OnLive: Too good to be true?

Kerensky287 · 03-25-2009, 07:42 PM

This is OnLive. It's a crazy game rental/download system that, in theory, will "outsource" game hardware requirements to an OnLive serverside system - basically, running Crysis on a crappy laptop is okay with this system, because it's actually a huge powerful computer running it and sending your laptop the data if I understand correctly.

I'm not all that computer savvy, but I can't see this ever working properly without a godlike internet connection. What do you think? Will this be a great tragedy, or will it be the end of big computer hardware purchases?

WillyFourEyes · 03-25-2009, 07:50 PM

I smell another Phantom.

Ryong · 03-25-2009, 07:50 PM

A godlike internet connection and you can sure as hell believe it will be pricy. Damn pricy.

Kim · 03-25-2009, 07:55 PM

From what I've read, you need a 1.5 mbps connection, and it'll be a monthly fee, like Xbox Live. Also, runs at 60 fps, but doesn't feel quite the same, and the highest resolution available for OnLive is 720. That said, it's a great alternative to having a magical space computer.

Niveras · 03-25-2009, 10:31 PM

Not that Fark is a hub of the most intelligent people, but a variety of technophiles have commented on the feasibility and technical aspects of it here.

Azisien · 03-25-2009, 11:12 PM

Looks good on paper, must prove self in real world.

1.5Mbps seems too good to be true. I run 10Mbps now and streaming HD videos still takes some doin'. It may work out great in the end, but I can hear the "god damn OnLive lag bullshit!!!" cries already, en masse.

Kerensky287 · 03-26-2009, 03:28 AM

A big part of my concern was summarized by that Fark page, actually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some guy

They claim no lag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The next guy

If they found a way to circumvent the speed of light, they are really wasting their potential.

If all of the data is really sent over landlines to a central server, then for each packet that is sent there will be lag.

Another concern brought to my attention by that page pointed out that if the games are stored in a far away land, then it'd be kinda hard to make user-mods for them. As a huge fan of mods, this would be a problem for me.

Kim · 03-26-2009, 03:41 AM

This is mostly just for people who can't afford the latest console or high-end PC to play games, though. Yeah, it isn't as good as the real thing, and it isn't going to replace console or PC gaming as it stands now, but it will offer a low budget alternative for people.

Meister · 03-26-2009, 03:46 AM

If the server providers decide they're no longer going to offer a particular game, that's that. No copies left in circulation because none were actually sold in the first place, so nothing to sell used and no code to emulate, and that great game you liked so much has disappeared forever. I'll pass.

Bells · 03-26-2009, 12:33 PM

THE PHANTOM LIVES!!!!

I dunno guys, it sounds like a neat idea... even if just to try out game demos (if it's cheap... maybe if there was a subscription type that would let you only play demos...) and with today's Demos and downloadable contents easily reaching 1-2 gb, and the net speed getting higher and cheaper every year, it just might seem like a workable idea to let people try a game to it's full features with zero download...

Although it just dosen't really seem all that profitable. I Mean... they are going to need some hardcore servers to Offer thousands of people worldwide the ability to play Crysis with zero download and zero lag. That's some Molyneux ambition right there.

But they said there would be a Closed beta testing this year, so this might be worth checking out.

03-25-2009, 07:42 PM	#1
Kerensky287 Just That Good Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,426	OnLive: Too good to be true? This is OnLive. It's a crazy game rental/download system that, in theory, will "outsource" game hardware requirements to an OnLive serverside system - basically, running Crysis on a crappy laptop is okay with this system, because it's actually a huge powerful computer running it and sending your laptop the data if I understand correctly. I'm not all that computer savvy, but I can't see this ever working properly without a godlike internet connection. What do you think? Will this be a great tragedy, or will it be the end of big computer hardware purchases? __________________ People who live in Glass homes should not throw stones or Jerk off at daytime

03-25-2009, 07:50 PM	#2
WillyFourEyes Worthless Liberal Scum Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Darby, PA, USA Posts: 27	I smell another Phantom. __________________ Red Mage Needs Food Badly - my personal video game blog

03-25-2009, 07:55 PM	#4
Kim adorable Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12,950	From what I've read, you need a 1.5 mbps connection, and it'll be a monthly fee, like Xbox Live. Also, runs at 60 fps, but doesn't feel quite the same, and the highest resolution available for OnLive is 720. That said, it's a great alternative to having a magical space computer. __________________ this post is about how to successfully H the Kimmy

03-25-2009, 10:31 PM	#5
Niveras Shyguy Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 214	Not that Fark is a hub of the most intelligent people, but a variety of technophiles have commented on the feasibility and technical aspects of it here. __________________ God has no heart, has no mind, has no body, has no soul, and no resemblance of you.

03-26-2009, 03:41 AM	#8
Kim adorable Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12,950	This is mostly just for people who can't afford the latest console or high-end PC to play games, though. Yeah, it isn't as good as the real thing, and it isn't going to replace console or PC gaming as it stands now, but it will offer a low budget alternative for people. __________________ this post is about how to successfully H the Kimmy

03-25-2009, 07:50 PM	#3
Ryong Professional Threadkiller Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brazil Posts: 3,798	A godlike internet connection and you can sure as hell believe it will be pricy. Damn pricy.

03-25-2009, 11:12 PM	#6
Azisien wat Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,177	Looks good on paper, must prove self in real world. 1.5Mbps seems too good to be true. I run 10Mbps now and streaming HD videos still takes some doin'. It may work out great in the end, but I can hear the "god damn OnLive lag bullshit!!!" cries already, en masse.

03-26-2009, 03:46 AM	#9
Meister Pure joy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 10,689	If the server providers decide they're no longer going to offer a particular game, that's that. No copies left in circulation because none were actually sold in the first place, so nothing to sell used and no code to emulate, and that great game you liked so much has disappeared forever. I'll pass.

03-26-2009, 12:33 PM	#10
Bells That's so PC of you Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: In a Server-sided Dimension where time is meaningless Posts: 10,490	THE PHANTOM LIVES!!!! I dunno guys, it sounds like a neat idea... even if just to try out game demos (if it's cheap... maybe if there was a subscription type that would let you only play demos...) and with today's Demos and downloadable contents easily reaching 1-2 gb, and the net speed getting higher and cheaper every year, it just might seem like a workable idea to let people try a game to it's full features with zero download... Although it just dosen't really seem all that profitable. I Mean... they are going to need some hardcore servers to Offer thousands of people worldwide the ability to play Crysis with zero download and zero lag. That's some Molyneux ambition right there. But they said there would be a Closed beta testing this year, so this might be worth checking out. __________________ *BELLS STORE : Clothes! You wear* them! Free US Shipping Subscription System? WTF?! Zazzle Black!**