Over the top video companies and game console makers are rushing to make sure that video streaming apps that were available on the last generation of game consoles will also be available on the new. Verizon’s Redbox Instant announced it will be on Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s Playstation4, while Sony released a list of video providers that will be resident on the new PS4.
Led by Time Warner Cable and Comcast, MSOs have been working with the major game console makers to get their streaming apps hosted as well.
Redbox Instant had been available on the Xbox 360 since earlier this year. It will also be available on the Playstation4 starting on November 15 and on the Xbox One starting on November 22.
Handing out meaningless virtual awards and trophies apparently works well enough to encourage usage that Redbox Instant is going to keep doing it. The company noted that it will continue with handing out “Blackjack!” awards to users who watch 21 movies, and “Fearless” awards for horror fans who watch 10 frightening films. Redbox Instant will also support features exclusive to Xbox One including: Hero Stats, OneGuide channel, Snap mode and Pins.
Kathy Styponias, general manager, interactive entertainment business at Microsoft said, “The Redbox Instant by Verizon team took full advantage of the Xbox One architecture and re-built the app from the ground-up to bring to life awesome features like media achievements and the app channel on OneGuide.”
Sony Computer Entertainment America meanwhile announced a line-up of digital entertainment apps that include Redbox Instant that will all be available on the PlayStation4 beginning November 15.
The OTT video apps include Amazon Instant Video, Sony’s own Crackle, Crunchyroll, which specializes in anime, Epix, Hulu Plus, NBA Game Time, Netflix, NHL GameCenter LIVE, Vudu, and YuppTV, which specializes in programming from India.
