With game streaming service OnLive having aligned itself with LG for its big push at E3, so rival Gaikai has partnered up with electronics giant Samsung.

The two companies have come together to launch a new cloud-based games platform for Samsung's range of Smart TVs, delivering games "instantaneously" to users without lengthy download times or additional hardware.

Going beta

Samsung Cloud Gaming, which naturally employs Gaikai's games streaming technology, is set to be put through its paces via a beta test in the US.

Games will be launched directly from the Samsung Smart Hub - as featured in the firm's high end Smart TVs for 2012 – with what's described as a "diverse selection of AAA content" utilising additional game controllers on board.

"Our vision is to provide the same access to video games that consumers enjoy with TV shows, movies and music," said GaiKai CEO David Perry.

"Samsung is the largest TV manufacturer in the world and Gaikai is the industry-recognised fastest cloud-based streaming service for video games.

"Together, we will turn Samsung Smart TVs into a console-like experience capable of delivering the best-selling video games and other content instantly to consumers – no downloads, no extra hardware, no trips to the store."

Smart move

Heavy speculation had suggested Sony was looking to acquire either Gaikai or OnLive to deploy cloud-based gaming within new PlayStation hardware, though it appears both parties' route to the living room now lies within smart TV platforms.

"One of Samsung's key strengths lies in bringing brand new technology and entertainment products to our consumers, and adding Gaikai to our Smart TVs delivers both," added Samsung Electronics VP of the firm's visual display business, Kyung-shik Lee.

"Working together we are proud to bring the biggest blockbuster video games straight onto Samsung televisions, significantly adding to the value of the Smart TV platform, as well as giving digital consumers an entirely new way to try and buy video games from the convenience of their living rooms."