ASR Coming to OnLive?

New Interview with Hayes Suggests Support for Platform

The tail end of an interview published today between GamesIndustry.biz’s Matt Martin and Sega West head Mike Hayes suggests the company will put at least some weight toward OnLive, the just launched gaming-on-demand platform, as part of its digital distribution strategy.

That strategy, according to Hayes, will include a possible port of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing to the platform.  As hinted in the interview, two more Sega games may also be on their way, with the American division heading up execution efforts:

We’ve got three titles with OnLive – Virtua Tennis, Alpha Protocol and Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing. Those would be managed out of the USA as part of the digital business. If we were starting from scratch we’d run it all out of the US but the heritage of electronics sales just happens to be in Europe, and it doesn’t make sense to move it across.

Hayes made the remarks when asked by Martin how services like OnLive fit into Sega’s new digital business strategy.

For those unaware, OnLive is essentially cloud computing for video games, accessible via a PC, Mac, or television via an adapter.  We first reported on the technology in March of 2009, but it’s just started to roll out in select areas of the United States as of June 17th.  A promotion is current underway that offers the first year of OnLive service for free, and a second year at a discount.  Other reports have suggested regular OnLive access fees to hit $14.95 a month.