Sony Acquires Gaming Service OnLive, Then Shuts It Down

Sony has acquired OnLive, a cloud gaming service, only to shut it down. OnLive announced that Sony Computer Entertainment has bought "various assets of OnLive, including its U.S. and foreign patent portfolio covering its substantial innovations in cloud gaming."

The service will be closing business on April 30.

 "After five years of uninterrupted service, the OnLive Game Service will be coming to an end. Sony is acquiring important parts of OnLive, and their plans don't include a continuation of the game service in its current form," the message on OnLive.com said.

"Your service should continue uninterrupted until April 30, 2015. No further subscription fees will be charged, and you can continue to play all of your games until that date."

OnLive was launched in 2010 as the first cloud gamin service, and two years later it was acquired by investment firm Lauder Partners.

"These strategic purchases open up great opportunities for our gamers, and gives Sony a formidable patent portfolio in cloud gaming," said Sony Computer Entertainment's Philip Rosenberg in a statement. "It is yet another proof point that demonstrates our commitment to changing the way gamers experience the world of PlayStation."