Aliso Viejo-based software startup Gaikai Inc. has landed an investment from Arizona’s Limelight Networks Inc. and Intel Capital, the venture arm of chip kingpin Intel Corp.
Terms of the investment weren’t disclosed.
The company’s software streams video games over the Internet, allowing potential buyers to get a short demo in their Web browsers.
The idea is that games that typically must be bought on a disc or downloaded over the Internet can be played on any type of device, including a computer or an iPod.
Gaikai is currently testing its products and plans to launch later this summer.
The company looks to team up with video game publishers to help them promote their games. When a person clicks on an ad for a game and plays a demo online, Gaikai gets paid per minute of game play.
It allows users to sample a game without having to ever register, download, or be redirected to a different website.
It’s presumably an attractive service to traditional video game publishers looking to reach players online.
The video game market of late has been dominated by creators of online games, such as top video game maker Blizzard Entertainment Inc. in Irvine.
Gaikai has already inked a deal with Redwood City’s Electronic Arts Inc.
Gaikai is backed by Benchmark Capital, TriplePoint Capital, Rustic Canyon Partners and other unnamed investors.
The company has raised some $15 million to date.
