Unity opens games portal to LG Smart TVs

Games developers using Unity’s popular 3D engine will soon have the option to distribute their games to LG’s new range of smart TVs, both companies have announced.

Developers won’t be able to individually port their games to the TV sets. Unity’s Union publishing service will act as a go-between, allowing games to be sold through LG’s 2012 line of televisions.

The deal further expands the range of systems that Unity supports, which already includes popular digital platforms such as iPhone, XBLA, PSN and PC.

LG, which in final financial quarter of 2011 reported a net loss of £69 million, is now betting its future television business on all-in-one internet-connected systems. Its 2012 range of HDTV models will package an advanced video processor that could enable a wide variety of video games to be played without need for a console.

“The television technology LG is introducing this year is very impressive and offers an incredible opportunity for the developers under the Union umbrella to reach a new market,” said Unity CEO David Helgason.

“Our goal with Union is to create new avenues of distribution for developers using Unity, and LG smart TVs are creating a massive and new gaming audience.”