Akamai, a cloud optimization service, has launched a new solution for game publishers called Electronic Software Delivery for Gaming.  It’s a specialized solution that leverages Akamai’s existing network to enhance an end user’s game download experience, with an increased download completion rate.  In other words, Akamai’s helping games download faster.

Akamai’s new delivery system is comprised of the Akamai Download Manager, Akamai Download Analytics and HTTP delivery, combining to create a unified solution targeting the rapidly expanding game niche.  Designed to work with every game format out there, whether its an MMOG, one taking the freemium route, or one that requires a paid upgrade.

When it comes to leveraging the cloud, Akamai’s got experience in the gaming realm, having worked with large-scale environments including WeeWorld.  And from the cloud perspective, “the game publisher does not require any hosted infrastructure to benefit from the Akamai Electronic Software Delivery for Gaming solution,” an Akamai representative tells us.

“Game software assets are uploaded to Akamai, and the actual game site and game asset is delivered within the cloud from Akamai.  The analytics component of the Electronic Software Delivery for Gaming solution is also all cloud based.  The database, processing, and user interface for download analytics are all running inside of the Akamaicloud, enabling game publishers to benefit from this business insight without deploying any of their own infrastructure.”

It’s a perk for gamers, who now live in an era of instant gratification reaching far beyond cheeseburgers and milkshakes.  Just as important, Akamai’s new service is a perk for game publishers seeking software distribution as the primary (or supplemental) means of game distribution.

Thanks to the cloud, it’s quite easy for a gamer to go online, through their laptops or mobile devices, and play or download a game.  Even ancient game publishers like EA have taken a liking to online software distribution, sending OTA updates, expansion packs and more.

Key design features of Akamai Electronic Software Delivery for Gaming include:

Akamai Download Manager

• Customizable download experience and download workflows
• Efficiently optimizes the download of large files, up to 10 GB (the equivalent of 2 DVDs)
• Users have more control, including the ability to start, pause and restart downloads

Akamai Download Analytics

• Insight into quality of service metrics, audience demographics, and user engagement
• The ability to perform download funnel analysis and report on key performance metrics by game, distribution channel and referring site

HTTP Delivery

• Enables an efficient delivery of large game files through a hybrid model of HTTP edge server delivery and client side delivery

More predictable delivery costs