OnLive: The future of gaming is here

[SomeBritishDude]

Quote from the artical

[quote/]Before I dive into what OnLive is and how it works, let me start by saying that you should read every word of this article as this service has the potential to completely change the way games are played. If it works and gets proper support from both publishers and gamers, you may never need a high-end PC to play the latest games, or perhaps even ever buy a console again. That is not an exaggeration.[/quote]

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/965/965535p1.html

Thoughts?

 

[Simriel]

Not going to work for high end games.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

Not going to work for high end games.

I think the point is it will. You won't need a high end PC to play a CryEngine game. That's the gist I get.

The main problem I see is lag.

 

[Simriel]

Not going to work for high end games.

I think the point is it will. You won't need a high end PC to play a CryEngine game. That's the gist I get.

The main problem I see is lag.

That is what i meant. The data transfer for high end games will be huge. It will render them unplayable.

 

[Dessembrae]

Not going to work for high end games.

I think the point is it will. You won't need a high end PC to play a CryEngine game. That's the gist I get.

The main problem I see is lag.

That is what i meant. The data transfer for high end games will be huge. It will render them unplayable.

Not necessarily as they pointed out a 5.0 mbit connection should be fine for the actual (720P) video feed. I'm more concerned with where they place their servers! after all even if you have a 20 or 100 mbit connection. if the servers are in the US and you are in Australia or Europe there will be a delay no matter what you do.
I do however believe their is some potential for it, as in the case of vacations (like when there is pissing rain outside, and you're in a hotel with good connection.) or lunch break at school/work and such things. doubt it will have any mayor impact on the more serious games (especially vs games).

 

[entwinex]

I think this is the future, but it will take time, internet speeds are still lagging behind too much. Still a very cool concept, I wonder how many people they can provide the service for.

 

[Theo Samaritan]

That is what i meant. The data transfer for high end games will be huge. It will render them unplayable.

It would be no different from streaming Crysis videos in 720p off youtube other than the fact you'll be controlling the action.

Meanwhile, I do not like this. YES it is very good technology - cloud computing that may actually work - but to me it just doesn't beat the idea of holding a game in your hand.

I also dislike the idea that if their servers go down you can't access your game. If Steam goes down, the game is local so you can still play it in offline mode...

It may be part of the future of videogaming, but I doubt enough people will buy into it to make it the only outfit.

 

[onelifecrisis]

Wow, thanks for letting us know! It certainly looks interesting.

 

[tinkyyy]

For someone like me, who has a fairly low spec computer, this could be a good thing, providing internet connections and stuff can actually handle it.

Seems quite an interesting idea.

Meanwhile, I do not like this. YES it is very good technology - cloud computing that may actually work - but to me it just doesn't beat the idea of holding a game in your hand.

I also dislike the idea that if their servers go down you can't access your game. If Steam goes down, the game is local so you can still play it in offline mode...

I do have to agree with both of those points though.

 

[Yooz]

So if you have a crappy connection you're back to square one with the games?

 

[SomeBritishDude]

Well, I can see why it could be a problem. My internet connecting is iffy at best, so I doubt I'd be able to run. It's certainly something to think about for the future.

 

[Grumman]

I wouldn't touch it. I don't like subscription-based services and I don't like paying for things that are totally dependent on a single supplier to continue functioning.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

I'm so optimistic about this. It's going to be better than the Phantom and Gizmondo combined.

I'm more than willing to give up the ability to play locally whenever I want for games that are apparently "playable" but not as good as console versions. It's win-win for me really.

 

[Crunchy English]

Ugh, stuff like this is often region based, which means as a Canadian I can't use it. I was always intrigued by the idea of GameTap, which is considerably less sophisticated than this, but because of where I live, I wasn't allowed to sign up. Is this OnLive service available everywhere? Will it ever be that big?

Also, the idea of playing Mass Effect or some other huge PC RPG on my Macbook at school... that has the potential to destroy my personal productivity.

 

[mooncalf]

Low system requirements and speed are the carrot, inherent DRM and subscription fees the stick.

*EDIT* Could be a brilliant low-cost platform for hotel suites and net cafes.

 

[Ranooth]

Reading up on it now, im bloody speachless.

If done right this will change EVERYTHING!

(and damm you for beating me to post)

 

[li-ion]

Great idea, I definitely check it out if it also launches in Europe anytime soon. I love the idea of renting it online and buying if I like it. This could be the future of gaming.

If Onlive goes live and get's accepted, I'm sure we gonna see something new form of xbox-live as well soon. AFAIK they don't make money with the hardware sales anyway. M$ was always a software company, so would make perfect sense if they jump onto the train.

 

[Erana]

You still need a good video card...