PC gaming "On Demand" - OnLive... looks interesting...
25 March 2009, 03:14 PM
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PC gaming "On Demand" - OnLive... looks interesting...
OnLive: Games On Demand
Who says you need a top-end PC to have fun with PC games?
This looks really quite interesting... run games on serious hardware in a data-centre and stream the video (cleverly compressed I guess) to any browser. Games start instantly, and games developers/publishers have absolutely no distribution or piracy concerns. Sounds like an ideal model - if it works...
Unfortunately, beta testing in the US this summer and rolling out Winter 2009. Not talk of European launch yet, but could be one to keep an eye on.
What do you think?
DN
Who says you need a top-end PC to have fun with PC games?
This looks really quite interesting... run games on serious hardware in a data-centre and stream the video (cleverly compressed I guess) to any browser. Games start instantly, and games developers/publishers have absolutely no distribution or piracy concerns. Sounds like an ideal model - if it works...
Unfortunately, beta testing in the US this summer and rolling out Winter 2009. Not talk of European launch yet, but could be one to keep an eye on.
What do you think?
DN
31 March 2009, 09:15 PM
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Running in a browser is one thing (flash, java, etc. apps) - they still effectively execute and run on the local PC.
What this appears to be suggesting is that the local PC simply acts as a streaming video viewer, and control feedback machine, with all of the processing and graphics clever stuff actually executing/happening on a remote PC within their hosting centre.
Will be interesting to see how (or even if) it does work - and as Iain suggests, quite how it'll work with broadband caps imposed by UK ISPs (and I guess US ones as well). Anyone know if streaming video does actually count towards the limits (can't see why it wouldn't)???
Can you start BBC iPlayer running and sit watching it all day without hitting download limits / traffic shaping (or not noticing that you hit them) - I guess so - but this indicates that it'll be much better quality than normal PC based VOD.
Have to wait and see I guess...
What this appears to be suggesting is that the local PC simply acts as a streaming video viewer, and control feedback machine, with all of the processing and graphics clever stuff actually executing/happening on a remote PC within their hosting centre.
Will be interesting to see how (or even if) it does work - and as Iain suggests, quite how it'll work with broadband caps imposed by UK ISPs (and I guess US ones as well). Anyone know if streaming video does actually count towards the limits (can't see why it wouldn't)???
Can you start BBC iPlayer running and sit watching it all day without hitting download limits / traffic shaping (or not noticing that you hit them) - I guess so - but this indicates that it'll be much better quality than normal PC based VOD.
Have to wait and see I guess...
03 April 2009, 01:12 PM
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Download limits, yes. Traffic shaping, no!
My isp throtle back all the time, if they had told me this when i signed up i would have said no!
My isp throtle back all the time, if they had told me this when i signed up i would have said no!
03 April 2009, 01:53 PM
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If we lived somewhere where every house had fibre optic telecoms provided to the front door then yes it could work. Unfortunately most of us are stuck with the existing cr*ppy infrastructure provided years ago by BT and are forced to use ADSL to get a ropey broadband connection over several miles of twisted pair. Mine tops out a 2MB/sec. Don't suppose the ping times are upto much either if you're talking about controlling something accurately on a remote computer.
Nice idea but unless you are within a Virgin Media catchment area I would hold your breath.
Nice idea but unless you are within a Virgin Media catchment area I would hold your breath.
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03 April 2009, 02:07 PM
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11 March 2010, 03:31 PM
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Better late than never - seems to be launching, in the US, in June now.
BBC News - 'Console killer' OnLive to launch in June
BBC News - 'Console killer' OnLive to launch in June
11 March 2010, 04:21 PM
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Apparently PC gaming rose by 3% last year according to the PC Gaming Alliance, would be interesting to see if this has any effect at all, but i feel the majority of pc gaming to come is going to be lazy console ports with higher res textures.
Might as well just buy a console if this is the case.
IIRC even Crysis 2 has been dumbed down to run on the consoles, so i am not sure we can expect anything amazing this time around when its released.
Might as well just buy a console if this is the case.
IIRC even Crysis 2 has been dumbed down to run on the consoles, so i am not sure we can expect anything amazing this time around when its released.
12 March 2010, 12:36 PM
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So you basically pay for time using their software & hardware right? Just how does that work with online play tied to a username for stats etc.
Sounds like something for the casual gamer to me if Im honest. For the price of $15 per month its not long before youve coughed up more than a console purchase price. And the $15 will probably be the subscription rate + some cheap games.
Simon
Sounds like something for the casual gamer to me if Im honest. For the price of $15 per month its not long before youve coughed up more than a console purchase price. And the $15 will probably be the subscription rate + some cheap games.
Simon
12 March 2010, 04:50 PM
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IIRC they are releasing it with Borderlands which is a co-op game so it will be interesting to see how it all works out.
You might get a kinda gamertag, a bit like a steam account?
You might get a kinda gamertag, a bit like a steam account?
12 March 2010, 06:04 PM
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I see you will be able to purchase the games as well as rent them for say a 5 day period? I was going to download Red Alert 3 from EA website at xmas and it was £20 for a digital copy yet ebay had the game disk brand new from njmerous sellers for £13 delivered. I pressume this new service will be over the top on pricing as well
12 March 2010, 11:08 PM
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Maybe, maybe not, will have to wait and see.
Steam are still selling the PC version of Borderlands for £29.99
Yet you can buy a new retail PC copy in the uk for £12/£13
Shame as i fancied buying the steam PC version, but in the end i bought a new sealed x360 copy so i could play coop with my mate - £18 delivered.
Steam are still selling the PC version of Borderlands for £29.99
Yet you can buy a new retail PC copy in the uk for £12/£13
Shame as i fancied buying the steam PC version, but in the end i bought a new sealed x360 copy so i could play coop with my mate - £18 delivered.
