Verizon today announced its GameTanium service -- $5.99 a month for all-you-can-eat gaming on Android smartphones and tablets. It's a pretty simple premise -- you pay, and get access to more than 100 games through the GameTanium hub. The advantage is that you pay once, play a lot. The subscription model, which we're a fan of, is what makes this not just another download hub, a la NVIDIA's Tegra Zone.
We've got video and the full presser after the break.
Verizon Wireless Introduces GameTanium™: First Game Subscription App For Android™ Devices Offering Unlimited Game Play
Service to Meet Consumer Demand for Mobile Gaming Across Smartphones and Tablets
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and NEW YORK, July 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless is giving mobile gaming a boost today with the launch of Exent's GameTanium™, a new mobile game subscription service for Android™ smartphones and tablets available now, exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers. Powered by Verizon Wireless' network, GameTanium provides unlimited access to more than 100 of the best Android smartphone games and more than 50 tablet games, including hits like Doodle God™, Fruit Ninja and World of Goo for the low monthly fee of $5.99 per device.
GameTanium takes the guesswork out of finding the best games while offering consumers the convenience of a one-stop gaming destination at a great value. The easy-to-use interface lets customers explore and discover high-quality games picked by Exent's editorial board. Enhanced editorial features such as parental ratings, rich game imagery and reviews immerse customers in the game before downloading. Plus, fast download speeds and no advertisements give customers uninterrupted game play.
"GameTanium provides our Android customers with unlimited access to more than 100 games at a great value," said Kristi Crum, executive director of marketing, Verizon Wireless. "Working with Exent has enabled us to immerse customers into the mobile gaming frontier and ultimately bring high-quality gaming options powered by 4G LTE."
"We are excited to bring the launch of the GameTanium smartphone and tablet service to Verizon Wireless' customer base," says Zvi Levgoren, founder and chief executive officer, Exent. "The speed and power of Verizon Wireless' network allows for a rich mobile gaming experience for Verizon Wireless customers to enjoy."
The GameTanium smartphone and tablet apps can be downloaded from Verizon Apps on more than 30 Android smartphones and two Android tablets, including DROID RAZR™ by Motorola, DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC and DROID XYBOARD 8.2 by Motorola. Customers are encouraged to try out the service with a free trial, providing unlimited access for three days. After the three-day trial, the service is $5.99 per month and will appear on customers' monthly bill. A Verizon Wireless data plan is required and usage may count towards a customer's data allowance.
GameTanium users can access an in-app Help Center with Frequently Asked Questions and live GameTanium Customer Support which provides phone, SMS chat and email support Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T.
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit www.verizonwireless.com.
Reader comments
Verizon gets a subscription gaming hub in GameTanium
sounds great, but I'm outside US :D
Interesting idea, but the price is too high. For $5.99/mo, you can buy enough games to fill your time outright, and they'll still be yours without continually paying the fee. This is even truer when you consider the games they are highlighting. Great games, but also inexpensive ones. I just don't see this being much of a value unless you game on your phone for hours a day.
How much bandwidth will streaming a game require? Is it like Google Music, where a game remains cached on your device for a period of time? Is it more Napster-style (and others), where the apps are downloaded, but only work when the subscription is active? Or are you streaming the screen output from an app on the remote server?
Seems like data usage could be a concern if they are highlighting the "powered by 4G LTE" phrases alongside this.
That is the plan get people to use more data and pay higher rates while charging them for it.
This sounds like the typical Verizon idea to me just like VZ Navigator.
with verizon's new ripoff tier data scam, they are pushing as hard as they can to get those on it to go over their data limits. They designed the tier to do this and basically double the prices from what they used to be. Verizon plans on getting netflix on demand too just in time for people to not be able to use it for their ridiculous limited data.
ah, but then what happens when you want to play games on a non-VZ device? Out of luck, I would suppose? The pricing model screams too expensive. I think this would be good for people that only have a VZ device(s) and/or people who only play a game for a short amount of time thus negating the replay value of owning a title.
*edit* that doesn't look like the Google play store at ALL /s
are you drunk or high?
I guess you're not following, this would be a replacement for VZ customers instead of buying games, correct?
If you're a VZ customer and you have a VZ smart phone and a NON VZ tablet, you are either going to be buying games anyway for your tab or paying for both? Not only that but this is PER device.
It's not a "replacement" - its more like GameFly for mobile. It only makes since that you must have a charge for each device. Do you honestly believe "unlimited access" to games on multiple devices for only $6 a month is practical?
Yeah this sounds like another way to run up ya data bill
Everything is going to subscription models. I'd rather buy the games to have...but maybe I'm in the minority.
You're not alone, sub models hold no value for me. I would much rather be able to have a copy to do with what I want.
I think I'll continue with my current method. Keeping an eye out for deals/sales and pick up games for pennies on the dollar when they go on sale or are offered free from Amazon.
As it is I've got a huge backlist of quality games to play that I got for about 1/4 of their regular prices.
Maybe this makes sense for someone who games on their phone constantly, but I'm betting that person already has a PS Vita.
-Suntan
And it eats all your data. Shouldn't it come with data?????????? FAIL VERIZON
This is like paying for navigation services when Google Navigator comes preloaded on your device.
And then with no unlimited data you can feel the big glob of Vaseline being applied to Verizon customers posteriors.