Gaikai brings cloud gaming to Facebook | Expert Reviews

Posted on 12 Apr 2012 at 09:33

Cloud gaming specialist Gaikai has figured out a way to grow more rapidly than ever before: a deal with social networking giant Facebook to bring console-quality games to the site's pages.

Launched in beta this week, Gaikai's Facebook app allows publishers to give Facebook users access to their games directly within the browser - with no need to run a separate gaming client.

"People don?t want to leave Facebook to play games ? Zynga?s phenomenal success is proof of that", claimed David Perry, Gaikai's chief executive officer, at the announcement. "Cloud Gaming means that the game doesn?t need to be downloaded and run on your computer, it literally means the game runs out on the internet, in the cloud, with the experience being streamed to the players. Most video game publishers are now seeking to grow their digital customer base and unlike movie and music services like Netflix and Spotify, Gaikai gives the game publishers relationships with the customers."

For its beta launch, Gaikai is offering European gamers free access to Magicka, Sniper - Ghost Warrior, The Witcher 2 - Assassin of Kings, Orcs Must Die!, and Farming Simulator 2011. Additionally, US gamers get access to two extra games: Saints Row - The Third and Dead Rising 2 - Off the Record.

The software is compatible with the majority of browsers across Windows, OS X and Linux providing Java is installed and operational and a broadband internet connection is present.

The instataneous nature of Gaikai's technology, coupled with a 'try before you buy' approach through the new Facebook app, has publishers interested. "Gaikai's technology allows us to deliver our games to a wider audience", explained Kevin Kraff, vice president at games publisher THQ. "As content creators it's not only paramount that we give our players great entertainment but also that we give them a choice in how they access it. Streaming inside Facebook is not only revolutionary, but is something that both new and existing players will benefit from."

The Gaikai Facebook App Beta is available to try on the official Facebook page.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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