19 June 2010, 02:12 PM
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Coming to the UK at some point in the not-too-distant hopefully:
http://blog.onlive.com/2010/05/13/on...ing-to-europe/
Getting some VERY good reviews in the US, where it has now gone public. They've also just announced that they'll release a "mini console", or TV adaptor, so that you can play without a PC - which will be available, in the US, before Christmas. The CEO has stated that the electronics are very simple, and that the plastic case and connectors cost more!
Any of the "nay-sayers" having second thoughts about the ability of OnLive to actually do this, and deliver a good quality gaming service from the cloud?
Will keep watching...
DN
http://blog.onlive.com/2010/05/13/on...ing-to-europe/
Getting some VERY good reviews in the US, where it has now gone public. They've also just announced that they'll release a "mini console", or TV adaptor, so that you can play without a PC - which will be available, in the US, before Christmas. The CEO has stated that the electronics are very simple, and that the plastic case and connectors cost more!
Any of the "nay-sayers" having second thoughts about the ability of OnLive to actually do this, and deliver a good quality gaming service from the cloud?
Will keep watching...
DN
19 June 2010, 11:37 PM
#21
Fiber optic internet,its great but now in these times its overpriced.BTW for run OnLive(off course in USA ) you need at least 10mbps and WiFi its not supported.OnLive have great potential for people who want play games on PC but don't want buy new PC or new components,or new consoles.
20 June 2010, 02:55 PM
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Only as far as BT are hosting it for them, and hence they've done a deal whereby BT can bundle the OnLine service with BT internet access. The bundling is exclusive - no other ISP will be able to offer it.
The OnLive service will be available to everyone in the UK, irrespective of the ISP they use...
The OnLive service will be available to everyone in the UK, irrespective of the ISP they use...
20 June 2010, 02:58 PM
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Fiber optic internet,its great but now in these times its overpriced.BTW for run OnLive(off course in USA ) you need at least 10mbps and WiFi its not supported.OnLive have great potential for people who want play games on PC but don't want buy new PC or new components,or new consoles.
...and whilst wifi isn't supported AT THE MOMENT, there's no good technical reason why it won't be supported in the future. As this is a very new service, obviously using some interesting technology, they're just keeping the variables to a minimum during the initial roll-out - hence no wifi.
(Guess who's been reading the FAQs on the website! Check here: http://www.onlive.com/support/performance for info on both of the above points.)
21 June 2010, 05:47 PM
#24
The pricing of games (rental) sucks. It's not looking too good even if the tech is capable of running the game.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fu...ricing-options
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fu...ricing-options
08 October 2010, 01:42 PM
#25
News...
Seems there is a free client that you can d/l. They've changed some of their pricing, no more "rental fee" so you just pay for the game - much more acceptable. It seems they have other services such as Arena where you can spectate - not sure if that will be free. And crucially you can play demo's for free. Also other things like Market place, videos etc. I guess it's one step further on from the idea that Steam brought us. However I still seem lots of comments on game forums about wanting to own/have the physical media and Steam digital downloads have been with us for what 5+ years(?). So the idea of owning the DVD hasn't died has it?
http://www.onlive.com
I took a look specifically because of the free demo's and the only game listed as demo is Dirt 2, in my case that'll be a pretty good comparison as I already have the Xbox 360 version. Other prices (in $) look acceptable to me.
However after downloading the client, it borks at something not being to spec. I'm still using a BT connection (currently only 2.5mpbs down) to my main PC. Thought I've just got in Virgin, I'll swap to my Virgin connection and give it a go when I have time. Minimum spec is all acceptable apart from my net connection, they want 3mbps, so it appears to be this.
Also I can't quite see if they have the UK service ready yet, so it may be that I use US servers, which may not be a good test.
Seems there is a free client that you can d/l. They've changed some of their pricing, no more "rental fee" so you just pay for the game - much more acceptable. It seems they have other services such as Arena where you can spectate - not sure if that will be free. And crucially you can play demo's for free. Also other things like Market place, videos etc. I guess it's one step further on from the idea that Steam brought us. However I still seem lots of comments on game forums about wanting to own/have the physical media and Steam digital downloads have been with us for what 5+ years(?). So the idea of owning the DVD hasn't died has it?
http://www.onlive.com
I took a look specifically because of the free demo's and the only game listed as demo is Dirt 2, in my case that'll be a pretty good comparison as I already have the Xbox 360 version. Other prices (in $) look acceptable to me.
However after downloading the client, it borks at something not being to spec. I'm still using a BT connection (currently only 2.5mpbs down) to my main PC. Thought I've just got in Virgin, I'll swap to my Virgin connection and give it a go when I have time. Minimum spec is all acceptable apart from my net connection, they want 3mbps, so it appears to be this.
Also I can't quite see if they have the UK service ready yet, so it may be that I use US servers, which may not be a good test.
21 June 2011, 05:37 PM
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Well - after starting this thread more than 2 years ago OnLive is taking registrations for a UK launch in the Autumn:
http://onlive.co.uk/uk
Anyone tempted?
http://onlive.co.uk/uk
Anyone tempted?
23 September 2011, 12:48 AM
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23 September 2011, 05:02 AM
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I had this downloaded ages ago, load of **** unless you have very fast broadband.
I like the idea tho, but il stick to my consoles.
I had it on the laptop, and didn't have a clue what the controls were,
but there's a box and controller you can buy and hook it up to the tv.
Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MRowKbtkaQ
Are gamestop doing something similar soon?
I like the idea tho, but il stick to my consoles.
I had it on the laptop, and didn't have a clue what the controls were,
but there's a box and controller you can buy and hook it up to the tv.
Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MRowKbtkaQ
Are gamestop doing something similar soon?