Cloud Computing Console May Change Face of Gaming
One of the hottest and most closely watched developments coming of this week’s Game Developers Conference is OnLive, the brainchild of Rearden Studios. There is somewhat of a console component to it, and it’s smaller than a Nintendo Wii…or GameCube, for that matter. But OnLive promises to let you play the hottest, most graphic intensive PC games on the market. You don’t need the hottest PC on the market to play them, either. You may not even need a mediocre PC, or a PC at all. All you need is a broadband connection.
OnLive’s patented technology uses cloud computing that allow users to play games by video streaming. OnLive’s computers do all the powerful work, and the result is streamed back to gamers at up to 720p HD resolution via the Internet. You’ll still be playing and interacting, but OnLive will do all the processing. Both video encoding and ping time are advertised to take less than one millisecond.
OnLive is expected to work on a PC, Mac, or TV via the company’s MicroConsole. OnLive may allow users to get the console for free with a service contract. Because the console merely serves as a video decoder, it could also be sold significantly below the cost of current consoles.
Several big names in gaming are on board with OnLive, and they include Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, THQ, Atari, and Ubisoft, among many others. In beta testing now, the service is expected to launch later this year, with server hubs dotted across the United States.
What are your thoughts toward OnLive? Do you think there’s big potential for powerful PC gaming without the expensive rig, or do you think there’s some risk of a flop if connections aren’t up to snuff; especially when several providers are now limiting monthly bandwidth? Tell us in the comments below.
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I read about this sort of idea years ago, looks like technology is finally catching up.
Obviously there’s a market, but a lot depends on the implementation and how high quality the service actually is. If it crashes or lags too often, it could quickly sour the experience.
There’s also the problem of using up your ISP bandwidth too quickly.
(By the way, by “across the country”, I assume you mean America right?)
A new console? Cool… But I’m happy with my Wii so I don’t want this. And my router isn’t so good.
Hmmm, as long as this is cheap, I’ll get this!
I think this sounds like an excellent idea. Hope it works in theory.
This sounds interesting, I hope it can get some headway in sales though, with the wii covering the casual gamers, and the xbox360 and Ps3 Covering the “hardcore” gamers.
I’m happy with my Wii and PS3. I don’t like the idea of relying on an internet connection just to play games.
You know, I saw this on Yahoo News earlier today and the headline read “…May Outrank Wii, Xbox 360″. What the hell? Is it already better than the PS3?
Hmm….I’ll keep my eye on this one. Sounds interesting.
LONG LIVE XBOX360!!! I’m confident this won’t result in nothing…
Besides, a console WITHOUT ANY HARDWARE? wtf
Who would buy it anyway?
coffZEEBOcoff
I dont know why I am going off topic but Nintendo said(from Gamespot) says the Wii can recieve DLC now from downloading something on your Wii
You know, as a soon-to-be major in software engenneering, it should only be fair to tell you guys that buzzwords like server-side processing might not sound as cute as they seem, neither is cloud-computing.
I was also caught up in the bandwagon, but then I started to actually think about it, it’s not really as romantic as it sounds…
First up, cloud-computing requires that Onlive micro console for a reason, it works in the same manner as a one huge central mainframe with hundreds of dummy access points(keyboard and mouse). Technically you have no independent processing, data is always stored on the mainframe.
This might bring up some privacy and ownership issues…
But still, the best way for this to properly function would have to be on a peer-to-peer basis, say you want to run Crysis, with peer-to-peer the processing is shared by all the active peers, because I doubt that a single server could take up to those many PCs hooked up on a single game.
Basically cloud-computing has no actual central infrastructure, it all shared by those involved. Like Bittorrent or that SETI@Home or Folding@Home networks.
Just thought you guys would like to know…
I just noticed this contradiction:
“First up, cloud-computing requires that Onlive micro console for a reason, it works in the same manner as a one huge central mainframe with hundreds of dummy access points(keyboard and mouse). Technically you have no independent processing, data is always stored on the mainframe.
This might bring up some privacy and ownership issues…”
The last part is true, somewhat, the data you have is kept by a a third party, which is whoever runs the Onlive service.
@gabsoni:
Do you even realize what you said? A hell of a lot of people who can’t afford upgrading more than once a year would buy this. People (PC gamers) who have crappy computers and want to experience games like Crysis would buy this (like me). People who want to try out a game and then purchase it without downloading anything would buy this. Also, your double negative makes it so you’re confident this will result in something.
@Impish:
I don’t see how this is like the Zeebo. OnLive seems much better.
But still, I have my doubts as well. I am very hopeful about this, though. I really do hope this takes off, but not enough to kill consoles off. Not yet.
amm…i want a Dreamcast 2? maybe?
ok…is just a dream ¬¬
Is TSSZ Gamespot now?
Also, the PC and Mac doesn’t need the plug-in. Just a simple 1MB download.
@serpx
No, obviously TSSZ is still mainly focused on Sonic and Sega news but we’ve been known to write about other things of interest from time to time. A system that could potentially change the way we play games forever and spell the end of game retail stores might just be big enough to try and draw people’s attention towards.