EA: Connected TV a 'major opportunity' for gaming

Earlier today, sources told Bloomberg that current platform holders Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo could soon be under pressure from major cable companies like Verizon and Comcast, which are reportedly looking to expand into cloud-gaming. Electronic Arts was specifically called out in the report as a potential partner, and at the time, the studio had nothing to say. But that has changed.

EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg told GameSpot today that connected TV experiences like those mentioned in the report, while a potentially lucrative prospect, are not one of the company's immediate objectives.

“Connected TV represents a major opportunity for gaming on the five-year horizon," Reseburg said. "It’s long-term opportunity, but it’s another technology that has a lot of potential to dramatically expand our audience.”

If the report proves accurate, Verizon, Comcast, AT&T, and Time Warner will all launch their own cloud-gaming efforts by 2014. Players would use generic controllers instead of inputs from Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo, and some of these carriers are reportedly exploring software that turns smartphones into controllers.