Electronic Arts in Web streaming deal with Gaikai to run video games through browsers

Electronic Arts in Web streaming deal with Gaikai

LOS ANGELES — Online video streaming company Gaikai Inc. said Thursday it has signed a deal to stream video games from Electronic Arts Inc.

The multiyear deal will allow EA to stream several of its titles directly to any Web browser, the company said. Titles to be offered include “The SimsT,” ”Medal of Honor” and “Need for Speed,” among others. Gaikai said its server-based, cloud computing technology is designed to dramatically boost audience reach and participation, while bringing down game costs.

By playing games remotely from Gaikai servers around the world, players simply play wherever they are browsing, removing the need to pay for advertising clicks to move gamers around on the Internet,” the company said.

Gaikai, a privately held company backed by venture capital firms Benchmark Capital, TriplePoint Capital, Rustic Canyon Partners and another unnamed investor, did not disclose financial details.

Electronic Arts shares rose 13 cents to $16.14 in afternoon trading.