Sony snags Gaikai for a cool US$380 million

The cloud-based gaming company, Gaikai has been picked up by Sony Computer Entertainment for a paltry US$380-million. Despite having funding from Limelight Networks and Intel Capital, amongst others, to the tune of US$45-million, the Californian company cannot stay on its feet.

It comes at no surprise that Sony’s interest is turning its gaze skywards to cloud based systems. Gaikai has been offering a game-streaming service that can be used on a variety of platforms via the internet. “Clouding” is becoming bigger by the second and Sony has tough competition in the Xbox department, especially with the rumors of 720 floating about, never mind having to watch its blind spots. I think that we can expect the next Playstation 4 to have some sort of cloud based gaming aspect to it. It would have to.

What’s interesting is the fact that Gaikai had deals with Samsung and LG to use smart TV’s as gaming platforms. With cloud based streaming, these could have been major threats to Sony’s gaming empire. In some ways cloud gaming could possibly nullify the gaming platform completely, or at least offer a significantly cheaper alternative, albeit not as complex or advanced.

But with app stores running amuck with simple, fun and free games, Sony is obviously trying to cover all their bases.