Netgem launches videogame offering for operators

TV technology and services provider Netgem has launched Gaming Avenue, a white label videogame streaming service aimed at operators.

Netgem has partnered with GameFly Streaming – a company that lets people play premium console games streamed through smart TVs or streaming media players.

Netgem has integrated GameFly onto its set-top boxes and will let customers pay a monthly fee to play a catalogue of games– including Tomb Raider Game of the Year, Batman: Arkham Origins, F.E.A.R. 3, Darksiders and Red Faction Armageddon.

A family-friendly bundle of GameFly-provided casual games will be available that includes titles like Lego Batman 3, Pacman Championship Edition and WRC4.

Also included in Gaming Avenue will be casual games provided by Visiware International and Couchplay Games. Between them these two companies will provide a catalogue of 300 titles.

Totalplay in Mexico is Netgem’s first operator to deploy Gaming Avenue, and the platform is available now to other service providers.
“Consumers are increasingly demanding access to a full suite of connected entertainment services based on a range of content solutions and telecoms operators are well placed to deliver cost-effective entertainment bundles,” said Sylvain Thevenot, managing director of Netgem Europe.

“With the addition of the new Gaming Avenue featuring GameFly Streaming, Netgem is empowering its telco clients to offer their customers a holistic entertainment experience of TV, music and gaming through one simple and consistent experience.”

The Gaming Avenue release follows Netgem’s recent launch of Music Avenue, a multi-room music aggregation and playout service that is also aimed at operators.

The cloud-based service incorporates multi-source discovery and personalisation capabilities to deliver audio content around the home and on-the-go.

Netgem said that the gaming and music offerings are part of its strategy to move from connected TV services into connected entertainment and represents its first step towards its ‘Netgem Connected Home’ ambitions.

Speaking to DTVE at IBC, Netgem’s head of marketing and content, Nathalie Hughes, said that eventually Netgem aims to branch into other aspects of the connected home, including smart security and smart heating controls.

Though these applications are not currently on Netgem’s development roadmap, Hughes said that it will be looking to support these and other connected home functions in the coming years.