LG’s webOS Smart TVs are getting console-free game streaming via GameFly

By Kris Wouk March 2, 2016

LG Signature OLED G6 — Rich Shibley/Digital Trends

LG’s webOS-powered smart TVs can already do a whole lot when it comes to fulfilling your entertainment needs, but next month they’re about to get even better with the addition of video game streaming.

LG Electronics USA announced yesterday that it would be teaming up with GameFly to bring the game streaming service to company’s TVs, including its high-end OLED models. This isn’t new for GameFly, as it currently offers similar streaming features on Samsung smart TVs, though it is a new move for LG.

“The addition of GameFly to the extensive variety of content options, including leading video and music applications, available on LG Smart TVs further enhances the LG Smart TV experience,” vice president of marketing for LG Electronics USA David VanderWaal said. “LG Smart TV owners will have the ability to stream high-quality video games right to their TV and enjoy a next-gen, console-like experience in the comfort of their home.”

GameFly uses a subscription model similar to Netflix and other video streaming services, though with more options. The service offers genre-themed “packs,” which bundle together games like Tomb Raider: Game of the Year Edition, Batman: Arkham Origins, F.E.A.R. 3, Darksiders and Red Faction Armageddon, though single-game ala carte rentals are available as well.

This only hardware needed to power the games is the TVs themselves, though you will need to provide your own controller. GameFly recommends a few different controllers including the standard wired Xbox controller, as well as the Logitech F310 and F710, which can be found online for around $20 and $40, respectively.

LG doesn’t specify which exact models of TVs will get the update, instead simply saying that the game streaming will be available on its 2016 webOS 3.0 smart TVs as well as its 2015 webOS 2.0 smart TVs. The new feature will arrive as part of a software update in late April.

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Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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