Streaming Game Service OnLive Enters Beta

[Earnest Cavalli]

Streaming Game Service OnLive Enters Beta

OnLive, the theoretically revolutionary online streaming service for PC games, has entered (almost) open beta.

In case you missed the hype when OnLive was first announced, here's the gist: By linking thousands of high-powered PCs at data centers across the country, OnLive allows gamers to play the latest, most graphically intensive games without lengthy installs or having to shell out cash for a fancy computer. Crysis can be enjoyed on a $200 netbook, if OnLive's press materials are to be believed.

Are you sitting there agape at just how mind-blowingly awesome this might be, while simultaneously wondering how in the hell it could possibly be real?

Wonder no more! According to a post on the official OnLive blog [http://blog.onlive.com/2009/09/02/onlive-opens-the-beta-program/], the service has entered semi-open beta testing, offering anyone who signed up on the website a chance to see if everything is as amazing as it sounds.

Even if you didn't sign up already, the post claims there are still a few beta slots open, so head over to the official website and drop your name in the virtual hat [http://www.onlive.com/beta_program.html].

You better believe I signed up, hoping against hope that there is really something to this OnLive concept and that I'll never again have to cringe at a $3,000 price tag while solemnly handing over my debit card.

If any of you are in the beta, let us know how it works for you. I've only seen the service operating in extremely controlled conditions (read: at conferences in front of half drunk gaming journalists), and while it seemed to work, I'm very interested to hear how it works in the real world.

Permalink

 

[Abedeus]

US only, great. I suspect that it will be a major success! [/sarcasm]

But why would you look at a $3000 price tag? Don't tell me you think those PCs are worth that much :]

 

[SirSchmoopy]

To be honest this type of dream just can't exist with todays internet.

The ping if even 100 ms would be unbearable in so many games.

 

[DRADIS C0ntact]

Even though OnLive isn't going to work, I seriously want one of those controllers. Those things look awesome! It's like a 360 controller, but sexier.

 

[JRCB]

Looks sort of silly to me. Can only play games when you have internet access? What if you want to play a single player game while the internet is down?

 

[Joshimodo]

Even though OnLive isn't going to work, I seriously want one of those controllers. Those things look awesome! It's like a 360 controller, but sexier.

Yup. Can't help but wonder WHY they copied the 360's D-Pad though.


Shame it's a US-only beta.

 

[Abedeus]

Even though OnLive isn't going to work, I seriously want one of those controllers. Those things look awesome! It's like a 360 controller, but sexier.

I know, like, it's black and gold... And looks a lot more awesome.

Looks sort of silly to me. Can only play games when you have internet access? What if you want to play a single player game while the internet is down?

CONNECTION SEVERED, PUNY USER!! MHWHAHHAHAHA thank you for your subscription, you're screwed.

Or when you're fighting a Ninja Gaiden 2 boss, almost won... and your connection goes down.

This brings another question - only PC games, or OnLive too? If only PC games, it will make little sense for most of the current high-end machines users to get it.

 

[h0m1cyde]

Amen

 

[Baby Tea]

US only? No love for the Canuck Gamers?
Boo! I demand my wasted effort filling out that short form be compensated...with a hug of sorts.
It truly is a shame. I'd love to give it a chance with my Netbook.

 

[Avaholic03]

So have they announced how the pricing will work? Will it be like Steam where you have to purchase a license for each game you want to play, or will you get access to whatever games are available for a flat fee?

 

[IamQ]

2 D-pads? Whyyyyyyyy?

 

[The Kangaroo]

If it works it will replace my computer

 

[The Kangaroo]

has anyone else noticed that the buttons spell vile when read backwards

 

[onlivefans.com]

Over at Onlivefans.com it appears as though none of our members have received a beta invite yet.

 

[Valiance]

has anyone else noticed that the buttons spell vile when read backwards

And evil?

lol.

Yeah, well, considering I'm playing shit in 800x600 instead of 2560x1600, 720p will probably look nice to me.

If this shit works, I'd be amazed.

 

[Shycte]

You need to be at least 18, based in the US and have a broadband-connected PC running Windows Vista®/XP®, or an Intel®-based Mac

This is not fair, ANYWERE!

The lawercopter goes suesuesuesuesuesue.

 

[Zerbye]

If only PC games, it will make little sense for most of the current high-end machines users to get it.

Even if 20% of all PC users already have high-end machines, this will open up the left-over 80% of the market to be able to play these games...this would more than double the install base. That's big-time money.

 

[Abedeus]

If only PC games, it will make little sense for most of the current high-end machines users to get it.

Even if 20% of all PC users already have high-end machines, this will open up the left-over 80% of the market to be able to play these games...this would more than double the install base. That's big-time money.

Let's just wait what Nvidia or ATI has to say about the OnLive.