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Gaikai

From Alfawiki
Gaikai
Company typeSubsidiary (before acquisition)
IndustryCloud gaming, video game streaming
Founded2008 in the Netherlands
FateAcquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment
SuccessorPlayStation Now (technology integration)
Headquarters
Aliso Viejo, California
,
United States
ProductsCloud gaming platform, Remote Play technology, Share Play, PlayStation Now
OwnerSony Interactive Entertainment (after 2012)
ParentSony Interactive Entertainment

was a United States-based firm specializing in technology for streaming premium video games.[1] Its solutions enabled streaming within homes over both wired and wireless connections (for instance, Remote Play functionality between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita) as well as cloud gaming, where gameplay is processed on distant servers and delivered via streaming, exemplified by the PlayStation Now platform.[2]

Established in 2008 in the Netherlands as "Gaikai B.V.",[3] Gaikai collaborated with a variety of game publishers, online portals, retail chains, and consumer electronics manufacturers between 2010 and 2012. On July 2, 2012, Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Gaikai for $380 million to build its proprietary cloud gaming infrastructure and incorporate Gaikai’s streaming technology into PlayStation devices,[4] which subsequently led to the introduction of PlayStation Now[5] alongside Remote Play.[6]

History

Prior to its acquisition by Sony, Gaikai obtained investment from entities including Intel Capital, Limelight Networks, Rustic Canyon Partners, Benchmark Capital, TriplePoint Capital, NEA, and Qualcomm. Its streaming platform was embedded into gaming websites, social networks such as Facebook, and hardware like smartphones and smart TVs depending on publisher preferences. Players could launch games instantly without needing to register or download software. The company advised a recommended internet speed of 5 Mbit/s with a minimum threshold of 3 Mbit/s.

Gaikai’s proprietary streaming technology functioned within web browsers either through plug-ins such as Java or Adobe Flash or natively without plug-ins by utilizing Google Native Client (NaCl), demonstrated at Google I/O in 2012. Initial demonstrations featured titles including Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, World of Warcraft, EVE Online, Spore, Mario Kart 64, and Adobe Photoshop running through Flash. In May 2010, Gaikai presented a live demonstration of World of Warcraft streaming on an iPad.

The company officially left public Beta and launched globally on February 27, 2011, offering games like Dead Space 2, The Sims 3, Spore, and Mass Effect 2.

Services

Prior to being acquired, Gaikai operated under two primary cloud gaming business frameworks: the Ad Network and the Open Platform.

The Ad Network approach allowed users to stream game demos and subsequently purchase titles or related products from local shops, online retailers, or direct download sources. Launched on June 2, 2011, the Gaikai Affiliate Network attracted over 10 million active monthly users by the end of that year. Partner websites embedded high-quality PC game streams as advertisements and shared revenue generated from consumer engagement with free demos. By late 2011, Gaikai-powered games had been incorporated into platforms such as YouTube, EA's Origin, and Ubisoft's UBIShop. In April 2012, Gaikai expanded its streaming capabilities to Facebook, enabling gameplay directly within the Facebook canvas environment.

The Open Platform model focused on streaming complete games across various devices including PCs, digital televisions, tablets, and smart mobile gadgets. Its inaugural mobile collaboration was launched in May 2012 with the Wikipad tablet. Following this, in June 2012 Samsung unveiled a cloud gaming service utilizing Gaikai technology to deliver AAA titles to its high-end LED Smart TV lineup.

Acquisition by Sony Interactive Entertainment

On July 2, 2012, Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed the acquisition of Gaikai—a cloud gaming service—for $380 million USD. Subsequently, in October 2012, Gaikai relaunched its website featuring premier PlayStation franchises such as God of War, Infamous, and LittleBigPlanet. Eventually, Gaikai was completely assimilated into Sony Interactive Entertainment’s operations.

Remote Play

Starting February 20, 2013, Gaikai began developing an advanced version of Remote Play, enabling gameplay streaming from the PlayStation 4 console to the PlayStation Vita. This functionality was introduced alongside the PS4’s launch in November 2013.

Share Play

Debuting in late 2014, Share Play provides users with the ability to engage in remote multiplayer sessions with friends as if sharing the same display, including passing virtual controller control seamlessly.

PlayStation Now

At the January 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, Sony unveiled PlayStation Now (PS Now), a game streaming platform powered by Gaikai technology. Although initially announced earlier in 2013, PS Now facilitates streaming access to titles from PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 libraries on PS4 consoles and other compatible devices. Sony confirmed a 2014 release schedule during E3 2013. Beyond consoles, PS Now extended availability to select Sony BRAVIA TVs released in 2014 within the United States, broadening Sony’s global presence in cloud gaming services.

Announced partnerships

See also

External links

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