Samsung revealed today its "Samsung Cloud Gaming", a cloud-based gaming service for its premium TVs. In addition, rival LG Electronics announced a partnership with Onlive, to integrate the gaming service into a new line of LG television sets.
Developed in partnership with cloud-based video game platform provide Gaikai, Samsung's service will stream a mix of family-friendly and AAA video games directly to
owners of 2012 Samsung LED 7000 series and up Smart TVs
in the U.S.
Samsung Cloud Gaming gives Smart TV users instant access
to some of the video game industry's biggest titles,
without any need to download, install or patch/update
games.
"Samsung is excited to deliver this revolutionary gaming
experience that takes advantage of all the benefits of
cloud-computing, all on the central screen of the
home "Samsung Smart TV," said Kyung-shik Lee, Vice
President, Visual Display Business at Samsung
Electronics. "With Samsung Cloud Gaming, Samsung's
leadership in Smart Content and commitment to providing
consumers with an innovative Home Entertainment
experience is evident."
Samsung will soon begin accepting sign-ups for the Beta
Test of its Cloud Gaming service on Smart TVs in the
United States.
Consumers who own a 2012 Samsung LED 7000 series and up with a good
Internet connection will have access to "Samsung Cloud
Gaming"directly through Samsung's Smart Hub. Consumers
will be able to try the games for free and only pay for
games like, Samsuing added.
OnLive, another California-headquartered company, already offers users the chance to stream games to TVs via its Microconsole device.
The upcoming line of LG Smart TV with Google TV sets will come pre-loaded with an Onlive app. This app will lets users play games from more than 60 publishers, including some of the most famous game makers.
Since LG's upcoming Google TV products will be able to support 3D output, users will have a selection of full 3D titles to choose from among their digital offerings.
"OnLive continues to pioneer exciting new experiences that are instantly and easily accessible for everyone. OnLive cloud technology is the future, and we are thrilled to continue to bring its unique capabilities to light to a broader audience," said company founder and CEO Steve Perlman.
However, both Onlive and Gaikai's service have been criticised for offering an inferior experience to owning a dedicated games console.
Graphics are either shown at a lower resolution or with fewer frames per second. Players have also complained that it can take longer for their control pad commands to be registered.