Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) has confirmed that it will end its beta trial of the Electronics Arts-powered Xfinity Games feature on the X1 platform.
"Our Xfinity Games trial was a beta that we used to experiment with gaming applications on X1," Comcast said in a statement. "We learned a lot and our curiosity and interest in gaming on the X1 platform remains high and we'll continue to experiment."
Earlier, DSL Reports cited an unnamed source as saying the Xfinity Games beta was being shuttered on April 12 with no plans to revive it.
"EA pulled their financial and staffing commitment and has no intention of supporting the trial further," the DSL Reports source said.
Under a partnership with Electronic Arts, the cable company has begun streaming 20 video games to X1 subscribers back in 2013, allowing them to play games such as Plants vs. Zombies and PGA Tour using Apple and Android smart phones and tablets as controllers.
For the beta, the games were free. They required no downloads or special hardware to play. Comcast was considering a range of monetization possibilities, including monthly subscription fees and a la carte pricing.
In a blog post published last July, the MSO openly touted the beta trial, optimistically noting, "Comcast and EA are working hard to enhance and refine this new gaming experience and we look forward to making it available to many more customers soon. We'll grow the catalog of games as we add more great experiences over the next year."
For more:
- read this DSL Reports story
- read this Multichannel News story
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