Audio Video News

LG to Bring Cloud-Based Gaming to Smart TVs

SV Staff  |  Mar 3, 2016

LG announced plans to bring cloud-based gaming to its smart TVs starting in late April when the GameFly Streaming App becomes available on its webOS 2.0 (2015) and 3.0 (2016) smart TV platforms. The app will be added as part of a software update.

For a “fraction of the cost” of traditional console gaming, GameFly streams video games from cloud-based servers to smart TVs and other media devices, “eliminating the hassle of purchasing and setting up multiple consoles.”

To get into the game, LG smart TV owners will need to pay a “low” monthly fee, plug in a gamepad, and access the GameFly app from the TV screen. Recommended gamepads include the Logitech F310, Logitech F710, and Xbox wired controller.

GameFly will offer streaming packs that bundle popular action games such as Tomb Raider: Game of the Year Edition, Batman: Arkham Origins, F.E.A.R. 3, Darksiders, and Red Faction Armageddon. The GameFly library also includes Lego Batman 3, Pacman Championship Edition, WRC4, and other family games.

“LG Smart TV owners will have the ability to stream high-quality video games right to their TV and enjoy a next-gen console-like experience in the comfort of their home,” said David VanderWaal, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA.

COMMENTS
Warrior24_7's picture
Submitted by Warrior24_7 on March 4, 2016 - 5:09am

I'm a serious gamer and have been for decades. This app better work and work well. These games are also old...ancient. If it's going to be packages of certain games instead of giving the gamer freedom of choice, then it's a fail. “eliminating the hassle of purchasing and setting up multiple consoles.” So purchasing and setting up multiple LG TVs is cheaper and less hassle free? Unless this app isn't exclusive to their TVs and the player can download it on whatever smart TV he already owns. Also, anything "fee" based is going to eventually surpass the cost of purchasing a console. I've never used Gamefly, but don't you "still" have to pay-to-play? The ONLY controller that makes any sense is the Logitech F710 because its wireless. Did anybody think this through? The HDMI plugs are are on the back or side (usually on the same side) of the TV. So this "may" prove to be awkward. Sitting 2-3 feet from 50"-65" TVs for hours on end could impact the gaming experience and may cause physical harm, don't know. But, this is good news overall and about time somebody offered something more than phone games! If this is exclusive to LG, then it could help sway some gamers to their brand.

mtymous1's picture
Submitted by mtymous1 on March 5, 2016 - 1:06pm

I see this as being as successful as 3D TVs, Apple Newton, and any other niche sub-demographic.

I have serious doubts about the graphics capabilities on these TVs being able to support the future of gaming. Unless there is a major game changer in gfx-requirements (cost, design, programming, etc.), I just don’t see serious gaming coming these TVs. Moreover, I doubt non-gamers would want to support the cost for enhancements they won't use. And I'm not taking in to account the costs associated with building and maintaining an LG-specific gaming infrastructure, which will undoubtedly add to unit cost.

I get that gaming is a HUGE part of the quest for living room dominance, but then again, is there even a legit market for the living room? The highly-coveted millennial demographic (about which this publication frequently posts) couldn’t care less about gfx-intensive games, nor any other thing that requires high-performance hardware. So why add cost to a modified version of a mainstream product to cater to a niche???

Besides, which is more portable: a gaming-quality PC, a game console, or a gaming-capable TV?

X