David Perry's blog (http://www.dperry.com/archives/news/dp_blog/gaikai_-_video/) has alot more info. The service is not going to be like OnLive in the sense that there will be a central hub. This will be licensed out to publishers to use on their websites. Please read the comments section starting from the bottom.

"Are we a Portal Site like OnLive?

No, people do not come to us to play games, they play the games right on the publisher's site. The publisher uses our technology to make it all possible. So from wherever you click, you end up on the publisher's site with the latest version of the game running instantly.

Posted by: dperry at July 1, 2009 1:53 AM"

Hey Dave great stuff. I was wondering a few things though.

1: Mario Kart 64 is a N64 game. So I was wondering are there more plans for games like this from other platforms like Gamecube, Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox, X360, and maybe future console platforms to be supported? Either way looks like a plus if it does happen. I would love the idea of not having to buy a new console for new console's games.

>> Unlike Onlive we are not in competition with 1st Party. In fact I think we could help them reach new audiences.

>> Regarding Emulation? I'm a big fan of that... So yes, I'd hope that companies like Atari offer their best games (old and new) right on their website.

2: Game mods. I know probably a hard thing to think about at this stage, but when the games get out there. Few gamers are gonna wanna mod the games. I was wondering if their would be any way to download SDK or publish Game mods for Developer/Publisher approval? Not everyone likes to pay for DLC and want to make their own maps.

>> Our SDK will support game mods, but they are all saved to the cloud, so there's nothing needed on your hard drive. Our goal will be to make it so you could start a mod on one PC, then go somewhere else and be able to just continue where you left off.

3: Voice chat in games. I don't thing it was demoed, but either way. I just wanna know would it work with a mic like typically with normal game? Game voice from you to chat with others online while playing. Like what is in some of todays FPS games. Wanna talk to teammates and order em around or chat with em.

>> We don't have voice chat in the demo yet, but it's like a weekend of work, so it's just not been a priority so far. Will we offer voice chat? Absolutely.

4: Servers. Will they be exclusive to GaiKai players or open to play with others. Say you own Call of Duty 4 through GaiKai service and your friend has the boxed version of it and you live in same region. Will you be able to play together online or will you be locked into separate server group with only GaiKai players?

>> Yes, Gaikai players can play directly with other players that own the game. (If the publisher of the game allows that.)

Great stuff. Will be watching.

Posted by: DeadFire87 at July 1, 2009 9:38 AM

I'm saying don't underestimate the power of the servers running the encoding. It's running live encoding. I work in IT and deal with virtualization (which this is a subset of). Check out AMD Fusion Render Cloud tech. It's designed to do the same thing that Onlive is doing with their servers. It's not going to be perfect, but that doesn't mean it's a lie. Also, how come other companies are coming forward with similar tech.

I read the article multiple times. It's feasible, but it depends on ISPs. Also, you need to read about what OTOY is doing. It's very similar, and it was announced in January 09. Some of their tech leaked on the net last year.

[QUOTE="dcoope3"]

"The OnLive datacenters will be licensed to ISPs, who will have them at their base of operations. Latency will be massively reduced, the connection will be far more stable, plus the datacenters with the PCs and hardware encoders can be distributed worldwide in a more effective manner. ISPs will be cut into the deal the way that retailers are now with conventional game-purchasing."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-why-onlive-cant-possibly-work-article?page=2

Teufelhuhn

The thing is that Onlive is not delivering IPTV, there delivering gaming, which is a key difference. I just attached the quote to explain what could be possible, not that they actually did it already. But, it's the most logical choice.

People need to keep in mind that the server side enocding isn't the problem. It's certainly possible because many companies have found a way to do it. The problem is latency. Like I said before. Licensing hardware to ISPs is very important. It will not eliminate latency, but it will make it a lot less laggy. I still wouldn't play fighting games on this though, no way.

You can beat Killzone 2within 5 hours if you're good. I even beat COD4 in that time. Also, you can speed run, but that would be impratical.

The good thing is that they are in dicsussion with ISP such as Comcast and Verizon. The ISP's could house the servers locally at the telcom centers so that lag would be a minimum. I could actually see ISP's adding a service plan which includes OnLive functionality. The data rate can only be sustainable if only the ISPs are heavily involved. It's the only way. It has to be an IPTV-like services

"The OnLive datacenters will be licensed to ISPs, who will have them at their base of operations. Latency will be massively reduced, the connection will be far more stable, plus the datacenters with the PCs and hardware encoders can be distributed worldwide in a more effective manner. ISPs will be cut into the deal the way that retailers are now with conventional game-purchasing."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-why-onlive-cant-possibly-work-article?page=2

They can use unallocated bandwidth to stream. The server-side video decoding is possible since a couple of other comapnies have similar tech (OTOY and AMD, Gaikai, etc)and they are going to roll out a similar service. At the very least 480p can definately be done. 720p60 is doubful. 720p30fps is more realistic.

However, certain games, especially fighting games, still might not be playable with that type of lag since they require precise timing. Other games would be fine depending on the controller lag already inherent in the game. I'm very excited for it. However, i very curious about pricing.

There is a posisbility that they can do a subscription like GameTap. Onlive also mentioned that they might have 4-5 hour free demo per game, which would be awesome, but I could see that quickly becoming 1-2 hours, because you can beat most games in 5 hours. Also, there is a qustion of outages and what not. Even games you buy, you still don't physically own. We'll see.

The good thing is that they are in dicsussion with ISP such as Comcast and Verizon. The ISP's could house the servers locally at the telcom centers so that lag would be a minimum. I could actually see ISP's adding a service plan which includes OnLive functionality. The data rate can only be sustainable if only the ISPs are heavily involved. It's the only way. It has to be an IPTV-like services

"The OnLive datacenters will be licensed to ISPs, who will have them at their base of operations. Latency will be massively reduced, the connection will be far more stable, plus the datacenters with the PCs and hardware encoders can be distributed worldwide in a more effective manner. ISPs will be cut into the deal the way that retailers are now with conventional game-purchasing."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-why-onlive-cant-possibly-work-article?page=2

They can use unallocated bandwidth to stream. The server-side video decoding is possible since a couple of other comapnies have similar tech (OTOY and AMD, Gaikai, etc)and they are going to roll out a similar service. At the very least 480p can definately be done. 720p60 is doubful. 720p30fps is more realistic.

However, certain games, especially fighting games, still might not be playable with that type of lag since they require precise timing. Other games would be fine depending on the controller lag already inherent in the game. I'm very excited for it. However, i very curious about pricing.

There is a posisbility that they can do a subscription like GameTap. Onlive also mentioned that they might have 4-5 hour free demo per game, which would be awesome, but I could see that quickly becoming 1-2 hours, because you can beat most games in 5 hours. Also, there is a qustion of outages and what not. Even games you buy, you still don't physically own. We'll see.

I don't necessarily agree that graphics are getting too good. There is still a long way to go. But, I think gameplay hasn't evovled to the the point where graphics have.