"The Cloud" + Gaming = Can it work?

So this afternoon I read a story concerning a new development in "Cloud Gaming".  Yep, that's right "Cloud Gaming".  If you don't know exactly what that is, let me briefly explain.  A "Cloud Gaming Service" has a bunch of servers that they have their games installed on.  Much like user's stream movies via Netflix, a cloud gaming provider's servers would run the gaming locally on the server side and stream the video output from the game through the internet (aka "The Cloud") to it's customers.

This type of gaming solution gives players access to games without having to be concerned with upgrading their computer's hardware (namely RAM, video card/chipset, and processor) nor purchasing expensive video game consoles that try to be your "entertainment hub" in the living.  Since all the customer is coming into contact with is the video feed and sending back the controls being input back upstream to the game's server.  Sounds pretty awesome, doesn't it?

That's because it is, in theory.  Some time back I wrote a post about OnLive, and I still stand by my original thoughts that they were "before their time".  And that hopefully they could pave the way for a larger market for this type of service.  If you haven't followed the situation with OnLive, there have been reports/rumors of mass layoffs within the company.  And an ill fated financial future doesn't look good for them.

But there may be hope that OnLive can pull through with the help of Vizio & Google who seem to see value in the service as the latest run of Google TV boxes will support the OnLive service.  On top of that, if you have followed the KickStarter project OUYA, which touts to be an Android based game console, it will support OnLive as well.  So all may not be lost with OnLive.

I haven't personally played the OnLive console.  But I have played around with a couple demo's via the Android tablet app on my Acer Iconia a500 tablet.  I have attempted to the same with the Windows client.  But this is where these services enter some murky waters: bandwidth.  Yep, in order to use the mobile app with much success you need a very decent/stable broadband connection.  My network speed is among one of the upper tiers for my area; yet it is a little slower than a national average.  For me, the mobile app worked but it looked a little fuzzy.  Whereas, the Windows client would only kick up an error that I didn't have enough bandwidth to run their service.  My network speed isn't the greatest, but it handles everything I through at it with ease; with the exception of OnLive.  Even Netflix streams to my 40 inch HD television and looks good.  So why not OnLive?

For a service like this to succeed, it needs to be accessable to lower network speeds.  However, this too is a double edged sword, because bandwidth will also limit the video quality of the stream coming downstream to the client.  Meanwhile maintaining a low latency for quick response via the network.  Although I still believe this type of service could flourish.  I still think it is a little before it's time.

With all of the said (and most of it just my opinions); AMD has invested in a company similar to OnLive by the name of CiiNow.  What do you think?  Will  OnLive's tumultuous past and uncertain future mean a bumpy take off for an AMD backed solution?  Or can AMD help CiiNow take off and flourish?  CiiNow is a little different than OnLive as it is designed to be a turnkey solutions for service providers.  Meaning that more than likely you'll not become a "CiiNow Customer".  But say your ISP could become a service provider and offer a game streaming service to you as part of a bundle or package, etc. while utilizing this technology service as a foundation for that particular service offering.

Whereas, OnLive is much like Netflix. It sells the service to the end user directly.

Time will tell if the world is ready for this type of service.

What do you think?  Drop us a line at the bottom of this post and let us know!

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Gaming Deals of The Week: OnLive Specials!

Though I am not currently a customer of the gaming service known as OnLive.  I do have some friends who use the services (and are extremely happy with it).  I do get their newsletters in my inbox every week.  And this week there are several deals that look pretty awesome if you're in the market.  And with several hours of today still to go, you have plenty of time to swing by and check it out.

Today's Special: Darksiders for $5.00.  If you're looking for a reason to romp around as on of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, this is a great reason to take up your sword for only $5.

If you're looking for a pretty freakin' affordable way to play games, you might want to check into the PlayPack subscription through OnLive.  You get unlimited play of over 70 titles for only $10.00 a month.  If my internet was any faster, I'd jump all over this service.

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Sony Network Pass? What the crap?

Hey PS3 owners, are you looking forward to getting Online Pass codes in your games?  Well, looks like it's going to happen.  Later this year (with the release of Resistance 3) games part of the Online Pass program will include a code that will grant you access for the online components of the games you buy.  If you buy new games, no big deal.

But if you are buying a used game, get ready to pony up around $10.00 for the online code to let you play the rest of the game you just bought.  Much like they did with Mortal Kombat (which included an online pass code for online play).  If you bought it as Used, visit the PSN Store and purchase the access pack for $10 (USD).

So why the drive for this Online Pass crap?  Simple, game publisher's get no money from the sale of a preowned (used) game.  So while your local Gamestop is pressing for preowned game sales, the publisher's are smacking gamer's on the hand when the buy a used game.  So look at it this way, 2 years into the future, Mortal Kombat may be marked down used to $15.00 (purely for example).  So you buy preowned and wanted to play online, so you'll spend another $10 for the code.  You just spent $25 on the game.

Now look at this way, you buy a preowned copy of Resistance 3 with your Christmas money later this year for $49.99 (marked down from $59.99 new) from Gamestop.  But in order to play online against your friends, you have to visit the PSN Store and purchase the Online Pass code for $10.  Guess what?  You just paid the same amount as compared to buying it as New.  And let's face it, with online play being such a big deal with many of the current gen games.  If you are looking to get the total value from your games, than you need online play to do so.

Publishers have been trying to circumvent used game sales for some time.  Most recently Capcom decided to lock game save data in one of their new Resident Evil titles for the Nintendo DS so you can't restart the game.  Meaning, if you buy it as preowned; you also get the previous owner's game state.  Better hope they saved before that last boss.  LOL

And it will be seen how this will affect game sales at preowned game stores like Gamestop.  But it's clear that the world is changing in all aspects (business, economic, and video games to name a few).  This will make cloud based options like OnLive look all that much better.

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