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So if you have any interest in video games, console wars, PC vs Console or gaming in general you'll probably know about the new Shield, Android game streaming device from Nvidia. The article listed is just one of many Google will produced. I didn't see a thread discussing the potential impact on the Console market this device will have so thought I'd make one in order to discuss the system and its implications.

For the work blocked, although there are many similar articles you can access via Google

The new Nvidia Shield is the 'world's first 4K Android TV console' and launches this May for $199

Nvidia just announced an Android gaming console. The latest Shield (previous entries include a gaming tablet and before that an all-in-one game controller plus screen) is the "world's first 4K Android TV console." The device itself is thin and sports the familiar sharp design aesthetic (with green glow). It supports decoded 4K video at 60Hz. The Shield will launch in May for $199, game controller included, alongside the company's new Grid game-streaming service.

The non-gaming bluetooth remote ("Shield remote") looks fairly minimal and features a "one click, one touch voice search" (à la Amazon's Fire TV remote) and a headset jack for listening quietly (à la Roku remotes). It appears that it won't be bundled with the box itself.

Nvidia's home console is powered by its Tegra X1, its new mobile "superchip" announced in January. CEO Jen-Hsun Huang is touting just how much more powerful this Shield is compared to current set-top boxes like Roku and Apple TV — but it's also about twice the performance of the Xbox 360 at half the power output.

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More than 50 Android games at launch — and yes, it can run Crysis 3

And of course, it plays games. Nvidia Shield will have its own store, and at the time of launch there'll be over 50 games curated, according to Huang. From the on-stage demo, we see Portal, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Half-Life 2: Episode 1. Multiple developers have taken the stage to show support and live demos, including Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchfork (for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, running at 30fps), id's Tim Willits (Doom 3 BFG edition), and Crytek's Cevat Yerli (Crysis 3 at 30fps — "yes, it can run Crysis," Huang keeps reminding us).

So to summarise

- Small, lightweight streaming 4K stream device that can stream a variety of games, including Portal, Star Wars; Knights of the Old Republic and Half Life 2
- About half the price of current generation Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles which are in the same market, clocking in at just $199 US
- Runs on Android, with game streaming from Nvidia's new service "Grid"
- Other sources cite AAA Xbox games like Batman: Arkham being available in future
- New "superchip" for the device gives performance roughly twice that of the Xbox 360, while only requiring half the power output



So, discussion. Personally, I'm a PlayStation guy, always will be. But I see this new Shield being popular with both parents and those with limited income due to the relatively cheap price compared to XBO or PS4.
However, I don't really see it making that much impact with dedicated or casual gamer due to the brand loyalty gamers have for their chosen Current Generation Console, or the Wii U, gods forbid. Gamers have a ridiculous level of loyalty or preference towards their line, even when the likes of the PS4 was objectively better than the XBO at launch (cheaper, better library, better graphic outputs, cheaper online, etc). I can't see this new guy on the block making waves as it doesn't really offer anything new. The PS Store, especially with free games from PS+, and the Xbox Live Arcade, while more expensive than the Shield, already offer digital gaming of both AAA, Indie and classic games, with PS+ and XB Live both offering free monthly games of classic and AAA titles. And while the Shield's performance sounds good on paper compared to the previous iteration of Xbox, how does it compare to the latest systems?

PC gamers will of course still proclaim themselves the master race. I don't see the Nvidia even making a scratch on the market unless the target audience are price-restricted, but if one has the cash to become a PC gamer in the first place, unlikely. PC gamers will be thoroughly unimpressed by the graphics, output or library available when better is readily available on PC. For them the Shield offers nothing but cheaper alternative, and not a good one either.

So, just some initial thoughts while I distract myself in class. Thoughts on the system, anyone?

Honestly, the only thing that's going to make a break a system these days are it's game library; All it will take is a couple of kick ass exclusives and it'll start selling copies, especially at that price.

I don't see it succeeding. It is a streaming device in a world that doesn't NEED a streaming device (or more specifically. we have one already, called laptops). It doesn't have a particularly amazing library (great games, to be sure, but nothing people can't get elsewhere) and it makes selling points on something like power draw?

This is gonna flop, methinks.

 curran12 wrote:
I don't see it succeeding. It is a streaming device in a world that doesn't NEED a streaming device (or more specifically. we have one already, called laptops). It doesn't have a particularly amazing library (great games, to be sure, but nothing people can't get elsewhere) and it makes selling points on something like power draw?

This is gonna flop, methinks.

If you think this is the same as a laptop you are clearly missing something. Besides, laptops suck for gaming, keyboards are too small.

It is the same in that it offers online access to games. While power and input are different, the idea is quite the same. The issue remains that this Shield is filling a niche that is better filled by existing options.

 curran12 wrote:
It is the same in that it offers online access to games. While power and input are different, the idea is quite the same. The issue remains that this Shield is filling a niche that is better filled by existing options.

I disagree, I don't think anything fills the niche better. A better question is, is this a niche people are actually into? I'm still unconvinced streaming games is pointless.

As a die hard PC head, I cant see its appeal.
As mentioned, games libraries are key if you are a Pc head but are thinking about a console purchase. This dosent seem to cut the mustard in that regard.

A budget console may find an audience somewhere for those that cant/wont afford a full gaming rig or baulk at xbox prices etc but it'll be niche methinks.

