BlueStacks announces the GamePop Mini, a ‘Netflix for games’ service

Lately it seems that the inexpensive gaming console market has been growing at quite the rapid rate. Ouya, Project Mojo, GameStick, and Google are just a few companies developing Android-powered game consoles with the hopes of gaining your attention. As of this morning, we can now add BlueStacks to the ranks as they announced their newest console, the GamePop Mini.

The GamePop Mini is described as a console that’s bout the size of a pack of bubble gum, and free for users who commit to a 1-year subscription to its online gaming service — which is also called GamePop. When The Verge talked to BlueStacks’ CEO Rosen Sharma, they received a pretty simple answer to why the console is free: “We’ve said it before, but we’re working really hard to build a Netflix for games. We can’t do that if we don’t get subscribers. And we think people will be more inclined to give us a shot if they don’t have to pay for the console itself.”

The GamePop Mini will run both iOS and Android games, however official ship dates have not been released quite yet.  Details on hardware and other key factors are still a mystery, but we expect to hear more in the near future. So far all we know for sure is that the GamePop Mini will be available for pre-order beginning Monday, July 1st.

Source: The Verge

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The Greenlight Supershow Celebrates Indie Games With A 13+ Hour Live Stream

In celebration of Steam Greenlight, and in promotion of a number of hopeful titles, the developers have gathered together for a 13+ hour live stream to showcase more than 25 games.

The list below offers a small sampling of games that will appear on the live stream. The creators will also be on hand to talk about their games, as well as other guests. For more on the live stream, you can head here. If you want to just dive in and start watching, head here.

Tower of GunsSyder ArcadeMcDroidRay's the DeadParanautical ActivityForcedCastaway ParadiseRollers of the RealmRetroboosterBroForceDukes and DirigiblesGirls Like Robots

For more on indie games in general, check out our exploring IndieCade feature from E3.

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Precursor Games Designer Arrested For Child Pornography Possession

Precursor Games, the studio that recently tried to launch a kickstarter for a spiritual sequel to Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, has already seen its fair share of controversies, but it doesn't look like things are getting any better. Niagara Regional Police just arrested Precursor Games writer, game designer and artist Ken McCulloch for possession of child pornography.

According to Bullet News Niagara, local police began an investigation in April and executed a search warrant to arrest McCulloch on Thursday June 27. McCulloch is being charged with one count of possession of child pornography, one count of making child pornography available, and one count of accessing child pornography.

Unsurprisingly, Precursor Games is beginning to distance itself from McCulloch. In a post on the companies official forums, CEO Paul Caporicci wrote, "Having just learned of these disturbing charges today and based on the serious nature of them, Ken McCulloch is no longer affiliated in any way with Precursor Games."

We'll keep you posted as more develops.

[Source: Bullet News Niagara, Via: Joystiq]

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