GameStop beta testing console streaming

GameStop is beta testing its online streaming of PS3 and Xbox 360 games, thanks to its acquisition of Spawn Labs. The company is expected to roll out the service next year.

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GameStop is putting its acquisition of Spawn Labs to work, already beta testing streaming PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 games. The company is expected to offer it as a consumer service in mid-2012.

"Spawn recently began its first beta and is currently live, testing streaming of Xbox 360, PS3, and PC games from a data center in Austin, Texas," said GameStop president Tony Bartel.

GamesIndustry.biz reports that the plan is ultimately to offer the streaming to smart devices and dedicated hardware, a la Gaikai and OnLive. GameStop is expected to talk about the service in more detail in early 2012, along with pricing.

Referring to dedicated hardware, Bartel says those issues are still being discussed. "Those conversations are taking place today," he said. "There's a whole cadre of services that GameStop can offer far beyond just Spawn. The beauty of Spawn is it can take a very large assortment of games. There's really no restriction versus an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game.

"We're also experimenting with PC game delivery as well, but we can take that to any Internet-connected device including TV. So clearly, it's part of our acquisition forethought. We anticipated being involved in smart TVs as well."

It was recently revealed that OnLive is currently in talks with Sony and Microsoft, so GameStop and OnLive could be racing to offer their service to more than just PC titles. Still, GameStop carries a lot of sway due to its status as a retail behemoth, a clear advantage the company has over OnLive.

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  • reply
    August 19, 2011 7:30 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, GameStop beta testing console streaming.

    GameStop is beta testing its online streaming of PS3 and Xbox 360 games, thanks to its acquisition of Spawn Labs. The company is expected to roll out the service next year.

    • reply
      August 19, 2011 8:12 AM

      I bet you won't be able to stream PS3 games on the 360 and vice versa as I remember Sony getting quite angry about their Movies being streamed on the 360. I am sure they aren't going to be thrilled at the prospect of their games namely exclusives being streamed to another platform.

      If each platform is going to be pretty much limited to streaming their own games, then what is the point of the service other then eating up bandwidth. Most people would probably opt for games on demand or just a GameFly type rental service.

      • reply
        August 19, 2011 8:21 AM

        wait what

      • reply
        August 19, 2011 8:22 AM

        It's an onlive type solution. Games are streamed to a dedicated gamestop box you connect to pc / tv.

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