SHIELD gaming device is flying off store shelves.
LAS VEGAS - As quickly as NVIDIA supplies video game retailer GameStop with SHIELD devices, they fly off store shelves. The portable Tegra 4 gaming platform was on display in Las Vegas at the GameStop Expo, which was open to the public for only the second time. Attendees were able to get hands-on with the SHIELD and the latest Tegra 4 games. Joe Gorman, vice president of mobile for GameStop, was on hand to talk about the growing mobile business and how NVIDIA technology is attracting more gamers in this exclusive interview.
How have things been going with the NVIDIA SHIELD since launch?
We’re pretty excited that we’ve had a partnership with NVIDIA for a couple of years through the tablet business and now with the SHIELD. Our customers are really savvy folks. They’re PC gamers from way back, so they know the quality of NVIDIA and what that brings. Being able to feature SHIELD on the floor is exciting for us. I think it’s another area where gaming meets technology and we’ve had a really good response from consumers since launch. We thought NVIDIA should be up front as soon as you walk in to the expo.
Can you talk about that response and how gamers are reacting to SHIELD?
You have two types of customers. There’s the PC customer that has the awareness of what NVIDIA’s value is and what they bring to the table. NVIDIA is really a gaming company at their roots, so that customer knew ahead of time and pre-ordered and got the SHIELD. But we have another type of customer as well. And the interesting thing is we have displays around the country in GameStop stores that feature a live demo, very much like what was on the floor at GameStop Expo. Consumers are getting their hands on the SHIELD and starting to understand what the new tech looks like and how the device operates. And those are some of our best stores in terms of sales of the device. We’re actually looking to add more of those hands-on displays across the country.
