Plex, the multimedia software maker that has expanded into streaming in recent years, is once again adding to its service with today's launch of game streaming. Unlike other game streaming businesses from companies like Microsoft or Google, the new "Plex Arcade" doesn't focus on the best gaming titles and new releases, but rather on retro games. At launch, the service offers around 30 games, including titles like Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Adventure, and Ninja Golf.
The game streaming service was created by Plex's in-house incubator, Plex Labs, and represents more of a passion project for the company, rather than a broader change of direction, we're told. The technology to make it available was already 95% built, so the team decided to put together the game streaming service as a surprise for users, as well as a way to expand Plex's core mission of becoming a broader entertainment platform. .
The company says it has actually kicked the idea of adding games to Plex for years, but over the course of 2020 in particular, the team was drawn to the idea even more out of self-interest and a need for distraction.
The game service was created with the help of new partner Parsec and its underlying low-latency streaming technology, Plex says. This made it possible to bring fully playable game libraries to Plex.
To create the game library, Plex partnered with Atari to license a catalog of classic titles.
At launch, the full list of games includes: 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, Adventure, Alien Brigade, Aquaventure, Asteroids, Avalanche, Basketbrawl, Centipede, Combat, Dark Chambers, Desert Falcon, Fatal Run, Food Fight (Charley Chuck's), Gravitar, Haunted House, Human Cannonball, Lunar Battle, Lunar Lander, Major Havoc, Millipede, Missile Command, Motor Psycho, Ninja Golf, Outlaw, Planet Smashers, Radar Lock, Sky Diver, Sky Raider, Solaris and Super Breakout.
Due to the partnership and licensing costs involved in the project, Plex Arcade will not be a free addition.
Instead, it will be offered as a separate subscription for $ 2.99 per month for existing Plex Pass subscribers (Plex's existing $ 4.99 / month plan). For non-subscribers, Plex Arcade costs $ 4.99 per month. A 7-day free trial is also available.
Plex Arcade's server will require running Windows or Mac (due to Parsec limitations), which means it won't run on Linux, NAS devices, or NVIDIA Shield. The game, meanwhile, is limited to iOS, Android (mobile or TV), tvOS, and the Chrome web browser.
It will also support Bluetooth and USB game controllers compatible with your device, or you can use a keyboard for Chrome-based games. Plex recommends the Sony DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller for the best results.
The company is taking a wait-and-see approach to expanding the service over time. If it demonstrates interest and traction in the form of subscriptions, Plex might consider further growth.
Plex Arcade is the latest addition to what is now a growing line of entertainment options for Plex users.
In recent years, the multimedia software company has gone beyond being a tool for organizing home media collections to allow users to do things like stream live TV shows from an antenna or via the web, listen to music and podcasts. , watch supported movie and TV advertising content, watch the news and more.
These efforts are slowly paying off in terms of user growth. In 2017, Plex had 10 million registered users. A couple of years later, he had 15 million. Today, Plex claims to have 25 million users.
Plex Arcade is available today.
