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General discussion (archive)OnLive gets interesting... sort of(65 posts)(65 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted December 03, 2010
So first at the launch OnLive was better than most of us expected, still not great, but better. Then they decided to drop that stupid monthly subscription they charged on top of the cost of games. Okay, that was a little bit better. Now they are actually doing something that might be a game-changer for a lot of people:

Unlimited gaming for $9.99 a month

Okay, its not really unlimited, it only applies to a certain number of games at the moment and it seems to only be available to those who buy the OnLive "console", and this is just an initial beta offering, but still, no "buying" (renting) games from them, just streaming whatever you want whenever you want for as long as you want. Its like Netflix's movie streaming, only its games. That actually sounds kind of cool. This could change quite a few minds about OnLive.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by cogadh
Posted December 03, 2010
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cogadh: So first at the launch OnLive was better than most of us expected, still not great, but better. Then they decided to drop that stupid monthly subscription they charged on top of the cost of games. Okay, that was a little bit better. Now they are actually doing something that might be a game-changer for a lot of people:

Unlimited gaming for $9.99 a month

Okay, its not really unlimited, it only applies to a certain number of games at the moment and it seems to only be available to those who buy the OnLive "console", and this is just an initial beta offering, but still, no "buying" (renting) games from them, just streaming whatever you want whenever you want for as long as you want. Its like Netflix's movie streaming, only its games. That actually sounds kind of cool. This could change quite a few minds about OnLive.
I don't understand this console. What kind of specs does it have? I can't see how a $99 box can play all the latest games

Does that then mean a pc with an aging card can then play any game at higher resolution without issue? That sounds kind of cool then.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by Kabuto
Posted December 03, 2010
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Kabuto: I don't understand this console. What kind of specs does it have? I can't see how a $99 box can play all the latest games.
Unless I'm completely wrong the whole point is that the game is run on the OnLive server and all you're doing is streaming the display of the game to your display and the controls are sent to their server.
But I haven't really checked the information since they announced the service back in.. 1980 or something.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by Smannesman
Posted December 03, 2010
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Kabuto: I don't understand this console. What kind of specs does it have? I can't see how a $99 box can play all the latest games.
Its not a console, its just an audio/video and controller input/output connection for your TV. All the game "work" is done on the OnLive servers and is streamed directly to your TV. They also have a version for your PC. I've tried the PC version and it does actually work, don't know about the "console".
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Kabuto: Hmm, reading wiki it says most is computed on their site. Does that then mean a pc with an aging card can then play any game at higher resolution without issue? That sounds kind of cool then.
Yes, that's exactly what it means.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by cogadh
Posted December 03, 2010
I beta tested this service and it actually works as advertised. There's a very slight input lag (as to be expected with the cloud) but with a gamepad, it's not very noticeable. The compression must have really improved because the visual quality looks much better now than it did during the beta test.

The only thing I disagreed with was the pricing structure. This Netflix-esque plan makes much, much more sense. Drive it as a rental service, not a primary gaming platform.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by bowlingotter
Posted December 03, 2010
Their service's streaming quality improves by leaps and bounds every day. I'm beginning to fall for it.
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cogadh: Okay, its not really unlimited, it only applies to a certain number of games at the moment and it seems to only be available to those who buy the OnLive "console", and this is just an initial beta offering, but still, no "buying" (renting) games from them, just streaming whatever you want whenever you want for as long as you want. Its like Netflix's movie streaming, only its games. That actually sounds kind of cool. This could change quite a few minds about OnLive.
How well does the streaming work for you? I've had extraordinarily good luck whenever I log on.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by TheCheese33
Posted December 03, 2010
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TheCheese33: How well does the streaming work for you? I've had extraordinarily good luck whenever I log on.
Honestly, I haven't tried it in quite a while. In fact, after the initial beta launch that was bit disappointing, I uninstalled the client. I have now re-installed it, but I want to wait until my new cable modem arrives before I give it a shot (download speed increasing to 12Mbps, hell yes!). When it does, I'm also going to install the client on my crappy old laptop that acts as my HTPC to see how it looks on the TV.
Posted December 03, 2010
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TheCheese33: How well does the streaming work for you? I've had extraordinarily good luck whenever I log on.
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cogadh: Honestly, I haven't tried it in quite a while. In fact, after the initial beta launch that was bit disappointing, I uninstalled the client. I have now re-installed it, but I want to wait until my new cable modem arrives before I give it a shot (download speed increasing to 12Mbps, hell yes!). When it does, I'm also going to install the client on my crappy old laptop that acts as my HTPC to see how it looks on the TV.
It was "eh" during the beta, but I logged back on a couple weeks ago, and it was greatly improved. Actually made me want to use the service.
Posted December 03, 2010
It's a neat idea. I use Netflix for renting and still own a lot of DVDs and BDs, I like renting on a stream and owning on a disc. I think gaming companies are going to try getting all games as "bought" on a stream though, which is bullshit.

