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'''Gaikai ''' is a cloud based gaming service intended to make video games more accessible to a wider audience. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5305688/dave-perry-how-gaikai-goes-beyond-onlive-could-spread-gaming-everywhere|title=Dave Perry: How Gaikai Goes Beyond OnLive, Could Spread Gaming Everywhere|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> By allowing 3D video games to be embedded into any website and played in any web browser, Gaikai gives users the opportunity to run an application or demo a game without having to ever register, download, or be redirected to a different site. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games|title=Gaikai and InstantAction team up for streaming, embeddable games|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://technabob.com/blog/2010/03/16/gaikai-cloud-based-gaming/|title=Gaikai cloud-based gaming service: onlive killer?|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref> In this way, Gaikai gives traditional game publishers the same wide reach of browser based Flash games. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.massively.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-gaikai-digital-gaming-service-to-stream-mmos-to-web-brows/|title=GDC09: Gaikai digital gaming service to stream MMOs to web browsers|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref>
'''Gaikai ''' is a cloud based gaming service intended to make video games more accessible to a wider audience. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5305688/dave-perry-how-gaikai-goes-beyond-onlive-could-spread-gaming-everywhere|title=Dave Perry: How Gaikai Goes Beyond OnLive, Could Spread Gaming Everywhere|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> By allowing 3D video games to be embedded into any website and played in any web browser, Gaikai gives users the opportunity to run an application or demo a game without having to ever register, download, or be redirected to a different site. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games|title=Gaikai and InstantAction team up for streaming, embeddable games|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://technabob.com/blog/2010/03/16/gaikai-cloud-based-gaming/|title=Gaikai cloud-based gaming service: onlive killer?|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref> In this way, Gaikai gives traditional game publishers the same wide audience reach as developers of browser based Flash games. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.massively.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-gaikai-digital-gaming-service-to-stream-mmos-to-web-brows/|title=GDC09: Gaikai digital gaming service to stream MMOs to web browsers|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref>


The service works by running video games on Gaikai servers, which then stream audio and video output to the user over the Internet. Game control input is simultaneously sent from the user’s client upstream to the server. <ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/32491/Nintendos-Wii-could-do-real-damage-with-Gaikai|title=Nintendo’s Wii ‘Could do Real Damage’ with Gaikai|author=Crossley, Rob|date=2009-07-28|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref>And with all game processing and 3D rendering done remotely on Gaikai servers, the game is able to run on any client device capable of playing video with a broadband connection. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaikai.com Gaikai|title=Official website|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref>
The service works by running video games on Gaikai servers, which then stream audio and video output to the user over the Internet. Game control input is simultaneously sent from the user’s client upstream to the server. <ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/32491/Nintendos-Wii-could-do-real-damage-with-Gaikai|title=Nintendo’s Wii ‘Could do Real Damage’ with Gaikai|author=Crossley, Rob|date=2009-07-28|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref>And with all game processing and 3D rendering done remotely on Gaikai servers, the game is able to run on any client device capable of playing video with a broadband connection. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaikai.com Gaikai|title=Official website|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref>


Gaikai’s technology runs by using previously installed plug-ins such as Java, Flash, or Silverlight. By supporting already installed plug-ins, their customers will not be forced to download additional files or software just to try out the application or game.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/gdc-exclusive-david-perrys-entry-into-serverbased-gaming/|title=GDC Exclusive: David Perry’s Entry into Server-Based Gaming|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> A [http://www.vimeo.com/5404358 demo video] of the service at GDC 2010 showed [[Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare]], [[World of Warcraft]], [[EVE Online]], [[Spore (game)| Spore]], [[Mario Kart 64]] and [[Adobe Photoshop]] all running in a simple Adobe Flash player.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.gamespot.com/mac/strategy/spore/news.html?sid=6212832|title=David Perry Demos Gaikai Game Streaming|author=Sinclair, Brendan|date=2009-07-01|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref>
Gaikai’s proprietary technology runs, in part, by using previously installed plug-ins such as Java, Flash, or Silverlight. By supporting already installed plug-ins, Gaikai customers will not be forced to download additional files or software just to try out the application or game.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/gdc-exclusive-david-perrys-entry-into-serverbased-gaming/|title=GDC Exclusive: David Perry’s Entry into Server-Based Gaming|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> A [http://www.vimeo.com/5404358 demo video] of the service at GDC 2010 showed [[Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare]], [[World of Warcraft]], [[EVE Online]], [[Spore (game)| Spore]], [[Mario Kart 64]] and [[Adobe Photoshop]] all running in a simple Adobe Flash player.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.gamespot.com/mac/strategy/spore/news.html?sid=6212832|title=David Perry Demos Gaikai Game Streaming|author=Sinclair, Brendan|date=2009-07-01|accessdate=2010-03-29}}</ref>


