GameTap service to support Intel's Viiv platform

Turner Broadcasting, owner of the GameTap broadband games and entertainment service, has announced the network's support for Intel's new Viiv technology platform.

GameTap, which launched last October, allows subscribers to access hundreds of games for USD 14.95 per month. There are over 300 titles on offer from more than 20 publishers, including EA, Ubisoft, Vivendi and Sega.

Now a "10 foot" version of GameTap will use Viiv technology to allow subscribers to play titles they've downloaded on their television, via a PC running the 2005 edition of Windows XP Media Center. Games will be playable with wireless USB controllers - including Xbox 360 joypads - and Media Center Edition remote controls.

"For all of us who love playing video games, GameTap's effort to bring its huge selection of video games to the comfort of the couch is ground-breaking," said Intel's Kevin Corbett.

"Adding this type of experience to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs furthers our goal of bringing new forms of interactive entertainment to the living room."

GameTap general manager Stuart Snyder added: "Playing GameTap just got better for consumers as we take the experience beyond the PC environment and into virtually any room in the home."

"The ability to expand the playground to a large screen and experience the network in a bigger way brings the consumer into an even more immersive world of video games and makes playing even more compelling."