Server platforms Toolkit

Grid computing plays games

David Becker CNET News.com

Published: 04 Jun 2004 12:35 BST

Forget about banking or biotechnology -- one of the hottest emerging markets for makers of server hardware, software and services revolves around elves and magic potions.

Inspired by predictions of brisk growth in the $1bn (£0.54bn) online gaming market, IBM, Sun Microsystems and other companies normally not associated with dragon-slaying adventures have launched projects recently to handle the complex infrastructure needed to run online games.

IBM is one of the main backers of Butterfly.net, a growing effort to apply grid supercomputing techniques to operating online games. The company is busy adapting other aspects of its "on-demand computing" strategy to running games.

Sun last year formed a Game Technologies Group aimed at expanding the use of Java as a game foundation and promoting Sun hardware and service to run online games.

Then there's database giant Oracle, which adapted its grid-computing technology to host the high-profile "Sims Online" game, and telecom giant Alcatel. They and other companies make it look like the game industry is turning into a new playground for enterprise technology companies.

"The gaming industry is really going through a transition now," said Steve Canepa, vice president of IBM's media and entertainment group. "We think there's a real opportunity for IBM to play a role in that transition."

Revenue from the North American online game market is currently estimated at just short of $1bn, according to research firm IDC, with 20 percent annual growth expected over the next few years. Researcher Themis Group expects the worldwide market will grow to $9bn in 10 years, thanks to rapid growth in Asia.