Level 3 Powers Gaikai's State-of-the-Art, Cloud-Based Streaming Video Game Experiences

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), which provides content and IP-based delivery solutions for some of the world's largest online gaming companies, today announced an agreement with Gaikai, Inc. to deliver a complete high performance, low latency online infrastructure for its cloud gaming service.

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Gaikai's interactive network is a cloud gaming service that provides the ability to instantaneously deliver high-end video game experiences directly online, using any Web browser, with no special plugins or downloads required. Partners include Electronic Arts and Walmart, and an affiliate network reaching over 10 million users. To ensure Gaikai is able to provide seamless, superior quality experiences for popular games such as "The Sims®," "Mass Effect 2®" and "Crysis 2®," the company is using Level 3's High Speed IP (HSIP) and Colocation services.

"We've built the fastest, lowest latency interactive network in the world, and plan to expand the capacity to reach even more gamers using Level 3's incredible array of IP services," said David Perry,  CEO of Gaikai.  "We have focused religiously on the quality of the experience and are confident of being able to reach an audience of over 100 million users within the next year."

"We know that when it comes to leading-edge online experiences like cloud gaming, the ability for a gamer to begin playing immediately and become fully immersed in a game is critical," said Jeff Storey, president and chief operating officer at Level 3. "Gaikai's foundation is built upon providing an unparalleled gaming experience that eliminates the need for expensive hardware and cumbersome registration requirements. Their decision to use Level 3's Internet backbone for its services is a testament to the quality and performance of our global network platform."

The Level 3 network is trusted by many leading entertainment and media companies to deliver content to audiences worldwide. The company's services for the gaming industry are similarly designed to seamlessly deliver high-quality online content to end-users, allowing developers and publishers to spend more time designing and developing the best games possible and less time thinking about how to deliver them online.

For more information on Level 3's services for the gaming industry, visit www.level3.com/en/Solutions/industry/Digital-Entertainment/Gaming.aspx

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com.  Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. 

About Gaikai Inc.

Gaikai is the world's first interactive cloud streaming platform that provides its partners with the ability to instantly stream state-of-the-art video game and software experiences through the Internet to any web browser, running on any operating system. Headquartered in Southern California, Gaikai is backed by Benchmark Capital, Rustic Canyon, NEA, Intel Capital, Qualcomm and Limelight Networks. To add Gaikai powered video games to your website please visit: www.gaikai.com/affiliates

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Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3's control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to:  the company's ability to successfully integrate the Global Crossing acquisition, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; a discontinuation of the development and expansion of the Internet as a communications medium and marketplace for the distribution and consumption of data and video; and disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3's ability to obtain additional financing.  Additional factors include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to:  increase and maintain the volume of traffic on its network; develop effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate future acquisitions; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.