==Executive Team==
==Executive Team==

Revision as of 00:06, 31 March 2010

Gaikai
File:Gaikai logo.png
‎
Type of businessPrivate
FoundedNovember 2008
Headquarters
Orange County
,
USA
Key peopleDavid Perry, Andrew Gault, Rui Pereira
ServicesGame streaming technology, Gaming On Demand, Video Game and Software Advertising/Distribution Service
URLwww.gaikai.com
Current statusBeta, expected launch in 2010

Gaikai is a cloud based gaming service intended to make video games more accessible to a wider audience. [1] By allowing 3D video games to be embedded into any website and played in any web browser, Gaikai gives users the opportunity to run an application or demo a game without having to ever register, download, or be redirected to a different site. [2] [3] In this way, Gaikai gives traditional game publishers the same wide audience reach as developers of browser based Flash games. [4]

The service works by running video games on Gaikai servers, which then stream audio and video output to the user over the Internet. Game control input is simultaneously sent from the user’s client upstream to the server. [5]And with all game processing and 3D rendering done remotely on Gaikai servers, the game is able to run on any client device capable of playing video with a broadband connection. [6]

Gaikai’s proprietary technology runs, in part, by using previously installed plug-ins such as Java, Flash, or Silverlight. By supporting already installed plug-ins, Gaikai customers will not be forced to download additional files or software just to try out the application or game.[7] A demo video of the service at GDC 2010 showed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, World of Warcraft, EVE Online, Spore, Mario Kart 64 and Adobe Photoshop all running in a simple Adobe Flash player.[8]

Executive Team

  • Andrew Gault, Co-Founder and Co-CTO, developed the initial prototype that would become the basis of Gaikai’s technology and pending U.S. patent applications. Previously, Andrew had been contributing to the efforts of the European Space Agency and UPC Broadband organizations.
  • Rui Pereira, Co-Founder and Co-CTO, originally came up with the concept to use streaming technology in order to reduce friction involved in gaming. He was previously the Pan-European Web Architect at UPC Broadband.
  • Ueli Gallizzi, VP of Cloud Computing, is known for his work as Lead Integration Architect at UPC Broadband.

Business Model

At GDC 2010, Gaikai officially announced that they would launch as a customer acquisition service, working together with developers, publishers, and retailers such as Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Ubisoft, BioWare, Best Buy, GameStop, Amazon.com and Adobe to provide specialized software demos on the web.[9][10] Unlike its announced competitor's services, Gaikai's service will be free to consumers.[11]

Gaikai demos will be embedded on websites either related to games, the specific product, or news articles that are reporting about the product (as determined by the publisher).[12] Users will not be forced to navigate to an online portal in which they have to register to be able to access the games. At the end of the demo, the customer will be given the option to purchase the game or product from a local retailer, online store, direct-to-drive download, or continue streaming the product. If users wish to continue streaming after the free trial, the company will allow them to continue on a pay-as-you-go basis. [13]

Features

The demos will be initiated through a pop-up or conditional banner. The pop-up/banner will only appear if the customer is close enough (in terms of ping time) to a Gaikai server in order to guarantee an optimal experience. This restricts users on slow or unstable connections or in rural areas from seeing demos, but does guarantee that those that play will have a positive experience. [14][15]

Additionally when running a game or application, a user will be provided a link that they can share in Twitter or Facebook which will allow others to join their session, if the game is multiplayer, or view a live stream of the product as well as be given the option to demo the product as well.[16]

The use of Gaikai technology also has anti-piracy advantages for game developers. As consumers never get the game client code, and only receive a video stream, it is safe for developers to release vulnerable early code to Gaikai for use in Beta testing or pre-release promotions due to the secure environment. For the same reason, users never have to patch the application themselves, as all games will be patched and kept up to date on Gaikai’s servers. [17]

Investors

  • Benchmark Capital: According to a U.S. SEC filing in January 2010, Benchmark Capital has invested US$5 million. [18][19]
  • TriplePoint Capital: It was announced by David Perry at GDC in March 2010 that TriplePoint Capital was funding server purchases. The amount was not disclosed.
  • Series B: Also at GDC in March 2010, David Perry said Gaikai was accelerating its second round of funding in order to launch earlier in Europe.

