51w ago - Update: It's now confirmed that Sony has acquired Gaikai for $380 million with the official press release below.

Press Release: Sony Computer Entertainment to Acquire Gaikai Inc., a Leading Interactive Cloud Gaming Company

SCE to Build a Cloud Service Bringing Gaikai's Cloud Based-Streaming Technologies into Its Network Business

TOKYO, July 2, 2012 PRNewswire - Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it entered into a definitive agreement on June 30, 2012 (Japan Time) to acquire Gaikai Inc., the world's leading interactive cloud-based gaming company, for approximately USD 380 million.

Through the acquisition, SCE will establish a new cloud service, ensuring that it continues to provide users with truly innovative and immersive interactive entertainment experiences.

"By combining Gaikai's resources including its technological strength and engineering talent with SCE's extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

51w ago - Following up on our previous article, today MCVUK (linked above) reports that according to their sources Sony is indeed close to acquiring a high-profile cloud gaming firm.

To quote: "In a move that will rock the next generation of console gaming, Sony is close to agreeing an acquisition of a high profile cloud gaming firm, MCV understands.

It was reported earlier this week that Sony was to reveal a partnership with a cloud gaming firm - specifically either OnLive or Gaikai - at E3 next week.

Subsequent chatter had seemingly calmed the rumours, suggesting that the proposed agreement was to do with Sony streaming TV services, and not consoles.

However, MCV understands that the deal is far more extensive than anyone could have predicted and will see Sony fully acquire one of the two firms. The deal, our source says, "is close to being signed".

The acquisition has implications for all parts of Sony's business, both in the consumer tech and console divisions.

Although work on PS4 is already well underway, Sony is very likely keen on bringing its PlayStation gaming content to non-console owners - a move finally made possible...

52w ago - Today VG247.com (linked above) reports that according to a rumor Sony is expected to unveil cloud gaming for PS3, PS Vita and other PlayStation branded devices at E3 2012.

Although further details are scarce at the moment, the potential cloud gaming deal is likely to be with either Gaikai or OnLive allowing streamed games on PlayStation branded hardware.

To quote: "VG247 has learned that Sony is to announce a cloud gaming deal with either Gaikai or OnLive at E3, apparently allowing streamed games on PlayStation hardware.

Details are light, but the news expected to be announced in the Sony press conference on June 4."

For those curious, this year's E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) will be held from June 5-7, 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention center.

65w ago - Following up on my PSEN-CAP initial announcement, today we are rolling out the PlayStation Sony Entertainment Network Cloud Acceleration Platform BETA for those interested in testing it out!

Below is the official Press Release, as follows: Hello Members of the Community,

Today marks a revolution into next generation performance of your home broadband connection, no longer will you need to suffer intolerable slow speeds from the PlayStation Network, Matchmaking issues and NAT related problems.

What is PSEN-CAP? PlayStation | Sony Entertainment Network - Cloud Acceleration Platform.

It's a service which provides a multitude of additional features including the following:

• Turbo Charged Downloads with a speeds up to 300 Mbps.
  
• Dedicated DNS for gaming / with improved matchmaking.
  
• Free remote desktop to assist with NAT, Port Forwarding and Internet Optimisation.
  

What are the usage restrictions?

• 20GB Monthly Bandwidth
  
• Only works for PlayStation Products (2007+)
  

How much will this cost?

We're aiming to keep...

121w ago - Today Kotaku (linked above) reports that Sony PlayStation 3 developers have revealed Cloud PS3 Game Online Saving is coming in the Firmware 3.60 update.

To quote: "Cloud storage means that, rather than just keeping your save game data on your PlayStation 3's hard drive, users will be given the option to upload their saves remotely to a server.

The advantage of this is that not only does it save the user space on their hard drive, but since it's tied to a PlayStation Network account, it can be pulled down to different consoles whenever and wherever the user desires.

First rumored all the way back in 2009, there is of course a catch: it'll only be made available to PlayStation Plus subscribers, not the great unwashed. Actually, there are two catches: Sony bundled the announcement with the clause that, because saving games to the cloud "will allow save data with the copy prohibited attribute to be copied into the online storage", developers are able to opt out and bar their games from using it should there be a concern.

Sony will call the process "Online Saving", and it'll be made available as part of the PS3's upcoming 3.60 firmware update."