Gaming Reviews: Onlive Streaming Video Game Service | Pinoy ...

A look at the OnLive streaming video game service.

There are many ways to get and play video games. Some gamers prefer PC games while others swear by console based games on systems such as Playstation, XBox, and Wii. Some games allow users to play online versus other players. Some services such as Valve?s Steam allow you to access and download purchased digital copies of games anywhere you have computer access.

But OnLive is a service that has the potential to be revolutionary. Much like Netflix has been for movies and Hulu for TV, OnLive strives to be for video gaming. The service allows you to play a variety of video games in real time over a high speed internet connection.

The implications for this are huge. Regardless of your computer and the specs of your computer you can in theory play the latest and greatest video games over an internet connection on your computer. There is no downloading of game files, everything is hosted on OnLive servers. For users interested a box can even be purchased complete with controllers to play on TVs instead of computers.

I had a chance to play around with the latest beta version of OnLive and here are some things that are beneficial, things that need work, and an overall look at the service.

Ease of use:

You simply install a small system file, run it, create an online account and log in. The entire system and all games, information, and files are housed on remote servers.? The layout is a series of giant panels each displaying options such as ?Game Library,? ?Friends,? ?New Games,? ?Options,? and so forth.

For example you click on ?New Games? or ?Game Library?, choose the game you want to play, select ?trial,? ?a multi day pass? or ?full? and after payment the game instantly loads, no software to download. The controls are intuitive for the most part.

Game selection:

?As of December 2010 the selection is very small but it is impressive to see a wide range of games from the latest blockbuster games to some small indie games. The selection on OnLive is likely to grow. Unlike Steam and unlike consoles, OnLive appears poised to offer both console only games and PC only games under one service.

System requirements:

Nearly any computer with a high speed connection can be used. Since all games are essentially played through a web browser, all hardware is housed remotely. You aren?t playing the game on your computer, you are sending and receiving data. Every command you make (such as moving the mouse) is quickly sent to the remote server, and the proper in game response is sent back. This frees people from having to keep the computer upgraded or buy multiple consoles.

Game play:

This is where OnLive may suffer the most. The concept is great but still ahead of its time. OnLive recommends data connections of at least 5mbits/sec, most users don?t have those speeds yet. While the games I played didn?t lag noticeably there was a distinct blurriness to some games and latency is going to be an issue for a while. Mouse movements were noticeably affected by lag and latency with in play game action less noticeably affected. Other than lag and latency issues (that while minimal still make OnLive ?not quite? as good as a console or PC where games are on a disc or drive) the game play was standard as any console or PC.

Cost:

This is another area where OnLive may suffer. Initially a monthly subscription was charged, it was later dropped for pay as you play (buy only access to games you want) and subscription might return. While the prices for most games seemed very low (under 10) for a ?full? use access of the game, paying more than 2 or 3 dollars for a ?3-day? or ?5-day? pass of the game seemed too pricey. Another concern is that unlike digitally purchasing and downloading game content, like on Steam, the OnLive games never become yours. You are simply paying for ?access? to play the game. Note that OnLive might change costs such as offering optional subscription based services.

If the internet goes down, the servers are busy, or OnLive goes out of business?you were paying for a service not any of the actual games. Sure services like Netflix are in essence paying for content you?ll never ?own? but at the same time how often do you re-watch a movie or TV show versus how much time you may spend playing the same video game.

Overall:

OnLive is clearly a revolutionary product. But like other writers have stated in reviews, OnLive may be far ahead of its time. If it takes off the stress and strain it will put on networks and internet servers will be huge and the game play may take a bit. Unlike streaming movies which is basically the server sending you video data, OnLive servers not only have to ?stream? the game to you in real time but have to stream your control movements and input fast enough so that the on screen action appears to respond instantly like games locally on one?s computer or console. Any latency or lag will decrease playability.

For casual gamers or gamers who don?t want to have to have a ?high end? PC to play games or buy multiple gaming consoles, OnLive offers the ability to play many video games on any computer and that in itself is a great feat. However the realistic fact that users are paying for ?access? to games they don?t own and playing the game at a slightly lower quality and performance level than local hard drive content or console discs will be huge challenges for OnLive to overcome.? OnLive offers a look into what is a likely future for video games but it may be like pre ?iPod? MP3 players and pre ?iPad? tablet PCs, a great concept but way ahead of its time.

http://www.onlive.com

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