Image via CrunchBase
Sony Computer Entertainment has agreed to acquire online gaming startup Gaikai for about $380 million.
Gaikai provides technology for cloud-based gaming, providing the ability for people to play high-quality games on their desktop computers, tablet devices and televisions.
The question the deal raises is what the acquisition means for Sony's gaming direction. Gaikai has championed cloud gaming and making console-style games available over the Internet so that gamers do not have to buy a console. In June, Gaikai announced it would be providing streaming games to Samsung's Smart TVs without requiring any additional hardware. The Playstation business model has been built on consoles.
"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 said in a prepared statement. "SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly 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."
Founded in 2008, Gaikai has raised about $45 million from Benchmark Capital, New Enterprise Associates, Triplepoint Capital, Rustic Canyon Ventures, Intel Capital and Qualcomm Ventures, according to Crunchbase.
Benchmark's Mitch Lasky, who invested in Gaikai's first funding round in 2009, said in a blog post that Gaikai CEO David Perry saw cloud-based gaming as a new form of distribution and new direction for the industry.
Gaikai's rival is OnLive, headed by gaming executive Steve Perlman.
