Do you all remember my previous article on cloud computing, with the cartoon cloud image?
This is a follow up on that article, in which i mentioned that cloud computing is also faster. Faster in what sense? Well i gave an example but how would you like to know that it's been implemented in the real world?
Say hello to OnLive. A cloud based video gaming on demand service. Thus, video games are now computed on multiple web serves. It was launched on 17th June 2010 only in US, but they do intend on going international.
Aside from that, who would want this? Those for example that wish to play Need for Speed Hot Pursuit (2010) but their system is using integrated graphics or worse yet, their running a netbook (LMAO).
This is where OnLive shines. The service targets users that don't have the adequate hardware to run games and not those of you that have Nvidia 3 way SLi or ATI Quad Crossfire setups. The advantage to this is that mid range gaming can now be brought to all sorts of devices, yes netbooks included. Doubt it? Don't, it even runs on an iPad and soon, Android tablets.
Plus, you don't even need a PC to run this service actually. It can also come with a microconsole, a device about the size of a calculator which directly connects to your HDTV via HDMI and internet via the RJ-45 Ethernet port. (This means war against the console giants....Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo)
Despite these benefits, there are some drawbacks. Frame rates are low around 20 - 30 on average and resolution capped at 720p (this isn't full HD 1080p). Also, it requires a minimum internet connection speed of 4Mbps and above. This clearly isn't a product for countries such as ours where the majority of internet users subscribe to speeds around 1Mbps. While appearing to be a unique solution for bringing gaming to all devices, OnLive would be more suitable for gamers in the future.
Standardization and creating a unified Web OS is part of the Web 3.0 idea. OnLive, is another example that shows this idea being put to practise with video games, enabling a unfied experience throughout various types of devices.
Eager to play Crysis 2 on your netbook now?
References:
Chris Angelini, OnLive, [Online] Retrieved 7th March 2011
URL: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/onlive-gaming-cloud,2671.html
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