KT Introduces GameBox Cloud-based Game Streaming Service

KT Corp., a South Korean telecom operator, on Wednesday introduced its cloud-based game streaming service named GameBox, joining other telecom companies to secure the local cloud game market.

KT launched a Korean-style game streaming platform that would spark interest in the gaming communities throughout the country. The company intends to lessen the competitive gap in the gaming industry against foreign tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia.

Yi Seong-hwan, senior vice president of KT’s 5G/GIGA Business Unit, stated that the company opted to create Korean-based gaming content to better focus more on Korean users. KT chose to develop the Korean market-specialized over-the-top service instead of teaming up with international gaming platforms that would limit the game due to dependence on foreign content.

Flexibility and Suitability for Local Customers

KT intended to provide a platform that offers flexibility and suitability for local customers. The company worked with Ubitus, a Taiwan-based cloud software company seven months ago, to conduct beta tests of its cloud-based game service. KT also collaborated with local gaming companies such as NHN and Smilegate.

The GameBox runs console and PC games via Android phones with cloud technology and provides 100 games on launching, including Borderlands 3. The service would soon expand to Apple’s IOS platform, PCs, and KT’s IPTVs, and a gaming controller exclusively designed for GameBox in October this year.

Additionally, KT partnered with AKSYS to create an exclusive gamepad for the GameBox set to release in September.

The gaming service applies to both 4G and 5G LTE phones. However, it performs best on 5G due to its low latency and the amount of data needed in game streaming.

GameBox’s monthly subscription costs 9,900 won ($8.35), with a special promo discount of 50 percent, which reduces the amount to 4,950 won ($4.18) until the end of this year. The company also highlighted that it offers the lowest subscription rates in the business and have no hidden fees.

KT intends to draw 50,000 subscribers within the next three months and reach 1 million subscribers by 2022.