GameStop testing console game streaming service

A new cloud gaming consumer service, streaming 360 and PS3 games, is expected next year. A closed beta will start by end of 2011.

US specialist-retail giant, GameStop, is currently involved in beta testing the streaming of PS3 and 360 games, GamesIndustry reports. The roll-out of a consumer service is intended for mid-2012.

GameStop bought Spawn Labs earlier this year, facilitating a cloud gaming service and promising "a wide selection of high-definition video games on demand on any internet-enabled device."

The company revealed that as well as working on the streaming of PC games it's also working with publishers to offer console games to both smart devices and dedicated hardware via the Spawn software client.

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

A closed beta will begin by the end of the year, with full roll-out expected in the months following.

The service would put GameStop in competition with Gaikai and OnLive in the US, with the latter service making its way to the UK next month.

Speaking of the company's ambitions, Bartel 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."