Gamestop beta testing console streaming service

Gamestop has been testing a console game streaming service and hopes to have a beta in place by year's end, according to a report from GamesIndustry.biz. Presumably, testing sessions are conducted while researchers break from formulating new, more effective ways for cashiers to ask you to pre-order something, anything.

If you've been paying attention, the news shouldn't come as a total surprise. In March, the game retailer bought Spawn Labs, which offered its own console game streaming box, the Spawn HD-720, as early as 2009. This new service would be able to stream 360 and PS3 games to smart devices and dedicated hardware. GameStop is also tinkering with PC game streaming, but who isn't doing that?

And that's sort of where the details dry up. We know this will be a service for members of GameStop's PowerUp Rewards program and that demos will be provided, but the rest (most importantly, the pricing) is a mystery. But take heart: GI.biz reports we can expect more details early next year, with a full roll-out by the middle of 2012.