OnLive

[Midnite]

http://www.onlive.com/

I remember this from last year on IGN. Do you guys think OnLive to make PC and console online gaming obsolete?

[TheMarvell]

if it's successful, then eventually, yes.

This looks like one of the few things the gaming industry has created that will actually change the way we play games, that isn't a gimmick (I'm looking at you, Project Natal and everything trying to copy the Wii). This looks like a blessing for gamers, but a curse for game publishers. It's hard to say, but wouldn't this (assuming it's successful) abolish console exclusive games and consoles itself? I'm not sure how it works yet, but will you need a console to use it? Like streaming Netflix through your Xbox?

[bredon7777]

Nope.  Costs 14.95 per month and that doesn't get you access to any games. Those are extra.

This will crash and burn inside of a year.

[TheMarvell]

I didn't realize the pricing of this. That's not very good if you ask me.

But then again, there are plenty of people willing to throw their money away on digital clothing for their Xbox avatar. I will never understand that, but that's another story.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Even if this specific service does not survive, it will become the prototype for what computers and the internet are already moving toward.  It may go the way of a couple of services like this, or it may go the way of each software company having it's own servers with perhaps client programs licensed from third parities, similar to some graphics engines and such.

[Midnight]

I'm not convinced that thin clients will ever make a comeback, especially with the way hardware continues to improve while prices remain steady.

[BlueBard]

Actually, I see a service like this as being able to completely bypass hardware requirements.  The games will eventually be optimized for OnLive's service.

I can imagine being able to play games that previously required a dedicated console, or games that won't otherwise run on the PC I've got.  I won't have to own three or four different consoles and keep upgrading/replacing my PC just to play games.  Heck, I might even be able to play on XP running on a VM instance on a Linux box.

It probably won't replace dedicated hardware, but it may very well supplement it.

[JeyNyce]

This is nice, but ahead of it's time.  When Sony, Microsoft, & Nintendo decides to work together, then something like this would be the ultimate console.  You can play Gears of War then play a game of Mario Bros, then play a Sony game (couldn't think of one).  Just for good measures, play a game of Freedom Force when you're feeling like PC.

[BlueBard]

See, here's the thing... Sony doesn't write games themselves.  They just front for other developers.  Nintendo and Microsoft do sometimes, but those platforms are open to other developers, too.  Activision doesn't even have their own console, but their games tend to be available on more than one platform.  A lot of the biggest games are ported to multiple platforms.  GoLive will be just one more platform; if it gets enough momentum then games will get ported to it.  It might even be a preferred platform, since the hardware specs and operating system will be known factors and make porting easier.  And it's cheaper than buying multiple consoles at $200-$400 a pop.

[Midnite]

OnLive's Monthly Subscription Fees Are Dead

[lugaru]

I think it is a cool idea and I'm a huge fan of all things digital (I have a Marvel digital suscription for example, and netflix) but I did not recently buy a fancy computer and got a bunch of games on steam to play with a slight lag.

In the future with most console games available I will give this a stab, to play those console games I would otherwise never touch.