Wednesday, March 25th 2009
New On-Demand Gaming Platform Threatens to Kill Gaming PC Upgrades
We all regard PC games, as an entertainment medium, but spend hundreds to even thousands of Dollars regularly, to keep our PCs up to date, to be able to play the latest PC games. Imagine a medium that rids us of that, and we are able to consume PC gaming like any other content, like the TV or radio. Well, that the potential a new on-demand gaming platform holds - to make you never have to buy/upgrade a gaming PC again.
Called OnLive, the on-demand platform consists of a web service, an internet connection, and a thin-client, called "micro-console" that connects your input (game controllers), and output (monitor/TV/HDTV). You control the game - whichever you're subscribed to and playing - the client relays your input to the OnLive servers, that do the processing, including graphics rendering, and send back output to your client. The client then displays the output. Sounds familiar? Cloud computing? Exactly, but for PC gaming. The platform is conceptualized to be advanced-enough to handle any of today's games, Crysis included. The work-model of this platform is what makes it tick with any game, and is far more future-proof than the present mode of PC gaming (where people own expensive hardware that are in requirement of upgrades, the costs of buying games, buying gaming services separate).
For standard definition television quality, a broadband connection of at least 1.5 megabits per second is required. For HDTV resolution, a connection of at least 5 mbps is needed. The service uses patented algorithms that work to counter lag caused by network constraints. The technology is already gaining attention from major publishers, including EA, THQ, Codemasters, Ubisoft, Atari, Warner Bros., Take-Two, and Epic. People can buy or rent a game to play it, the usage fees are expected not to be much more than the subscription fees for Xbox Live.
Source:
Kokatu
Called OnLive, the on-demand platform consists of a web service, an internet connection, and a thin-client, called "micro-console" that connects your input (game controllers), and output (monitor/TV/HDTV). You control the game - whichever you're subscribed to and playing - the client relays your input to the OnLive servers, that do the processing, including graphics rendering, and send back output to your client. The client then displays the output. Sounds familiar? Cloud computing? Exactly, but for PC gaming. The platform is conceptualized to be advanced-enough to handle any of today's games, Crysis included. The work-model of this platform is what makes it tick with any game, and is far more future-proof than the present mode of PC gaming (where people own expensive hardware that are in requirement of upgrades, the costs of buying games, buying gaming services separate).
For standard definition television quality, a broadband connection of at least 1.5 megabits per second is required. For HDTV resolution, a connection of at least 5 mbps is needed. The service uses patented algorithms that work to counter lag caused by network constraints. The technology is already gaining attention from major publishers, including EA, THQ, Codemasters, Ubisoft, Atari, Warner Bros., Take-Two, and Epic. People can buy or rent a game to play it, the usage fees are expected not to be much more than the subscription fees for Xbox Live.
246 Comments on New On-Demand Gaming Platform Threatens to Kill Gaming PC Upgrades
I think its cheaper to have a good computer then it is to buy lots of games, it is over here anyway. A good computer will cost you about $1000 to run all games good enough, but if you play lots of games, there around $100+ each, after awhile that adds up.
This is going to be like World Of Warcraft but without the install.
600 USD dude
I like spending money on new hardware to gain several fps in the games I like to pay :laugh:
Unless they have perfected subspace quantum entanglement-based networking, there is NO WAY AROUND NETWORK LATENCY!
Between the time you input an action, it traveling across copper and fiber for tens or hundreds of miles THEN BACK, you will notice a significant input delay.
:banghead:
If the technology behind this were real, it would have far more useful applications than streaming games to a glorified video decoder box.
40x12months=480$ a year + 50$ OnLive account fee. that 530$ a year. you can upgrade a computer with 530$ can you? im sure you can. i dont see any massive savings. also..i really love upgrading my pc, getting that nice box that has tons of logos on it and the big graphics card inside the box / cpu / motherboard. its great also the quality is better no compressed pixels no "low latency" lag. and if you think about it you would be killing so many companies with this. no to mention that like this games will hardly ever become better looking because you [well not you. but OnLive] would have to upgrade a server farm just to be able to run a new game that comes out. i really love my pc and i can't see myself buying one of these. if this idea caught up i can see alot of pc stores and com[uter labs closing down and with the world economy like it is i think more unemployment isn't something you would like to happen.
This has nothing to do with making things easier for the consumer (eliminating the need to upgrade, configure, etc.).
This has everything to do with "rights" (you're never downloading, purchasing physical media, etc.) -- it gives the producers of content ultimate control over their products.
It's a way to eliminate piracy, in my opinion.
They don't care if your lag is going to be shitty -- they don't care if the picture quality is small and crappy.
They will be able to get game makers and content producers to produce for their platform (perhaps solely) because they can promise them that "if you develop for OnLive, you won't have to worry about piracy!"
Latency will always play a roll in communication because there's no way we can travel faster than light, but if the algorithm they have designed work's video like this, making it seem seamless with the interaction of other users then hell, I'm on board.
Now the main thing is stress-test. How well can these server's perform with 3 million user's cracking at them all playing Crysis? That's what we have to wait and see. And if this new algorithm is what they say, the best at streaming video i can't wait to see what it can do with basic video chat via skype or even cell phone's once the speed's increase to either the new 4G or the improvements on our current 3G networks.
I signed up for the beta, see how well it work's out.
For most of us that play game's it's not going to be a replacement for what our hearts are set on, but for those that want access to some of the latest and greatest and have trouble in economic times, I think it could play a great role in the market. Cheap, easy access, to people that don't have all the option's that we have or the knowledge or drive to build a nice Rig.
But, call it what you will, it's the future, sadly enough.
Nowdays the concept seems more viable, except ofcourse if you calculate the costs on paper.
Here in Australia we have great broadband coverage to almost all of the country, which in practicality means; We all have 150kb/s as a maximum speed supported by multiple ISP's each offering competative rates.
If you want ADSL 2+ or better, you must pay over 5 times more for areas not currently serviced by anyone other then Telstra. With this extra speed for the extra money and stupid bandwith limits i think i would prefer to continue building gaming rigs.
The extra money needed for such a required internet connection will cost more then actually owning a decent mainstream pc. (About $2,000au every year)
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* Maybe they could give this mini-console away for free to countries that cant support the infestructure and double charge people that can *
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I called Optus, Dodo, TPG & iinet, and they all responded with the same reply. ' We are not expanding our ADSL2+ infestructure & only the areas currently being serviced are supported. Optus stated they only have plans for wireless over the next 20 years, but hardwire is deffinently off the agenda.
Thanks for not offering a single dime, but im happy spending my well earnt money on quality products that assures me quality gaming.
One things for certain. There is no way they could deliver the same video quality with 1ms delay. It will probably be like watching something on youtube.
now you loose all if you discontinue your contract :laugh: and own a non useful box
I would imagine that it works well but in the evening it might lagg when everybody comes home for gaming :)
+ would be like steam no patches and updates and they only need one special version (optimised) for their server8s)
- omg imagine running server's around the clock just to "serve" gaming when somebody demands it, i think a single pc would be still more efficent
I'm sick of upgrading, spending the type of money I do, all so I can play yesteryear's game at the highest settings.
Nvidia and ati can suck a f*ck
PEACE I'M OUTTA HERE!