EA Israel, formerly GameFly Streaming and Playcast Media Systems, was a cloud gaming service company, based in Caesarea, Israel.[3][4][5] In June 2015, Playcast merged with rival cloud gaming company GameFly.[6] Playcast was backed by Venture Capital firms Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and MK Capital.[7] EA acquired the company in 2018.[8] The office closed in 2023.[9]
| Industry | Cloud computing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Guy Debeer, Natan Peterfreund |
| Defunct | 2023[1] |
| Headquarters | Caesarea, Israel[2] |
| Products | Cloud gaming |
| Website | Playcast Media Systems |
History
editPlaycast Media Systems was founded in 2007 by Mr. Guy Debeer and Dr. Natan Peterfreund. In February 2008, a beta version was installed on a live cable network and latterly a large scale pilot was installed on a Hot cable TV network to test in Israel.[10][11]
Playcast was among the first gaming-on-demand technology services companies for Cable and IPTV in the world and had partnerships with some of the largest video game publishers in the world, including: Activision, Atari, Disney, Capcom, Codemasters, THQ and Strategy First.[12][13][14]
In November 2010, Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media Systems announced the first commercial launch of the new service, available on Portugal Telecom's platform,[15] the service was named Meo Jogos.[16]
In July 2012, Playcast Media System brought its cloud gaming service to over 3.51 million CJ Hellovision subscribers in South Korea.[17]
In October 2013, Playcast cloud gaming service was launched to customers of French fixed and mobile operator Bouygues Telecom; the service was made available on TVs for users of Bouygues Telecom’s Bbox Sensation set-top box, offering instant gaming on more than 50 titles.[18]
In 2014, Playcast launched a cloud gaming app for Amazon Fire TV Microconsole[19]
In 2023, EA Israel was closed down, with the entire staff of 700+ being laid off as part of global cutbacks.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Schmayer, Irad (April 19, 2023). "Electronic Arts closing R&D center in Israel, laying off entire team". Latin Times.
- ^ "Common Ways to Contact Customer Service". April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Business Week". Investing.businessweek.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
- ^ "Gamesindustry.biz". Gamesindustry.biz. 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ http://www.techmagnews.com/ps3-quality-lag-free-gaming-via-your-set-top-box.html Techmagnews.com [bare URL]
- ^ "GameFly acquires Playcast, launches streaming service". GamesIndustry.biz. June 2, 2015.
- ^ News Post - JVP. Jvpvc.com (2011-01-25). Retrieved on 2013-08-23.
- ^ "EA Acquires Israeli Cloud Gaming Assets, Personnel of GameFly". 23 May 2018.
- ^ Schmayer, Irad (April 19, 2023). "Electronic Arts closing R&D center in Israel, laying off entire team". Latin Times.
- ^ "Playcast Does Away with Consoles for TV Video Games". Techwatch.co.uk. 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ Hartley, Adam (2009-07-20). "Techradar.com". Techradar.com. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ Times Online[dead link]
- ^ "Trading Markets". Trading Markets. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2010-11-20.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Engadget.com". Engadget.com. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ "Yahoo Finance Portugal Telecom and Playcast".
- ^ "MEO Jogos". Archived from the original on 2011-11-25. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Cloud gaming co Playcast Media in Korean TV deal - Globes". en.globes.co.il. July 11, 2012.
- ^ "Home". NVIDIA Newsroom.
- ^ Cannon, William (July 30, 2014). "Playcast Media Announces Cloud Gaming App Now In Beta For Amazon Fire TV". Latin Times.
- ^ Schmayer, Irad (April 19, 2023). "Electronic Arts closing R&D center in Israel, laying off entire team". Latin Times.