Onlive is a relatively new concept based on video streaming and cloud computing. At a minimum, it will require fast broadband if it is to be effective. The idea is simple, you play games which are run on remotely hosted servers and the graphics are rendered for you on super fast computers and streamed to you over the internet. This means you only need the ability to view video to have amazing graphics and sounds without having to pay for the expensive hardware used in conventional consoles such as the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. You can use any pc or mac, or even just your TV with the help of a cheap device provided by Onlive.
Sound too good to be true? Well the sceptics, me included, believe that this just is not doable with today’s technology. I’m not so concerned about bandwidth, but rather latency – the fraction of a second delay between button press, the data being sent via your system to a cloud network and back again as video. Online games have often suffered with lag issues and I believe Onlive is likely to be hit more than most.
The Onlive system
Additionally, depending on the speed of your broadband the video may need various amounts of compression reducing both image and sound quality. With broadband speeds getting faster and faster this is becoming less of a problem, however internet costs may rise for those with capped usage allowances. A heavy games player will certainly need large limits if not unlimited broadband.
Saying all of that – I love the very idea. It sounds like something out of Star Trek and part of me wants it to succeed, I am just sceptical that it will.
Check out more on the Onlive website.
As always, I would appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Voodoochilli Hardware technology
Just ordered myself a Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Round 2. I actually ordered the Zangief one, as for some reason he was a lot cheaper! He is also one of my favourites characters, along with Dhalsim, E Honda and Dan who has to be the most underrated character in the game. I can’t wait to try it out as frankly, using the standard analogue stick for Street Fighter just doesn’t cut it for me any more. All of my online friends seem to be using one of the £100 arcade sticks which seems a little excessive to me, so this is a happy compromise at a mere £20
Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Round 2 FightPad - Zangief
Voodoochilli Hardware controller, fighter, fighting
You have probably heard about Microsoft’s latest feature that was announced at this years E3 Expo, but if you haven’t then your in for a surprise. Apparently soon we are all going to be using our Xbox’s without any controllers, frantically making crazy body gestures that interact with the game play. Sound familiar? Yes it’s clear to say that Microsoft is following a similar route to Nintendo and is trying to make an experience that will appeal to the whole family.
You can hardly blame them. Nintendo showed that with clever hardware and a lot of expensive advertising you can get whole family to buy into games consoles. People that once scoffed as such activities are right now jumping about on Wii boards and punching invisible opponents. A friend of mine that works in a game store told me of a lady in her 80′s that brought back a Wii fit game claiming it didn’t work, she was surprised to hear that you needed to buy a game system with it! This whole thing reminds me of computer giant Apple. In the late 90′s I thought I was “different” owning a mac. Hardly anyone knew what it was or had even seen one let alone uses OS7! Now everyone has an iMac, iPod and iPhone. Apple is the latest cultural icon that people just have to buy into. The only way to be different now is to not own one!
It will be interesting to see how Project Natal will develop, I just hope it’s not just a Pr stunt and that it will become a reality.
Voodoochilli Hardware Project Natal
