I heard about it yesterday only. I felt like, the daddy of all computer gaming solutions is finally here…
This is what I understood: It is a thin client based gaming solution. Different from the gaming consoles like Wii, X-Box or Play Station, no CPU/GPU or any processing is needed at player’s side. The game is streamed from a monster server via internet, just like a HiFi terminal session (RDP/Remote Desktop) but with HD graphics. Controls (inputs) are sent to the server and graphics is sent back. It can be played on Mac or PC via a web browser add-in or in a TV with a small unit to connect to the server. Requires a 5mbps connection for HD and a 1.5mbps for SD. Almost all game titles will be available or ported to this platform. No need to buy a console or a game. No need of high end gaming PCs… Just a broadband connection (of course this should be high end). Isn’t that cool? I am only worried about the ‘latency plague’ that has kept gamers away from network games for a long time. Let’s see how good is the solution that OnLive have developed (after 7 years of research) to tackle the latency issue. If things go well, I think this will be the next hottest thing in internet after you-tube!
Tags: Architecture, Gaming, network
