When I say any game, I mean any game in existence. (EDIT) Apparently it might be limited to any PC game. But with all the ports of games going on these days, the list is still pretty extensive. (END EDIT) First the CPU info. Issues like the processing power required to play the game, the software compatibility and other various issues will no longer be a problem. Whether it's a mac or windows, a desktop or a laptop these are factors of the past. For streaming games to your TV all your require is a small box, a bit like a tiny console, and a controller as shown below.
The technology is all very complicated and quite cool. The basic manner in which OnLive delivers this service is by running your games on local hardware and sending you the information over the internet into your visual output. This means that no data analysis is being done by any of your local hardware thus the lack of any required specifications for computers.
The concept is fantastic and I had no idea that we were anywhere close to this kind of technology which brings me to the final point. You need a pretty fast internet for this service to be operable. The developers are saying that a bandwidth of around 5 megabytes will be sufficient. Critics say that even with the 5 megabyte guideline it will be impossible to accomplish what OnLive sets out to do, and it is likely that they may very well be right. But if they are not the implications for the gaming industry are pretty insane.
Even if isn't done tomorrow it looks like this may be the future of the industry. Personally I'm pretty glad to cut out the middle-man and hand my money to the people responsible for the game I'm playing. Also, the concept is just so science fiction that I can't help but like it.
2 comments:
That is actually mind-numbingly cool. Good to see you're back on top of things after all the distractions of your dissertation.
dude... want.
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