DISH-owned streaming service Sling TV introduced at this time the launch of its new gaming platform known as “Arcade,” that includes traditional arcade video games like Tetris, Wheel of Fortune, Candy Sugar, Solitaire Conflict, Poker On-line and Doodle Soar, amongst others.
Notably, the expertise is free for Sling TV and Sling Freestream clients, and so they can play video games on a split-screen whereas concurrently watching stay TV content material — offering leisure throughout industrial breaks. Sling TV additionally permits customers to broaden to full display screen to have a extra immersive taking part in expertise. In the meantime, Netflix’s and YouTube’s gaming choices are just for paid subscribers.
Sling TV says that 10 video games shall be accessible at launch. New titles are to be added each few months, together with Astroids and different titles, an organization spokesperson instructed TechCrunch. Sling may even introduce new video games earlier than huge occasions like soccer season.
The present recreation choice is because of Sling’s partnership with Play.Works, a connected-TV video games supplier that distributes video games on greater than 200 million televisions, and has teamed up with varied main TV firms like Comcast, Cox, Samsung, Vizio and extra. Sling didn’t say if it could companion with different gaming firms to broaden its gaming library, however we wouldn’t be stunned if it did. There’s additionally a chance that Sling acquires unbiased studios and builders. When Netflix launched video games in 2021, the streaming big went on a shopping for spree as a part of its gaming push, buying six firms to assist construct out its assortment of titles.
“We’re exploring all potentialities to carry our clients the broadest recreation catalog and one of the best gaming expertise potential,” the spokesperson instructed us.
Arcade is at present solely on Amazon Fireplace TV and Android TV. Sling is including help for extra units within the subsequent month, together with most good TVs. Nonetheless, the spokesperson stated the corporate couldn’t share a particular date for when it’ll be accessible for Apple TV and Roku.
Lately, Sling has struggled to maintain subscribers, however Arcade might set the streamer other than opponents because it provides distinctive and interactive leisure for customers. Dish, which just lately merged with EchoStar, reported a lack of 65,000 Sling TV subscribers within the fourth quarter of 2023, bringing the whole to 2.06 million. It misplaced 77,000 subs in the identical interval a 12 months prior.
“Sling is now extra than simply TV,” Gary Schanman, group president of DISH Video Companies, stated in an official assertion. “We would like individuals to get pleasure from their leisure simply as a lot as we do. The brand new Arcade providing combines some nice traditional video games with our nice TV programming. No different streaming platform provides you entry to extra leisure choices at no cost.”
Up to date 3/7/24 at 12:10 p.m. ET with feedback from the corporate.
