Initial GameStick launch pushed back due to high demand

Creators of the portable console Gamestick have announced a delay for the Android-based device – a setback caused by a much higher consumer demand than expected, according to the hardware makers.

A Kickstarter update states that due to the demand jumping from around a thousand units to tens of thousands of units, the method to assemble the hardware’s parts has been significantly upgraded to handle the volume.

The demand has caused a chain reaction of logistical changes, resulting in a delay for the first consumer-ready consoles. The push back ultimately means a two month wait beyond the April launch window for Kickstarter backers who are owed a GameStick device.

Initially we had hoped to deliver GameStick to you at the end of April,” the update reads. We now expect to complete mechanical tooling about 4 weeks later at the end of May. Then the units are assembled, tested and assuming there are no issues, packed prior to shipping to each territory. We expect to ship around the 10th June.”

The volumes are now too large for us to be able to afford to air-freight them, which was our plan, so now we are going to have to use sea freight to deliver them. That’s going to take around 2 weeks. Then we have fulfillment in territory – which we estimate will take between 1 and 5 days depending on where you are located. This means we think the likely date of arrival of your hand crafted GameStick will be at the last week of June.”

It seems the delay will now have an effect on the console’s full retail launch, which was previously announced for June as well.