AMD, Happy Cloud Partnering To Stream Windows Games To Connected TVs

A partnership between AMD and streaming services provider Happy Cloud aims to bring streaming versions of high-end Windows games directly to compatible internet-connected TVs in the next year or so. The streaming game service will be available on TVs that include AMD's embedded G-Series platform, which combines a low-power-consumption CPU and DirectX 11 graphics capabilities on a single chip. The chip-maker is looking to sign deals with TV manufacturers in the next six months or so, in order to get supported TVs on store shelves "in time for the 2012 holiday season at the latest." Happy Cloud currently has the rights to stream only 20 Windows titles, but the company says a new partner agreement means it will soon be able to offer "a catalog of over 2,000 games," which it plans to offer for digital purchase or through a subscription plan. Happy Cloud also claims its patent-pending streaming technology improves on competitors like OnLive and Gaikai by using an Akamai-powered data network that includes "100,000 points of presence" and requires less investment in physical infrastructure. "Offering the Happy Cloud service as part of our STB reference design gives our set-top box and integrated TV customers an integrated out-of-the-box solution to help broaden their market reach into on-demand gaming,” said AMD director of embedded solutions Buddy Broeker, in a statement.