Onlive displayed at GDC 2009, is a revolutionary system that allows you to play any game from any console (PC, PS3, X360, Wii) even games with as much GPU requirements as Crysis, and Prince of Persia on a low end PC. All that is required is space for a 1mb browser plugin, and a 1.5 mbps + internet connection. When I first saw this I was in disbeleif, It is just incredible. It's seems to belike the future of gaming, it allows you to play the most high endgames on a low end computer, as well as play xbox 360 and PS3 games. Atfirst I didnt beleive, but just look at this video from the game developers conference: http://www.gamespot.com/shows/on-the-spot/?series=on-the-spot&event=on_the_spot20090324&page=0 But near the end of the video the last question that is asked(at 52min), and its about how much of the ISP bandwith cap it would take. The guy replied, well under 150GB. The guy said for HD it would require around 4 mbps max. But the average speed would be around 2mbps. Then he went on to saying that the average user plays for 60 hours a month and then said 2mbps * 60 hours is well under 150GB. But isn't 2mpbs * 60 = 120 mbp minute , 120 * 60 =7200 mbp hour. Then 7200 * 60 hours = 432000 mb in 60 hours. But that is 432 GB, isnt it? He said it would take well under 150GB. Did I calculate something wrong? watch the video your self at the link above, its amazing!
I am very impressed with the concept of OnLive but I can't shake the feeling that something is not right. It's that too good to be true feeling and you know what usually happens when you get that feeling. I suspect the main problem is that the service WILL have lag issues due to many factors out of OnLive's control such as general network traffic/interference, packet loss, ISP bandwidth issues. There is also the ineviteble downtime from server maintenance that will occur and we all know from MMO's, this can be very annoying when you're paying a subscription and cannot play when you want.
I'm pretty sure that people won't be rushing to sell their old game disks when it comes out, but I DO think that it will work. Partially. I also have that "Too good to be true" feeling.
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