam has added a few more tiers of pledging with an eye towards developers too, so if you’re into making games, you really might want to have a look and get on board.

Note: Image shown is a prototype model, and may not represent the final look of the GameStick

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Using an Android operating system and offering bluetooth connectivity for controller support, this little guy is, if nothing else, a very interesting idea.

The GameStick plugs into your TV through an HDMI interface and is “ready to go right out of the box” with its bluetooth controller. It also has an eye towards portability and taking the console with you as the two devices (controller and base) combine into a single, small form factor device for easy transport.

One of the main ideas behind the console is to bring “affordable gaming to the big screen”. That’s an idea that I like and can definitely get behind; and if you think about it, it’s a pretty natural evolution. With ‘App’ based gaming on tablets and smartphones getting such terrific support and wild adoption among the gaming public, it kind of seems like a home market niche that’s just been begging to be filled.

There’s really no console on the market today (outside of a PC, if you count that) that has low priced, downloadable titles as its core. Enter GameStick:

“We wanted to create a games console that helped further our overriding mission to bring affordable gaming to the big screen”. Says Jasper Smith, CEO PlayJam. “Not only that, we wanted to push the boundaries of what has been achieved up to now by packing sufficient power into the most portable of devices, enabling users to carry that experience with them wherever they go.”

So much attention has been paid to the likes of low cost mobile games that the home level gamer has been almost totally forgotten as to that particular aspect of the ‘App’ phenomenon- that aspect being the cost (or lack thereof).  And ‘low cost’ is something that the GameStick would play to all around, as the console itself is only expected to cost $79.99 USD.

The list of publishers involved with the console is actually pretty decent st this point too with the likes of Madfinger (Shadowgun, Dead Trigger) and Relentless Software (Blue Toad Murder Files) already onboard.

If you’d like to get involved in the Kickstarter campaign for the GameStick, you can click right here to join in. The campaign seems to be going pretty well as PlayJam was looking to amass $100k USD and has already (as of this writing) been pledged more than that with the current level of funding sitting at $104,245.

If that level of support is any indication, it looks like there may be some big things in store for the future of the little console.

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