Intel Capital Invests In Cloud-Based Game Streaming Service Gaikai

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Jul 20, 2010

Cloud-based game streaming service Gaikai has taken an investment from Intel Capital and Limelight Networks. While it’s unclear how much Intel invested, the firm could have been one of the un-named partners in Gaikai’s $10 million funding round in May.

Gaikai offers a server-based, cloud-gaming technology that streams games, allowing users to play any game inside the web browser. Gaikai’s game streaming service hosts the games, runs them and then streams them to users, allowing them to interact with games wherever they are browsing. Gaikai will launch this summer, with unsurprisingly, servers powered by Intel’s Six-Core processors and Intel Solid State Drives. The games will also be running throught the key nodes of the Limelight network.

Gaikai recently announced a deal with Electronic Arts to stream EA’s games, including The Sims, Mass Effect and Medal of Honor, over Gaikai. Gaikai faces competition from OnLive.

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ritonlajoie

SO…now OnLive is not alone. Does that mean a myriade of services like that is going to see the light ?
http://twitter.com/joshperron @joshperron

this article needs a serious rewrite, as its very misguiding. It misguides you to believe they are a direct competitor to onlive when in fact if you check out their website they are clearly spelling out that they are a advertising network that allows you to launch demos of cloud based games to try them out through your browser. TechCrunch please explain this one better with an update.
http://twitter.com/joshperron @joshperron

however even the "whats GaiKai is deceptive"

"Gaikai is a cloud-based gaming technology that allows users to play major PC and console games like Call Of Duty or World Of Warcraft instantly, with one click. No download or install required.

This technology powers a next-generation video game advertising network that drives sales for video game publishers, developers, retailers, and affiliates via online demos of games and software applications. Users are presented with an offer to try the game or app before buying it, therefore giving them hands-on experience with the product right at the point-of-sale. " – GaiKai About Page

So I don't know then. I'm confused!
http://twitter.com/Technlyst @Technlyst

Hi,

I'm not sure what to make of this product as to a degree it is in a different market to that of OnLive. OnLive works via a dedicated hardware device (for video projection only) whilst GaiKai seems to be a browser based experience only. From what I can gather from this information OnLive is going to be more of a threat to console gaming whilst GaiKai is both going to be a pro and con for PC gaming.

First off as many major companies such as EA said that they are going to be changing the demoing system, GaiKai seems to have recognized this and even mention this system in the products services. I do think though that we are seeing the end of PC games distributed via disk, Steam is testament to this. But is GaiKai the next step in PC gaming, with Intel's engineering capabilities we are probably moving into a new era of server based gaming, and in the future what this means to companies such as nVidia and ATI I don't know, only time will tell!

Take care
Technlyst http://www.technlyst.com
Alexander Black

OnLive has a dedicated hardware device for gaming on the TV (which has not been released yet). However, their games can also be played on the computer just like Gaikai.
http://www.reverselookphone.com reverse cell

Cool, they signed up with EA? I’m looking forward to that then.