Sony to acquire cloud gaming service Gaikai for $380M

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today it is in the final stages of acquiring cloud gaming network Gaikai for approximately $380 million.

According to a statement released by Sony today, the publisher intends to use the acquisition to establish a new cloud service combining Gaikai's resources with its own.

"By combining Gaikai's technological strength and engineering talent with SCE's extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences," president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Andrew House said in the 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."

Established in 2008 in Aliso Viejo, California, by David Perry, Gaikai enables game streaming to a variety of devices via the Internet. The platform allows players to demo and purchase games such as Call of Duty or Mass Effect 3 through a browser-based interface built on common technologies like Java and Flash.

"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," Perry said in the statement released today.

According to Sony, the acquisition is still "subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions."

Last year, Gaikai appointed Sony veteran Phil Harrison and ex-Activision executive Robin Kaminsky to its advisory board.