[salromano]

Presser:

Sony Computer Entertainment to Acquire Gaikai Inc., a Leading Interactive Cloud Gaming Company SCE to Build a Cloud Service Bringing Gaikai's Cloud Based-Streaming Technologies into Its Network Business TOKYO, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it entered into a definitive agreement on June 30, 2012 (Japan Time) to acquire Gaikai Inc., the world's leading 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 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." "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 that enables the streaming of quality games to a wide variety of devices via the internet. With this acquisition, SCE 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. SCE will continue to aggressively expand a new world of entertainment through the introduction of innovative technologies and the delivery of amazing experiences.

[RelentlessRolento]

so this is official now and no longer rumor from what I make out?

[LowEndTorque]

Megaton.

[MrPink93485]

so this is official now and no longer rumor from what I make out?

Certainly seems that way.

One has to wonder how they can afford to buy out a company considering their losses.

[Zaptruder]

So after all that misdirection with Gaikai doing Samsung gaming, with Sony looking into OnLive, with Gaikai denying their involvement with Sony...

The most obvious thing happens anyway?

[bobbytkc]

Certainly seems that way. One has to wonder how they can afford to buy out a company considering their losses.

They have cash, even if their stock valuation is low.

In fact, they just bought EMI for $2billion i believe.

[TheOddOne]

380 million.

[Starfish_Oxide]

Post E3?

Could have been a Megaton. Meh.

[AgentChris]

Dat PS4 backwards compatibility.

[OneMoreQuestion]

It's just one twist after another, even post-E3.

Makes me wonder if the Samsung TV integration will still go through, or will they include the service in Bravias as well?

[DECK'ARD]

I guess there were things still to be ironed out by E3.

[Loudninja]

I guess they did say they were close to a agreement.

[Yes Boss!]

Yay for Aliso Viejo!

[kittens]

I can't wait to see what comes of this.

[Vic]

So, what does it mean for the future of the PlayStation? I ask as I'm not familiar with gaming-streaming services.

[The M.O.B]

Trying Gaikai out now, I have Verizon FiOS, it should be way more that enough to stream 720p video.

[Zaptruder]

Will be interesting to see where Sony takes this - there's so much potential for cloud gaming it's ridiculous, but my bet is that they'll limit this to having nice streaming demos for the PS4.

[GrizzNKev]

This is really cool.

[Zombie James]

After nothing was announced at E3 I just assumed it wasn't happening at all.

[Revolutionary]

#gamechanger

[TheBioLover]

This is going to be very interesting in the future imo. Can't wait to see what they do with it.

[MrPink93485]

They have cash, even if their stock valuation is low. In fact, they just bought EMI for $2billion i believe.

I see. Well I hope it all works out for them.

[perfectchaos007]

How does Sony still have the funds to buy...anything!? Aren't they in serious amounts of debt?

[demigod]

They have cash, even if their stock valuation is low. In fact, they just bought EMI for $2billion i believe.

No idea what EMI is but they should've used a fraction of that 2bil to get MH exclusive for Vita!

[GCX]

They have cash, even if their stock valuation is low.

Why don't they use that money to pay their $12 billion debt?

[Deadly Joker]

It's about damn time.

It's about damn time...

[Emitan]

Pretty cool if they use it for demos and/or backwards compatibility.

[Ashes1396]

Sony has acquired Gaika, no?

[maquiladora]

How does Sony still have the funds to buy...anything!? Aren't they in serious amounts of debt?

You could say the same about the USA.

[disappeared]

Very interesting.

[Barakov]

Megaton.

After the fact.

[darkwing]

Why don't they use that money to pay their $12 billion debt?

why doesn't the US use their money to pay their $12 trillion debt?

[watershed]

Streaming games means you don't have to download and install the whole thing before hand right? That seems like a cool idea for those whose internet connection is fast enough.

[SPE]

One has to wonder how they can afford to buy out a company considering their losses.

I assume they still have decent cash reserves from all the years they were profitable.

[saunderez]

Why don't they use that money to pay their $12 billion debt?

Gotta spend money to make money*


* Or get even further in debt

Streaming games means you don't have to download and install the whole thing before hand right? That seems like a cool idea for those whose internet connection is fast enough.

And who is close enough to a Gakai datacenter as to get a relatively lag free game.

[The Crimson Kid]

This is a steal considering they only paid 1/3 of a Yammer for them.

Hopefully Sony doesn't get in its own way enough to properly leverage what could be a huge asset for the future of Playstation.

[Noisepurge]

After nothing was announced at E3 I just assumed it wasn't happening at all.

i guess they still didn't have names in the contract so they couldn't announce it then.

interesting to see what sony will do with it.

[Oxirane]

Do people think there will be next gen games which can then leverage the cloud for giant leaps in AI, Physics and Animation (trading off graphical IQ)?

Or if it will be used as a convenient way to offer backwards compatibility and games to less capable devices as a service?

[Newline]

my vita is ready

has the potential to bring cross play to a whole other level.

[Strike]

So it's real now?

[saunderez]

Do people think there will be next gen games which can then leverage the cloud for giant leaps in AI, Physics and Animation (trading off graphical IQ)? Or if it will be used as a convenient way to offer backwards compatibility and games to less capable devices as a service?

I'm going with option B. Running games on devices not remotely powerful enough to run them.

[jbug617]

Is it too late to implement Gaikai features in PS4 if they plan to launch next year? I think cloud gaming would need extensive testing in a console.

[Gorillaz]

So are they broke or aren't they?

[chris.trejo]

OMG PS2 on Vita please :D

[LowEndTorque]

It would be a smart move to try and re-tool the Gaikai infrastructure to provide tv, movie and music content in addition to games. Sony already has a strong foothold in those businesses.

How does Sony still have the funds to buy...anything!? Aren't they in serious amounts of debt?

They have huge cash reserves. A lot more than even MSFT IIRC. It's a nice big cushion to buy them some time to try and steer the business away from shipwreck.

[TTP]

I'm so confused now :D

Also sounds like this is not limited to PS2 stuff.

[perfectchaos007]

You could say the same about the USA.

Yeah but this is a private company. I didn't think they could get away with the same practices as our government. Also, Greece/Spain/Italy etc

[GQman2121]

2013 will be an interesting year for gaming.

[bishoptl]

I'm so confused now :D

It'll be okay.

[NateDrake]

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.

Wonder what the new service will be. Or if it'll just be based on existing Gaikai services.