David Perry Unveils Details on Cloud-Based Gaming Service 'Gaikai'

OnLive created a stir earlier this year when the tech company introduced its cloud-based computing service that promised that users could stream data-heavy games like Crysis -- with no noticeable lag -- directly to their computers and TVs with no need for high-end hardware. Now, David Perry, chief creative officer for Acclaim and founder of Earthworm Jim developer Shiny Entertainment, revealed more specifics about his own cloud-based gaming service, dubbed "Gaikai". In a weblog post, Perry said that Gaikai would require no install to a user's PC, and games will run directly in a web browser. A video demo ran from a server where data would have to travel 800 miles round trip, achieving a 21 millisecond ping using a home cable connection. Perry said the final delay will be 10 milliseconds. Perry demoed numerous games via Gaikai in a video, including Spore, Need for Speed Pro Street, Lego Star Wars, World of Warcraft and even an emulated version of Mario Kart 64. Perry said that Gaikai's bandwidth is "mostly sub 1 megabit across all games." Video of gameplay from the remote service exhibited seemingly smooth operation. One major difference between Gaikai and OnLive is that Perry's project will not be a portal where users visit to access and play games. "[People] play the games right on the publisher’s site," Perry explained. "The publisher uses our technology to make it all possible. So from wherever you click, you end up on the publisher's site with the latest version of the game running instantly." In an apparent reference to OnLive, which had been operating in "stealth mode" for seven years working as it worked on its service, Perry also said, "We don't claim to have 5,000 pages of patents, we didn't take seven years, and we do not claim to have invented 1 millisecond encryption and custom chips. As you can see, we don't need them, and so our costs will be much less." Perry is currently offering a closed beta for interested publishers, and is also looking to contact investors to help fund the project.