Tablets coming to GameStop

Emphasizing the notion that the tablet is becoming a staple in the gaming industry, video game retailer GameStop has revealed plans to begin selling the mobile devices during the upcoming holiday season.

According to reports, a handful of tablet models based on Google's Android™ operating system will be available at 200 GameStop stores throughout the United States. The devices will sell for their usual retail prices, but will come pre-loaded with seven free games, including Madden NFL and Dead Space™ from Electronic Arts.

Games on tablet computers still lack much of the complexity as those for traditional consoles, but this hasn't stopped consumers from using tablets for gaming purposes. According to a March 2011 study from Google's AdMob, gaming is the No. 1 activity among surveyed tablet owners, cited by 84 percent of nearly 1,500 respondents.

"Customers have been telling us that they like to game on multiple devices," J. Paul Raines, chief executive of GameStop, says, according to the Wall Street Journal. "We believe there is a gaming opportunity on tablets."

The tablet initiative will represent only a small portion of GameStop's business this holiday season, the Journal reports. However, if successful, the program may be expanded next year.