OnLive is a seventh generation video game console and is also a on-demand video game distribution system produced by Mova (subsidiary of Rearden). The console was announced at GDC 09. A low-end computer, as long as it can play video, may be used to play any kind of game since the game is computed on the OnLive server. It was announced that Electronic Arts, Take-Two, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Atari, Codemasters, THQ, Warner Bros., 2D Boy and Eidos Interactive have signed up to have their games available on the service.

With OnLive we no longer have to spend hundreds of dollars on hardware. We pay to play games through a rather bad ass computer over the internet, which means no possibility for piracy, and more money to the game developers. But does that mean more quality games? Hang on.

Like mentioned, all you need is a computer that can play video. Which means that you won't have to use money on hardware. So what about the hardware manufacturers? With the hardware sales dropping to nothing, there will be no money to further develop the technology. Then there will be no point to make games with more advanced technology, as there is no hardware to run it. Advanced physics including ray tracing, photo-realistic graphics, and such will never see day light. Atleast for a very long time.

Also this will be a juicy addition to our financial situation, when even more workplaces go away.

Since you play through the internet, the quality of the game depends on the connection you have. It's said that only a 5mbits line is enough to run a game in high-def. I have my doubts, but we'll know this winter.

And lastly (a point I read somewhere else, but it's a good one: ), a misfortune for us hardcore gamers, we lose the ability to mod our games. Cruds.

Pros:
- No need for high-end computers.
- Less piracy.

Cons:
- Less money to the hardware developers.
- Technology freezes.
- More people will lose their jobs.
- Quality depends on you internet connnection.
- No more game modding.

There is also a console version coming, at the size of a walkman. I for one, don't think this will be a success, since consoles aren't that expensive. But if it does, then Nintendos innovative thinking was even more usefull for their future than expected.

Do you think OnLive is good news, or bad news?

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Introduction is an excerpt from OnLive at wikipedia. Picture is taken from wikipedia.