First ever cloud-streamed MMOs have been announced

by: Russell - posted: 3/9/2012 9:19:00 AM

Ever wonder what it would be like if you could play your favorite MMOs "on the cloud"?  Well, now you can find out...if your favorite MMOs are The Lord of the Rings Online or Dungeons & Dragons Online anyway.  Gaikai Inc. has announced an agreement with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine to begin streaming the two games to players across North America directly from each game's own website without any download or installation (Dungeons & Dragons Online coming soon).  Sounds like an interesting idea.  Now I'm curious to see what would happen if this was done with World of Warcraft.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Gaikai Partner to Launch World's First Cloud-Based Streaming MMO Game Experience
The Lord of the Rings Online™ and Dungeons & Dragons Online® Available in a Browser

LOS ANGELES, CA - Mar. 8, 2012 - Gaikai Inc., the innovative cloud gaming service, today announces an agreement with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to begin the streaming of The Lord of The Rings Online™ and Dungeons & Dragons Online® to players across North America directly from each game’s own website.
For the first time ever, Gaikai is streaming massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) from the cloud, straight to players without the need for any download or installation. Gamers can try The Lord of the Rings Online now, with Dungeons & Dragons Online to follow soon, developed by Turbine, which is wholly owned by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, via a simple one-step registration process that will provide them instant access to try the full version of the award-winning, free-to-play massively multiplayer experiences.

“MMOs have always been one of the key genres that we’ve wanted to deliver via the cloud - never before has it been possible to play MMOs in this way,” said Robert Stevenson, EVP at Gaikai. “And we couldn’t be more pleased to showcase Gaikai’s technology by streaming Dungeons & Dragons Online and The Lord of the Rings Online, which are both fantastic multiplayer gaming experiences with legions of loyal fans.”
“Gaikai's game streaming service will make it easier than ever for new players to start their epic adventures in our immersive online worlds,” said Craig Alexander, Vice President of Product Development, Turbine. “Anyone wishing to try these popular MMOs can now instantly launch the games inside their web browser completely eliminating any download wait times.”
The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online are two of the best and most popular premium free-to-play games on the market today. These award-winning games feature an innovative hybrid pricing model that allows players to play for free, purchase elements a la carte from the in-game store, or subscribe to get VIP access to the game’s content.
Gaikai has spent three years building the fastest interactive cloud gaming network in the world, instantly capable of delivering cutting-edge games without the need for any custom hardware or software. Coupled with relationships with the top video game and platform partners around the world, Gaikai is capable of delivering a broad catalog of the world’s most exciting games of every genre straight to consumers on any Internet connected device, from web browsers and PCs to IP-enabled televisions.
About Gaikai Inc
Gaikai is the world's first open interactive cloud platform that provides its partners with the ability to deliver state-of-the-art video game and software application experiences instantly to any internet-connected device. Gaikai's global cloud streaming network is fully managed and live in dozens of countries with top-tier partners. Gaikai's robust service layer is specifically designed to allow Gaikai's partners to grow their online and offline revenues by improving customer acquisition while extending their reach to new channels previously unavailable through physical media. Headquartered in Southern California, Gaikai is backed by Benchmark Capital, TriplePoint Capital, Rustic Canyon Partners, Limelight Networks and Intel Capital.
About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is wholly owned by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™, and Asheron's Call®. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.