But really, how good of a selling point is "it is a cheap budget machine!" when it also requires the capacity to stream that much data?

 curran12 wrote:
But really, how good of a selling point is "it is a cheap budget machine!" when it also requires the capacity to stream that much data?

Well, we know it works so I don't know what your point is here...

A friend of mine has one of these things. It's... pretty fething amazing, actually.

How so?

For what is basically a handheld, it's quick, the display is amazing in quality and, perhaps most notable, I found it to be very lightweight and comfortable to hold.

Now, in the interests of full disclosure, the version my friend had was the controller/screen combo deal that nVidia released awhile back, not this new Android 4K dpi version. However, if nVidia has basically translated the design philosophy from its previous iterations to the new model, it will definitely be something to keep an eye on.

Is it niche? Of course, all handheld gaming devices are niche, whether that's a Gameboy, a PSP or whatever. But this, being hardware from a company not normally seen in the console arena, is a good entry.

"Hey guys! Remember us? We're Nvidia! Sony and Microsoft went to our competitor for their current gen consoles, so we've got our own! What's that? No, I don't know what an Ouya is. Why are you laughing?"



These and the generally useless Steam Boxes? The last thing we need are more formats and more hardware.

I read an article awhile ago that pointed out that streaming just an hour's worth of gameplay at 1080P 60fps will suck up about 20 gigabytes of data.

Not really worth it. Current state of technology isn't ready for video game streaming, imo.

Well, with the changes to broadband classification and Net Neutrality, that may not matter.

 BlaxicanX wrote:
I read an article awhile ago that pointed out that streaming just an hour's worth of gameplay at 1080P 60fps will suck up about 20 gigabytes of data.

Not really worth it. Current state of technology isn't ready for video game streaming, imo.

From the sounds of it, most games are stuck at 30FPS and their native graphics, probably 720p for most of the console games, so probably would be as much as 20GB, but good point made.


Another thing I just realised is that being a streaming service, rather than digital download as with Xbox Live and PSN Store, the games wouldn't be able to play offline unless you took an expensive 3G/4G subscription. Also, if your internet speeds were slow or restricted, you'd have issues there too. Or have I got that wrong.

 Deadshot wrote:
So to summarise

- Small, lightweight streaming 4K stream device that can stream a variety of games, including Portal, Star Wars; Knights of the Old Republic and Half Life 2
- About half the price of current generation Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles which are in the same market, clocking in at just $199 US
- Runs on Android, with game streaming from Nvidia's new service "Grid"
- Other sources cite AAA Xbox games like Batman: Arkham being available in future
- New "superchip" for the device gives performance roughly twice that of the Xbox 360, while only requiring half the power output

So it will play mutliplatform titles? Arkham Knight will release on the PS4 and Xbone as well as PC. It's not an 'Xbox game' any more than it's a 'PS4 game' or 'PC game'.

Now, if they got something like Forza 5, Sunset Overdrive or Halo 5, I'd be impressed.

 -Loki- wrote:

 Deadshot wrote:
So to summarise

- Small, lightweight streaming 4K stream device that can stream a variety of games, including Portal, Star Wars; Knights of the Old Republic and Half Life 2
- About half the price of current generation Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles which are in the same market, clocking in at just $199 US
- Runs on Android, with game streaming from Nvidia's new service "Grid"
- Other sources cite AAA Xbox games like Batman: Arkham being available in future
- New "superchip" for the device gives performance roughly twice that of the Xbox 360, while only requiring half the power output

So it will play mutliplatform titles? Arkham Knight will release on the PS4 and Xbone as well as PC. It's not an 'Xbox game' any more than it's a 'PS4 game' or 'PC game'.

Now, if they got something like Forza 5, Sunset Overdrive or Halo 5, I'd be impressed.

I believe it was The Know It All that first alerted me to this, can't find the typed article I read right now. It did specifically say Xbox games, with examples including Batman: Arkham City, so I am unsure whether it means upcoming AAA titles, like Forza or Arkham Knight, or it will be similar to PS+ Monthly games that give titles from years gone by like January’s inFamous First Light DLC.

Streaming games, eeewwwwwwwwwwwwww.

If they were games to d/l it could work well. But PS2 slim is still a solid console. 1000s of games, dvd, and optical out. It's size is awesome too.

Imo it wouldn't be hard to knock xbox off from the top two, it's a crap console. Worst console i've owned.

Had a brain cabbage last night. Sorry just realised this was a streaming device and not a full console #facepalm.
I can see it having its uses in a living room style type setup where you have a seriously bad ass 40" TV or something and just want to stream a few games with mates around.
I suppose you can do that with an xbox etc too but it is a lot cheaper and the ability to stream games at will (assuming your connection is solid) might have an appeal.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
"Hey guys! Remember us? We're Nvidia! Sony and Microsoft went to our competitor for their current gen consoles, so we've got our own! What's that? No, I don't know what an Ouya is. Why are you laughing?"



These and the generally useless Steam Boxes? The last thing we need are more formats and more hardware.

Yeah I agree.

Qualcomm's SoC's dominate in the smartphone and tablet market and all current gen consoles use AMD hardware.

The shield is just Nvidia making a device they can put Tegra into besides a vehicle as their overall SoC market share is tiny.