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David Perry Unveils Details on Cloud-Based Gaming Service 'Gaikai'
by Kris Graft [PC, Console/PC]
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July 1, 2009
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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.
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With dp backing this project, means that an Industry veteran is overviewing and productizing the tech, to bring it to market ASAP. Anyway, It's just cool tech, that can bring more gamers and more $$ into developers and publishers pockets.
I've worked with Dave and several of his colleagues in the past. Am working with a couple of them now, too. It may be a bit rude to say that so blatantly, but c'mon.. "What was the last great thing he made?" Oh yeah.. "MDK and the original Earthworm Jim's." He's been around awhile for sure.. but so have alot of valuable industry people. Dave is tech smart for sure, but he's also a good talker and salesman. Ask anyone who's dealt with him in the past.
@Ken - So you don't value the Messiah-Engine? Messiah the first T&L-AGP-Card game?? Tessellation? Mesh-character-modelling, dynamic combat-AI? - even gameplay wise it could have been a great console game.
Equally impressive "Sacrifice" the game they shiped a couple months later. Dynamic battles, terrain transformation, Editor, game-mechanics that I have seen ripped off in other games to this day, no "great thing"?
You work in this industry but don't seem to have a good memory IMO;-)
Of course I remember those titles. :-)
As I'm sure the publishers that put them out, do as well. "They did OK." Not great.. "Just Ok." Too long of development times and too much money spent on mediocre-to-just GOOD titles. How about that Wild 9's title? Tell me.. "What was Dave's last GREAT game?" .. and PLEASE.. don't even tell me The Matrix.
I'm not saying Dave is bad fellow at all. He certainly IS talented. But, I'm just not sure.. it's at making fun games anymore. Today, in my opinion.. and quite a few other veterans that I know of.. his brand name is over-hyped. Do you remember a few years back when he joined-up with Ex-Activision stinker Howard Marks and they were going to bring back and make big the name Acclaim again? All that brilliant talk and sales pitch??? So... When was the last time you heard Acclaim (online) was doing something absolutely fun and brilliant? Something that contends with Blizzard?
That's what I thought.
I'm just saying that the name / brand Dave Perry isn't all that. Dave is a heck of a salesman.
Thanks for hearing me out, Alex.
- Ken
:-) I have no opinion on Dave personally, as I have never met or worked with him (and I am not one of his fanboy internet- "we-all-can-make-a-game-together-kids" -friends;-)
I was just in a hawkish mood to throw in some arguments, I thought were valid. That's all.
- Alex
- K