Partners

  • InstantAction: At GDC in March 2010 it was announced in a press release that InstantAction was partnering with Gaikai. InstantAction have a quickstart digital download service and will utilize Gaikai’s technology in order to bridge existing time between a game purchase and download completion.
  • Data Centers: David Perry stated in an interview that Gaikai is working on a deal which will grant access to many data centers within the USA and Europe along with 900 peering agreements.[20]

Timeline

  • Late 2007: Rui Pereira and Andrew Gault come up with the idea to use real-time streaming to make 3D video games as friction-less as Flash games.
  • March 2008: Andrew Gault builds first technology prototype of real-time game streaming to Flash.
  • October 2008: Andrew Gault and Rui Pereira found Gaikai BV in the Netherlands.
  • March 2009: David Perry announces his involvement with the Netherlands-based company Gaikai at GDC.
  • November 2009: Gaikai Inc. is founded by David Perry, Andrew Gault and Rui Pereira in California. All development migrates from Europe to the U.S.
  • March 2010: Gaikai attends GDC 2010 and publically announces a business model targeting player acquisition.

Competitors

  • OnLive is a gaming-on-demand entertainment platform, announced at the Game Developers Conference in 2009. The OnLive game service will be available to users in the 48 contiguous United States. Onlive plans on charging users a monthly subscription fee of $14.95/Month for the streaming system with game purchases being offered on an a-la-carte basis. After Gaikai announced they would be free to the consumer, Onlive responded by announcing a free demo portal.[21]
  • Otoy is another cloud computing gaming-on-demand platform. Otoy announced that they plan to bring AMD Fusion Render Cloud servers to market in the second quarter of 2010. The AMD Fusion Render Cloud will also allow remote real-time rendering of film and visual effects graphics on an unprecedented scale.

References

  1. ^ "Dave Perry: How Gaikai Goes Beyond OnLive, Could Spread Gaming Everywhere". Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  2. ^ "Gaikai and InstantAction team up for streaming, embeddable games". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  3. ^ "Gaikai cloud-based gaming service: onlive killer?". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  4. ^ "GDC09: Gaikai digital gaming service to stream MMOs to web browsers". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  5. ^ Crossley, Rob (2009-07-28). "Nintendo's Wii 'Could do Real Damage' with Gaikai". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  6. ^ Gaikai "Official website". Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ "GDC Exclusive: David Perry's Entry into Server-Based Gaming". Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  8. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2009-07-01). "David Perry Demos Gaikai Game Streaming". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  9. ^ "Interview: David Perry's Gaikai". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  10. ^ Pereira, Chris. "Watch Gaikai Stream Full Games to You Over the Web". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  11. ^ "Gaikai Promises Subscription-Free Cloud Gaming". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  12. ^ Nelson, Randy (2010-03-11). "Gaikai will be fee-free, utilize 300 data centers in the US". Joystiq.com. Retrieved 201-07-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ Nunnely, Stephany. "OnLive Subscription Service will Draw Customers to Gaikai, Says Perry". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  14. ^ Elliott, Phil (2009-07-20). "David Perry – Part One". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  15. ^ "GamesIndustry.biz article on Gaikai". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  16. ^ Nelson, Randy (2010-03-11). "Gaikai will be Fee-Free, Utilize 300 Data Centers in the US". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  17. ^ Dean Takahashi (2010-03-11). "InstantAction makes big downloadable games instantly available to play online". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  18. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (2010-01-06). "Perry's Gaikai Service Raises $5 Million VC". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  19. ^ "UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION : FORM D; Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities". Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  20. ^ Nelson, Randy (2010-03-11). "Gaikai will be fee-free, utilize 300 data centers in the US". Joystiq.com. Retrieved 201-07-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  21. ^ McElroy, Justin (2010-03-11). "Gaikai's Perry says OnLive Pricing is a 'Shot in the Arm'". Retrieved 2010-03-29.

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