Playcast Media Launches Unlimited Streaming Video Game Service
Are streaming video games really the future? Sony's having enough
trouble as-is convincing consumers that the PSPgo is a worthwhile
purchase given that it cannot accept UMD titles, and InstantAction
recently decided to give up and sell their own technology. But there's
still some fight left in Playcast Media. The company has today announced
a high-end video game streaming service that will actually stream games
to end-users rather than forcing them to buy discs or download/store
huge files from Steam.
The service is set at 10 Euros per month, and that's for "all you can play" with AAA video game titles. At first, the service will launch with Portugal Telecom, and the lineup of software partners is fairly impressive. They include Activision, Atari, Disney, Capcom, Codemasters, THQ, Strategy First and others, and none of these require a console or the video game software to play.
At first, this will be streamed to PC only. So you'll need a USB controller or a customizable mouse/keyboard setup to play these back on your LCD. But in the future, the carrier hopes to integrate the service into their set-top boxes in order to bring streaming games directly to the television. The service, launched under Portugal Telecom’s Meo brand, is offered over the carrier’s FTTH network infrastructure, and is to be available exclusively to its subscribers. The games are executed, rendered and streamed from Portugal Telecom’s data centers as an MPEG stream to consumers, using the high quality, low latency FTTH access network, and are played with a Meo branded gamepad. Verizon's FiOS network in America seems primed to carry something like this, but as of now there are no North American deals in the works. One can hope, though!
The service is set at 10 Euros per month, and that's for "all you can play" with AAA video game titles. At first, the service will launch with Portugal Telecom, and the lineup of software partners is fairly impressive. They include Activision, Atari, Disney, Capcom, Codemasters, THQ, Strategy First and others, and none of these require a console or the video game software to play.
At first, this will be streamed to PC only. So you'll need a USB controller or a customizable mouse/keyboard setup to play these back on your LCD. But in the future, the carrier hopes to integrate the service into their set-top boxes in order to bring streaming games directly to the television. The service, launched under Portugal Telecom’s Meo brand, is offered over the carrier’s FTTH network infrastructure, and is to be available exclusively to its subscribers. The games are executed, rendered and streamed from Portugal Telecom’s data centers as an MPEG stream to consumers, using the high quality, low latency FTTH access network, and are played with a Meo branded gamepad. Verizon's FiOS network in America seems primed to carry something like this, but as of now there are no North American deals in the works. One can hope, though!
Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media launch high-end video games streaming service
Service set at 10 Euros for “all you can play” AAA video games package
Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media announce the commercial launch of a new high-end video games service, available on Portugal Telecom’s platform.
The launch takes place today, November 11 at the Sapo Codebits exhibition, a major event showcasing the latest national and international talent in the field of technology and digital media. A live broadcast of the inaugural launch will be showcased at the exhibition alongside demonstrations and speeches from Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media's chief executives.
This launch marks the start of affordable access to mass markets of the best games from major publishers including: Activision, Atari, Disney, Capcom, Codemasters, THQ, Strategy First and others, without the need of a console or the video games software.
The commercial model is based on a multi-screen (PC right now and TV in the near future) subscription for a fixed monthly fee of 9,99 Euros per month, for which subscribers can play without any limitations of time or usage. The games catalogue consists of 100% next generation video games titles, including some of the best and newest brands, with a mix of genres, including first person shooters, racers, fighting, action as well as children and family games.
The service, launched under Portugal Telecom’s Meo brand, is offered over the carrier’s FTTH network infrastructure, and is to be available exclusively to its subscribers. The games are executed, rendered and streamed from Portugal Telecom’s data centers as an MPEG stream to consumers, using the high quality, low latency FTTH access network, and are played with a Meo branded gamepad.
Guy de Beer, CEO Playcast Media said: “The new platform brings endless hours of game-play directly to users. This appeal to the mass market, rather than the niche of core gamers, dictates challenging value for money targets. The partnership with Portugal Telecom brings the service, marketing, and omni-presence required to guarantee the highest quality at affordable prices”.
Zeinal Bava, CEO of Portugal Telecom, stated that "Portugal Telecom has been investing in the transformation of its business model in the residential segment of its market and has a proven track record of monetizing innovative applications. For years, revenues of video gaming have been largely inaccessible to our platforms. Through the partnership with Playcast, we will be able to participate in this market and monetize the potential of gaming in our customer base. This is what we do best – bring to our customers innovative value added services which are leading edge and offer great value for money”.
