Smart, Blacknut Put Cloud Gaming on Display at PGDX 2026
Cloud gaming took center stage at the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) 2026 as Smart Communications showcased how players can access console- and PC-quality games directly from their smartphones without the need for dedicated gaming hardware.
Smart served as the main presenter of the three-day gaming and game development event held from July 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, bringing its recently launched partnership with cloud gaming service Blacknut directly to Filipino gamers.
The event gathered game developers, publishers, creators, and gaming enthusiasts while highlighting technologies and services shaping the country’s growing gaming ecosystem.
Cloud Gaming Gets a Hands-On Showcase
At the Smart booth, attendees were able to experience Blacknut Cloud Gaming firsthand, playing games streamed directly to their smartphones.
Smart and TNT subscribers can access a library of more than 1,000 console- and PC-quality titles through Blacknut, eliminating the need to purchase a gaming console or high-end PC or download large game files.
Instead, the games are processed remotely and streamed to the player’s device, similar to how movies and series are delivered through streaming platforms.
Weekly subscriptions start at P145 and can be charged directly to a subscriber’s prepaid load following OTP verification.
Visitors at PGDX were also able to participate in activities at the Smart booth, with gaming skin codes among the prizes available during the event.
Building Around the Filipino Gaming Community
Beyond giving players another way to access games, Smart positioned its presence at PGDX as part of a broader push to support the country’s gaming community.
“Gaming continues to be one of the fastest-growing passions among Filipinos, and Smart is committed to enabling richer digital experiences through reliable connectivity and meaningful partnerships like Blacknut,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and OIC of Smart.
“Our participation at PGDX reflects our commitment to supporting the local gaming community while making innovative gaming experiences more accessible to more Filipinos,” he added.
Cloud gaming could also have implications for the wider competitive gaming ecosystem. By shifting much of the hardware requirement to remote servers, the technology offers another way for players to access demanding games without first investing in powerful gaming equipment.
For competitive gaming and esports, where connectivity and responsiveness are particularly important, the growth of cloud-based gaming also puts greater emphasis on network performance and latency.
Gaming Without Dedicated Hardware
Smart said its network is designed to support digital activities ranging from mobile and cloud gaming to streaming and content creation.
The company also highlighted its Power All prepaid offers during PGDX, positioning the data packages for users whose online activities include gaming, streaming, work, school, and social media.
Smart’s push into cloud gaming follows its partnership with Blacknut, which gives Smart and TNT subscribers access to the service and its catalog of more than 1,000 titles.
The partnership expands Smart’s presence in gaming beyond connectivity itself, as the company looks to combine mobile internet access with gaming services that allow players to jump into games across compatible devices.
With cloud gaming removing some of the traditional hardware and storage requirements associated with PC and console gaming, Smart and Blacknut’s PGDX showcase offered Filipino gamers a glimpse at another way games could be accessed and played in the years ahead.
