PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications announced that it’s struck a partnership with global cloud gaming firm Blacknut to bring console-level gaming to mobile users in the Philippines.
Cloud gaming allows users to play games instantly through their mobile browser, with gameplay rendered in real time on cloud servers. That means mobile customers can play console-quality games without needing to buy a gaming console or PC, or having to download an app or a large file.
The partnership enables Smart and TNT customers to subscribe to Blacknut’s cloud gaming service and play more than 1,000 titles that are streamed directly via a mobile browser. Weekly subscriptions start at PHP145, which is charged directly to the user’s prepaid load.
Smart said the partnership is made possible via its network’s latency capabilities. Ookla’s Speedtest Connectivity Report for Q1–Q2 2025 logged a median latency of 45.88 ms across all of Smart’s network technologies.
"Cloud gaming removes the biggest barriers to enjoy console-level gaming at your fingertips — expensive hardware, long downloads, and limited storage,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and co-OIC at Smart, in a statement. “With Blacknut, we’re making high-quality gaming instantly accessible to our millions of subscribers, powered by our award-winning network.”
