SimondsCloud

OnLive, a new gaming service, has finally been released for use to the public.  The company offers a unique way to enjoy high-end gaming on mid and low-range computers, including Windows, Mac, and iPad platforms.  The service, using a browser plugin that is opened as a separate program, allows users to stream graphics-heavy games over a 5mb (or higher)  wired internet connection.

I managed to preregister for the service, which allowed me to receive a full year of complementary play and one free full game.  OnLive offers demo time, rental, and full play options for users.  The biggest worry for both consumers and OnLive was latency (lag); since the games are streamed from server stations to the users’ computers, there might be a space of time between activating a control and the reaction in the game.  After playing a few games, I found that the there was at times a small lag in between the movement my mouse made and the reaction on-screen.  It was most apparent during an instant action (no one was playing multiplayer) game in Unreal Tournament III.  Of course, this is a very fast-paced game.  But with more and more users coming online, OnLive will hopefully tweak its cutting-edge servers to perform at the highest level.

OnLive has done a wonderful job with the menu system.  Using the mouse or the arrow keys allows you to navigate between the different sections, including the marketplace, the arena, purchased content, and “Brag Clips.”  The arena displays windows of all the current user sessions and allows others to watch both single and multiplayer matches from the view of the player.  ”Brag Clips” are recorded shorts players can share and are meant to display gaming moments they deem important – hilarious kills, boss battles, first deaths, etc.  Despite the sheer number of videos playing in the background of these menus, moving around is seamless.  Selecting videos throws you straight in, without any loading time.  In fact, the only loading time I experienced outside of the games themselves was activating a game to play.

Apart from the latency qualms, OnLive might have some trouble attracting users with the current lineup of titles.  The list of titles is short and most games aren’t that new.  It was nice to see some popular games like F.E.A.R. 2 and Borderlands, but I’m sure interested gamers have already played them.  When the service was announced earlier this year was I excited to see Crysis being used as a test game.  Fast forward to today and I am disappointed to see the game not available for play.  I figure many (including myself) have not been able to play this due to the high requirements needed.

Many commenters on popular tech blogs are not interested in OnLive because you do not own any of the games you purchase through the site.  While I agree that it may not be the best situation for purchased games, OnLive also allows gamers to rent titles for a certain number of days.  Just as Instant Queue movies have been a popular way to enjoy Netflix movies, the OnLive service might be a good way to instantly enjoy gaming alongside the mail rentals of firms like GameFly.  That is, if OnLive manages to expand its library.

Overall, OnLive has some potential.  Offering a serious gaming service to the majority of computing platforms – spotlight on Mac machines – OnLive brings high-end gaming to budget laptops and desktops.  If the company can add popular new titles and push itself through the tirades of Steam fanboys, it might have a chance to cement itself in gamers’ minds as a real cloud-gaming service.

Check out OnLive at www.onlive.com