Sony to buy cloud-based Gakkai gaming

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TOKYO, July 2 (UPI) -- Sony Computer Entertainment says it has agreed to buy cloud-based U.S. gaming company Gakkai Inc. for approximately $380 million.

The acquisition will provide Sony with a foothold in streaming video games and other entertainment over the Internet, company officials said Monday.

"SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of Internet-connected devices," Andrew House, head of Sony Computer Entertainment, said in a statement.

Gaikai, established in 2008. has headquarters in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

The Wall Street Journal said the video game industry is preparing to shift from its old model of providing games on disks or cartridges in a dedicated console to a purely online model.