Honestly Gaikai has the best idea, which is to mainly use the service for demos on a webpage. Imagine going to Mass Effect 2's web page, clicking "demo now" and the game just immediately starts.
Posted December 03, 2010
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StingingVelvet: Imagine going to Mass Effect 2's web page, clicking "demo now" and the game just immediately starts.
That would be slick
Posted December 03, 2010
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StingingVelvet: Imagine going to Mass Effect 2's web page, clicking "demo now" and the game just immediately starts.
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bowlingotter: That would be slick
Indeed, and shitty looking stream with lag or not it would be a good way to see how the game plays and then make a purchase decision. Gaikai's backers have basically said that sort of thing is their goal, they're not out to take on the real game purchase mechanic.
Posted December 03, 2010
I tied Alien vs Predator and Dirt 2. Dirt 2 was a little laggy at times (I supsect my itnernet is mostly to blame) since it acts dumb at times but I must say I'm impressed. Both games running smooth for the most part (AVP ran perfectly) and at settings my HD3650 would struggle to handle. If isp providers weren't so stingy with bandwidth allotment, I could see myself using this.
Post edited December 03, 2010 by Kabuto
Posted December 03, 2010
People here are totally different from what I've seen on other sites. Everywhere else people are going "fail, don't want, need to own my games"...

Maybe it's just that but I'm a bit more positive about it. When the amount of my gaming just goes down and down OnLive seems like something viable
Posted December 03, 2010
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Kabuto: I tied Alien vs Predator and Dirt 2. Dirt 2 was a little laggy at times (I supsect my itnernet is mostly to blame) since it acts dumb at times but I must say I'm impressed. Both games running smooth for the most part (AVP ran perfectly) and at settings my HD3650 would struggle to handle.
I think they haven't sold Dirt 2 because of specific issues with that game. That's the only game I had problems with. Every other game worked like a dream when I tested it through the trial.
Posted December 03, 2010
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turtleblizzard: People here are totally different from what I've seen on other sites. Everywhere else people are going "fail, don't want, need to own my games"...

Maybe it's just that but I'm a bit more positive about it. When the amount of my gaming just goes down and down OnLive seems like something viable
Most people (myself included) bashed the service without trying it or finding out more. But here are the pro's: No installs, no worrying about making sure your pc meets specs, no extra drm floating around on your machine and the monthly fee has been waived. Those are pretty major pros I must say.

I'm allotted 60gb bandwith per month. When I don't download multiple large games (2gb+), the usage including other members is usually under 30gb. Think that's enough bandwidth to spare for average gaming?

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Kabuto: I tied Alien vs Predator and Dirt 2. Dirt 2 was a little laggy at times (I supsect my itnernet is mostly to blame) since it acts dumb at times but I must say I'm impressed. Both games running smooth for the most part (AVP ran perfectly) and at settings my HD3650 would struggle to handle.
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TheCheese33: I think they haven't sold Dirt 2 because of specific issues with that game. That's the only game I had problems with. Every other game worked like a dream when I tested it through the trial.
That's good to know
Post edited December 03, 2010 by Kabuto
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)OnLive gets interesting... sort of(65 posts)(65 posts)
(65 posts)