Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) announced on Monday, July 2, that it signed a definitive agreement on June 30 (Japan Time) to acquire the world's top interactive cloud-based gaming company, Gaikai Inc., for roughly US$380 million. Sony will establish a new cloud service through the acquisition, aiming to continue providing users with interactive and innovative entertainment experiences.
"By combining Kaikai'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 SCE's President and Group CEO Andrew House, according to the press release. "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 Gaikai CEO David Perry. "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."
Aliso Viejo, California-based Gaikai Inc. was established in 2008, and has become the world's leading interactive cloud-based gaming company by developing the best, fastest interactive cloud-streaming platform, enabling the online streaming of high-quality games to a wide variety of devices. Through this acquisition, Sony will establish a cloud service and take advantage of Gaikai's top technology and infrastructure, including data centers covering dozens of countries and major partners worldwide, to expand its network business.
"We expect this will be incredible news for all our partners as we will be able to unlock AAA console gaming from the cloud, with the full support of Sony," said Perry.
The $380 million acquisition is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. According to rumors, the deal may include the streaming of first- and third-party PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 games through the cloud, making the PS3 backward-compatible again.
