Sony Snaps Up OnLive Assets, Service to Close this Month

Sony Computer Entertainment has acquired part of game streaming company OnLive, which will cease operations by the end of the month. 

In a press release, the cloud gaming company stated that Sony has purchased "various assets… including its US and foreign patent portfolio covering its substantial innovations in cloud gaming".

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. 

Current OnLive users can access games, desktop, and Second Life services up to April 30th, at which point OnLive will "engage in an orderly wind-down of the company".

As of today, OnLive is no longer issuing subscription charges and those who have been charged for subscriptions on or after March 28th will be issued a refund. 

"These strategic purchases open up great opportunities for our gamers, and gives Sony a formidable patent portfolio in cloud gaming," Philip Rosenberg, vice president of global business development at SCE, commented. "It is yet another proof point that demonstrates our commitment to changing the way gamers experience the world of PlayStation."

Three years ago, Sony acquired rival game streaming firm Gaikai for $380 million. The result of that deal was the launch last year of PlayStation Now – a game rental streaming service which allows classic titles to be played on PS4, PS Vita, and select devices including some TVs. 

In March 2014, OnLive relaunched with a new CloudLift subscription following the company's collapse in 2012 thanks to a new partnership but it seems that simply wasn't enough.