If this scenario sounds a lot like you or if you really would like to get into gaming but just don't have the extra cash then let me introduce you to Onlive. Onlive is a new cloud gaming service that allows you on any type of computer (also on android tablets and iPad) play games without having to meet new system requirements or even download a single game.
How does this work you ask? Simply download the app and set up a free account with Onlive and you are all set. How Onlive works is that all games are housed on their servers so you have nothing to download. You find the game you want to play or trial and hit play. With in seconds the game is loaded and ready to play. Onlive streams the game onto your system over the internet so it is a good idea to have fast internet access and unlimited data on that connection. Since this is a cloud based service, If you stop playing a game it saves your last spot so no matter what device you sign back into the game with you start right where you left off.
The first thing I thought about when I heard it was streamed over the internet was that there must be a lot of lag. However there was no lag at all, although I did have to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse and other controls. Other than that I had no issues at all getting this to work smoothly and it was simply amazing to see Dues Ex running on my 5 year old mac! Now this service is free to sign up for and most games available have a 30 minute trial period but there is a price for each game. You can pay for a certain amount of days like renting the game or a pay outright for it to have unlimited access to that game just as if you bought it in a store. They also have a great idea of a playpass which you pay $9.99 a month and they put 100+ games to offer in this playpass. This has a lot of older games in it and seems to rotate out newer games. Onlive hasn't been out very long and as with many other new cloud services a lot of big name games are not present in Onlive's offerings but they add more games everyday. Some of the games that they do have include the Batman series, Assassin's Creed, and Bioshock.
Did I mention this also works on android tablets (also some android phones) and the iPad! I tried it out on my android tablet and it works smoothly enough. There were a few graphics glitches but it may of been more of the fact of the tablet and not the Onlive service itself. They have implemented touch controls in many of the games they offer but some still require a controller. They also provide a controller that is compatible with your tablets so you can play in a more traditional style. What a great way to play new games on the go with your tablet. This service has a lot of promise to it for mobile gaming!
I also like to use this service to try out some games that I am interested in playing but not wanting to fork over the money to get a game I will not like. The 30 minute trial time on games is a nice feature that more or less gives you a good feel of a game and if you want to play it.
Onlive has also started offering their own game console type system that you plug into your tv and uses a control that looks a lot like an xbox controller. I have not personally used this but from what I have read about it, the console is a cheap alternative to the more expensive game systems out there.
All in all I think this service has a lot of promise. They have already accomplished so much and I am excited to see where they go from here. If they can win over more game publishers they will definitely be a major competitor in the gaming system market. Gamestop has already noticed since they recently purchased another start up that was trying to accomplish the same type of system.
I really can't say more that a demonstration would not say better. Since my video didn't turn out as I wanted it I have attached one of the better video demonstrations I could find on youtube. If you like what you see and think you would like to try out Onlive for free Click here to check out Onlive for yourself.
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