Sling TV Launches Free Arcade Games on Live Streams
for free.
TAGS: Sling TV, Streaming, Gaming, Tech News, DISH
CONTEUDO:
DISH-owned streaming service Sling TV has officially entered the gaming space with the launch of its new platform, dubbed “Arcade.” The service allows users to access a library of classic games directly through their interface, bridging the gap between passive television viewing and interactive entertainment.
A Split-Screen Gaming Experience
The core feature of this rollout is the ability to play games on a split-screen while live television content remains active. Designed primarily to occupy users during commercial breaks, the platform also offers a full-screen mode for a more focused gaming session. Unlike competitors such as Netflix or YouTube, which restrict their gaming libraries to paid subscribers, Sling TV has made this feature available to both its standard subscribers and Sling Freestream users.
Launch Library and Future Expansion
At launch, the platform includes 10 titles, ranging from casual favorites to classic arcade staples:
- Tetris
- Wheel of Fortune
- Sweet Sugar
- Solitaire Clash
- Poker Online
- Doodle Jump
According to a company spokesperson, the library is set to grow every few months, with plans to include titles like Asteroids. Sling TV also intends to curate new game additions ahead of major events, such as the start of football season.
Partnerships and Technical Strategy
The current catalog is powered by a partnership with Play.Works, a provider of connected-TV gaming that has established distribution deals with major hardware players like Samsung, Vizio, Comcast, and Cox. While the company has not confirmed further partnerships, it remains open to all options—including potential acquisitions of independent studios—to scale its catalog. This strategy mirrors the approach taken by Netflix, which acquired six gaming companies following its entry into the market in 2021.
“We are exploring all possibilities to bring our customers the broadest game catalog and the best gaming experience possible,” a spokesperson stated.
Device Availability
As of now, the Arcade feature is compatible with Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Sling TV plans to expand support to most smart TVs within the coming month. However, the company has not yet provided a definitive timeline for when the service will arrive on Apple TV or Roku devices.
This initiative arrives as Sling TV seeks to differentiate itself in a challenging market. Following its merger with EchoStar, the company reported a decline of 65,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2023, bringing its total base to 2.06 million.
Gary Schanman, group president of DISH Video Services, framed the move as a shift in the platform’s identity. “Sling is now more than just TV,” Schanman said. “The new Arcade offering combines some great classic games with our great TV programming. No other streaming platform gives you access to more entertainment options for free.”
For more information on the new gaming integration, visit the official Sling Arcade page or review the company’s announcement.