DirecTV Enters Casual Gaming Market With Game Lounge

Officials from major U.S. satellite television service provider DirecTV have announced the launch of Game Lounge, a new interactive casual and children's gaming channel now available exclusively on the service. In conjunction with the new channel, the company has also entered into a long term, exclusive partnership with Mattel for the use of all of its brands to develop a line of children’s games exclusive to Game Lounge. Described as a platform rather than simply another satellite channel, Game Lounge features several casual game categories including puzzle, word, card, educational and arcade style games based upon popular IP such as Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Tak and the Power of Juju. In addition to children’s games, Game Lounge will also offer a variety of casual games, including Bejeweled 2, Sudoku, Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee and Black Jack. In addition, through the company's partnership with SkillJam, a multi-channel provider of skill-gaming technology and solutions, players will also be able to compete against other DirecTV subscribers for tokens, cash and prizes. Although these games do not require any specialized equipment, and can be played using a standard DirecTV remote control, access to these titles does require that DirecTV subscribers have a special interactive receiver. Access to the service is also available on a monthly or play-per-day pricing structure. “Game Lounge’s unique platform is engaging the minds of both parents and children and bringing family game night back to DirecTV households across the country,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DirecTV Entertainment. “Game Lounge gives families an alternative way to play games together, using a medium that kids are used to while also playing in a controlled environment that parents are comfortable with.” He added: “Working with industry leaders such as Mattel and Nickelodeon, as well as our unique distribution structure, will make the Game Lounge platform incomparable to any other television service provider in the market.”