Smart partners with Blacknut to bring console cloud gaming to Smart, TNT subscribers

Smart Communications has partnered with cloud gaming platform Blacknut to let Smart and TNT subscribers stream more than 1,000 console-quality games directly from their smartphones without needing a gaming console, gaming PC, or app downloads.

The new service allows subscribers to access Blacknut through their mobile browser, sign up using their Smart or TNT mobile number, and pay for a weekly subscription starting at PHP 145, charged directly to their prepaid load.

Why it matters: Cloud gaming removes many of the traditional barriers to console gaming, including expensive hardware, lengthy downloads, and large storage requirements. As long as users have a compatible device and a stable internet connection, they can play games streamed from remote servers almost instantly.

The details: Through the partnership, Smart and TNT subscribers can access Blacknut’s cloud gaming platform and choose from a catalog of more than 1,000 games across multiple genres.

The library includes well-known franchises such as NBA 2K, For Honor, Asphalt, Overcooked!, and several LEGO games, alongside indie titles and family-friendly experiences. Since the games are streamed through a mobile browser, users can begin playing within seconds without installing large game files.

To subscribe, users only need their Smart or TNT mobile number. After completing a one-time password verification, the weekly subscription fee of PHP 145 is deducted from their prepaid load before they can immediately access the platform.

Marjorie C. Garrovillo, First Vice President and Co-Officer-in-Charge at Smart, said the partnership reflects the company’s goal of giving more Filipinos access to emerging digital entertainment services.

“Our strategic partnership with Blacknut affirms Smart’s commitment to empowering more Filipinos with access to cutting-edge digital experiences and immersive online entertainment that cloud gaming brings,” Garrovillo said.

Lloyd R. Manaloto, First Vice President and Co-Officer-in-Charge at Smart, added that cloud gaming eliminates the need for costly gaming hardware while making premium gaming more accessible through Smart’s mobile network.

“Cloud gaming removes the biggest barriers to enjoy console-level gaming at your fingertips. Expensive hardware, long downloads, and limited storage. With Blacknut, we’re making high-quality gaming instantly accessible to our millions of subscribers, powered by our award-winning network,” he said.

Blacknut CEO Olivier Avaro said the partnership expands access to premium gaming for local players.

“We’re proud to partner with Smart in making premium, console-level gaming accessible locally, giving players new ways to game and have fun anytime, anywhere,” Avaro said.

The bigger picture: Cloud gaming has continued to grow globally as internet infrastructure improves. Instead of relying on powerful local hardware, games are processed in remote data centers and streamed to users in real time, much like video streaming services. This makes gaming more accessible across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other connected devices.

For mobile operators, cloud gaming also represents another high-bandwidth digital service that showcases the capabilities of modern mobile networks, particularly those with low latency and consistent speeds.

Between the lines: Smart is positioning its network performance as a key advantage for cloud gaming. Since player inputs must travel to cloud servers and return almost instantly, lower network latency directly affects responsiveness, especially in action, racing, and competitive multiplayer titles.

The company cited Ookla’s Speedtest Connectivity Report for the first and second quarters of 2025, which recognized Smart for delivering the country’s best mobile latency performance with a median latency of 45.88 milliseconds across all network technologies.

Smart also noted that Ookla recognized its network for the Best Mobile Video Experience based on Speedtest Intelligence data covering the third and fourth quarters of 2025, highlighting the importance of stable streaming performance for services such as cloud gaming.

For Filipinos: The service gives Smart and TNT subscribers another way to access premium gaming without investing in dedicated gaming hardware. For users with compatible smartphones and reliable mobile connectivity, the platform offers a lower-cost entry point into console-quality gaming through a weekly subscription instead of purchasing expensive devices.

It may also appeal to casual gamers who want to try premium titles without downloading games that can consume tens or even hundreds of gigabytes of storage.

What’s next: Smart and Blacknut are now offering the cloud gaming service to Smart and TNT subscribers through a weekly prepaid subscription. As cloud gaming adoption grows, the partnership could expand the availability of premium gaming experiences to more mobile users across the Philippines.

The Bottom Line: Smart’s partnership with Blacknut brings cloud gaming closer to mainstream Filipino consumers by allowing subscribers to stream over 1,000 console games directly from their smartphones for PHP 145 per week, removing the need for dedicated gaming hardware while leveraging the company’s mobile network.