E3: Samsung Signs Smart TV Cloud Gaming Deal with Gaikai

Samsung is to introduce a cloud-based video games service to its premium TVs.

It has signed a deal with Gaikai to use the California-based firm’s streaming technology to let its customers play titles written for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 without having to own one of the consoles.

(Photo copyright Abe Olandres/Yugatech)

The tie-up was announced at the E3 games trade show in Los Angeles.

It appears to confound rumours that Gaikai was on the verge of being taken over by Sony.

Samsung said the service would be made available on its Smart Hub environment on high-end televisions released this year.

It will initially be restricted to the US where users will shortly be invited to sign up to a trial.

Console competitor

“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,” said Kyung-shik Lee, vice president of Samsung Electronics’ visual display business.

Gaikai’s chief executive David Perry added: “Together, we will turn Samsung Smart TVs into a console-like experience capable of delivering the best-selling video games and other content instantly to consumers – no downloads, no extra hardware, no trips to the store.”

The cloud gaming company was founded in 2008 and to date has focused on offering users the chance to play demonstrations of console-designed games via web browsers.

Samsung will pay the company a fee to use its cloud technology and then strike separate deals with games publishers to allow owners of its televisions to buy access to full titles.