Are you a content creator who struggles to create content on the go? Are you a streamer who has to bring a miniature TV with you on the go. Have you had to purchase a gaming laptop to stand beside your everyday laptop in order to create content? Well if you answered yes to any of these questions then you are in luck because GAEMS has a new gaming case for the gaming content creator on the go.
At E3 2019, GAEMS gave us an inside look at their new Guardian case, which was designed to meet the demand of a booming game streaming and esports market. Rather than having to lug around heavy equipment, the Guardian provides an all-in-one gaming experience to all users. Below is the official announcement from their E3 bulletin.
“The Guardian is a high-definition, portable gaming environment for content creators/streamers, eSports competitors, and anyone who wants to take an “at-home” quality gaming experience on the road with them. Its TSA-friendly hard-shell case features a 24” QHD IPS panel, a proprietary dynamic SoundStage™, an integrated media center, and a patented Pic Rail mounting system for cameras, microphones, lighting and other equipment used for professional streaming.”
That description of the all-in-one GAEMS Guardian case can feel overwhelming. Basically, the Guardian provides users with the tools needed in order to be able to create the content they want.
So what brought on the changes found on the Guardian from previous GAEMS products? Users were modifying their cases to meet whatever needs they had, whether it be for drone usage or bringing their PC along with them. The Guardian was designed to be able to fit a desktop PC in a transportable box, all geared with a content creation slant, rather than sheer power.
One chip is used to run the video while another is used to run the audio; this division of power creates crisp and clear pictures. By using a 12-watt amplifier built into the case, 9-watt speakers and sub-woofers give a surround sound experience. A third chip is running the media center. Plug one USB and HDMI into the device and the media center can keep running while not in direct use. The Guardian uses a unique HTCP license to blend all its chips together.
The mounting unit can hold up to 10lbs. Gamers can pack their console cords in the Guardian and unroll when needed; the case also supports international adapters. The Guardian is helpful when traveling abroad and users are able to modify the Guardian to meet their needs; the monitor works from 40 volts all the way down to 100.
GAEMS wanted to create a device to truly aid content creators who travel to events such as E3, PAX, Quakecon, or AX and these specifications seems to fit that desire. Josh Sniffen, the architect behind the Guardian, told us that this has been his proudest work to date.
We were also told that the GAEMS case aims to be a personal gaming environment, meeting the demand of its users and it wasn’t created to make a quick buck. During the interview, John Smith who is the co-founder of GAEMS stated that the Guardian should cost less than most PCs, whether gaming or personal. The Guardian preview setup at the booth featured an LED chroma keyboard, mouse, and camera while also using a Lucid Sound headset to contain the volume. A cage is placed over the standard Guardian to allow users to attach their consoles, secured by velcro.
GAEMS believes that the Guardian should work with all new consoles and knows that it works with the current generation of consoles and some prior. For streamers using older consoles, GAEMS recommends using their Sentinel product. GAEMS openly challenged PC lovers to build a device equivalent to The Guardian for the same price, while providing the same amount of functionality.
During our short hands-on preview, we had the opportunity to sit down with the Guardian and play a bit of DOOM. The 24in monitor did not feel like it was 60hz due to the clear and crisp image we were able to see. The system was quiet but worked efficiently. The half a frame delay was not noticeable during solo gameplay but it will be interesting to see how the GAEMS Guardian does for online use. Looking at the case, storage should not be an issue and the Guardian may be able to replace most gaming laptops at a fraction of the cost.
After previewing the Guardian at E3 2019, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for its official release within the next few months. At the moment, the GAEMS website is advertising the Guardian XP for a price of $700 USD. If the idea of taking a tool around that is slim but versatile piques your interest, you can head over to the GAEMS website to preorder now.
In the past, GAEMS products such as the Vanguard and the M155 Monitor have scored high with our staff.
