Electronic Arts has acquired the cloud gaming technology and personnel of a subsidiary of GameFly, otherwise known for its game rental via mail subscription service. While EA hasn't spoken on its plans for the newly acquired cloud gaming tech, the message seems clear: expect EA to implement cloud gaming tech into its games and platforms in the relatively near future.

Ken Moss, Chief Technology Officer of Electronic Arts, expounded on the publisher's thoughts on cloud gaming and the new acquisition:

"Cloud gaming is an exciting frontier that will help us to give even more players the ability to experience games on any device from anywhere. We’re thrilled to bring this talented team’s expertise into EA as we continue to innovate and expand the future of games and play."

According to EA's press release, the acquisition was completed this May. No financial details regarding the acquisition have yet to be made available.

While EA may now own GameFly's video game streaming technology and development team, it does not own the service's existing streaming service. As such, GameFly will continue to provide its video game streaming service to subscribers for the foreseeable future. GameFly has a robust library of titles that subscribers can rent and stream at will, with features including cloud game saves, couch multiplayer, free game trials, and unlimited access.

Electronic Arts could, theoretically, implement a similar cloud gaming feature-set into its Origin PC storefront or even through the EA Access subscription on console. Such a project likely won't be done overnight, of course. And there's no promise that Electronic Arts would even consider such a project necessary. The publisher may be thinking about some other application entirely, such as joining a growing wave of games for the Nintendo Switch which are streamed via the cloud.

All things considered, Electronic Arts' purchase of GameFly's cloud gaming subsidiary comes as somewhat of a surprise. While cloud gaming has never necessarily fallen out of the public purview, the technology has in recent years fallen on the backburner as the realities of modern technology's limitations became apparent. Broadband just isn't being upgraded fast enough, and ISPs are making it all the tougher with new bandwidth caps and increased pricing.

Nonetheless, whatever Electronic Arts' goals may be, the company is moving forward with cloud gaming. Who knows, maybe today's acquisition could prove a portentous event in several years.