In collaboration with Microsoft, SK Telecom launched on Wednesday the subscription service “SKT 5GX Cloud Game” for cloud-based games powered by “Xbox Game Pass Ultimate” in South Korea.
The 5GX Cloud Game service launched in 22 countries, including South Korea, U.S., Canada, France, and Germany. However, South Korea is the only country in Asia to offer Xbox’s cloud gaming service. The launch is a global test to determine if gaming streaming services could become mainstream.
For a monthly fee of 16,700 won (US$14), gamers could play more than 100 great games from Microsoft’s Xbox Catalog. According to SK Telecom, players only need Android supported devices and a controller to access and play the games.
Subscribers could opt for the “Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Controller Pack” bundled service, which includes a 1-year Xbox Game Pass ultimate membership and an Xbox dedicated controller. The package is available at 22,000 won (US$19) per month on a 12-month payment plan.
Delivering a New Gaming Experience
SK Telecom would support cloud gaming services through its 5G network with ultra-low latency and super-fast speeds. This would allow gamers to enjoy real-time playing, hoping that the SKT 5GX Cloud Game would become one of the most popular gaming services in South Korea.
In July, SK Telecom, along with KT Corp. and LG Uplus, pledged an investment of up to 25.7 trillion won (US$21.4 billion) for the development and expansion of 5G infrastructure in the country by 2022. The move came after President Moon Jae-in presented the Korean “New Deal,” which pledged to pioneer future technologies and industries in the post-COVID 19 era.
The telecom company added that users with 4G LTE network and those from other mobile carriers could also avail of the cloud gaming service. Gamers could register through the 5GX Cloud Game website, customer service T world, or SKT stores across the country.
“Connecting gamers is core to what we do, and having a great partner like SKT to enable best-in-class mobile gaming for customers is critical to that mission.”
– Phil Spencer, head of Xbox at Microsoft
He added that cloud gaming would allow gamers worldwide to enjoy and have more freedom when playing with friends and family.
“With SKT 5GX Cloud Game powered by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, we will realize a new level of experience for users of 5G-based cloud gaming in Korea.”
-Ryu Young-sang, President and Head of MNO Division at SK Telecom
Ryu added that SK Telecom would expand the cloud game ecosystem by increasing collaboration with domestic game developers. The company aims to achieve 1 million subscribers by 2023.
SK Telecom and Microsoft jointly ran a beta version service called Project xCloud for about a year in Korea.
SKT 5GX 클라우드게임 출시기념 Early Bird 이벤트🎉
원하는 시간 , 원하는 장소에서
Xbox 게임을 제한없이 이용해 보세요 🤲지금 가입하시면 갤럭시노트20 , Xbox 정품 컨트롤러 등 푸짐한 경품이 쏟아집니다!
📍Early Bird 이벤트 자세히 보기 https://t.co/dax4TNa1RJ#5GX클라우드게임 pic.twitter.com/EHj9XEfZ0f
— 5GX CLOUD GAME (@sktcloudgame) September 17, 2020
