Sony Entertainment acquires Gaikai for $380 million, cloud gaming coming soon?

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) on June 30 will acquire Gaikai Inc., a popular interactive cloud-based gaming company, for approximately USD 380 million. Through the acquisition, SCE will establish a new cloud service, ensuring that it continues to provide users with truly innovative and immersive interactive entertainment experiences.

"By combining Gaikai's resources, including its technological strength and engineering talent, with SCE's extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to enjoy a broad array of content - ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content - anytime, anywhere on a variety of Internet-connected devices."

Sony to bring cloud gaming services...

"SCE has built an incredible brand with PlayStation and has earned the respect of countless millions of gamers worldwide," said David Perry, CEO of Gaikai Inc. "We're honored to be able to help SCE rapidly harness the power of the interactive cloud and to continue to grow their ecosystem, to empower developers with new capabilities, to dramatically improve the reach of exciting content and to bring breathtaking new experiences to users worldwide."

Established in 2008 and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, Gaikai has developed the highest quality, fastest interactive cloud-streaming platform in the world. The platform enables streaming of quality games to a wide variety of devices via the Internet. With this acquisition, Sony Computer Entertainment will establish a cloud service and expand its network business by taking full advantage of Gaikai's revolutionary technology and infrastructure, including data centers servicing dozens of countries and key partners around the world. The transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Sony Computer Entertainment has also stated that it will continue to aggressively expand through the introduction of innovative technologies and the delivery of amazing experiences. It is worth mentioning that Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has been one of the most popular home entertainment brands since the company launched the famed PlayStation in 1994. They further expanded their arsenal with the PS2, the PS3 and the handheld PSP, which now allows users to play 3D games as well.  SCE also delivers the PlayStation experience to open operating systems through PlayStationMobile, a cross device platform. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCE, along with its affiliated companies Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC., and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and its division companies, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and Sony Computer Entertainment Asia, develops, publishes, markets and distributes hardware and software. The company also manages third party licensing programs for these platforms in its respective markets worldwide.

With the acquisition of Gaikai, Sony may embrace a different parallel in gaming and if anything, the future of gaming is only getting more exciting.