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It was only this year that Netflix Instant completely changed the way I watch movies. Previously I was an avid DVD/Blu-Ray collector with over 1,000 titles collected to date, but in 2010 I have yet to purchase a single film. There just seems to be no purpose, it's so much cheaper and easier to just start up Netflix and watch something there. I've even been exposed to new content, like many overlooked television shows that I would have never considered had it not been for Netflix. While it may not be the choice for everyone, I can't really see why I would want to go back to high priced cable and expensive movies again. I often wonder if we could do this for video games and thanks to a new service that has been making waves for the last six months, we just might.

OnLive logo by frojas

Enter OnLive

As recent as last year, OnLive seemed like a service of the future with great potential but no one believed it would actually work. The concept uses cloud computing, a process where all data is handled and stored by a remote computer, OnLive promises that you can play the most top of the line games with any computer that has a web browser. The remote cloud computer is actually running the game, so your computer at home is merely streaming the video and sending the inputs from your controller/keyboard/mouse. We all get the concept, but the reality is that OnLive requires a very fast internet connection, recommended 5.0 mbps or more, that many households just don't have. On the other hand, I myself do have speeds that can support the platform and I am pleased to say that it runs quite well albeit that I will occasionally lose control of my character on screen for a few seconds or get garbled video when my internet hiccups. So, okay, it works, now what?

OnLive Menu by frojas

OnLive charges no monthly fee for having the service. Previously it was going to cost subscribers $5/mo, but thanks to sponsored support and a large number of members, that fee will never go into effect. You have the choice to rent or purchase the games, buying 3- and 5-day passes for around $5-$10, or purchasing small titles for around $10-$20 and major releases for around $40-$60. Much like digital distribution service Steam, sales occur frequently although we have yet to see sales even remotely as good as Steam offers. The most significant detail is the fact that PC gamers can finally rent titles instead of having to purchase them. If you are unsure about Arkham Asylum or Borderlands, pick up the 3-day pass and try it before you buy it. Much like a console game rental, if you happen to beat it in a short period of time there's no need to purchase the full title. This can be very appetizing for the consistent PC gamer who isn't ready to drop $50 every time a new game comes out.

Computer vs. Console

Since the PS2/Xbox era, it has been conceivable to play many titles on either a PC or a gaming console. These days the list of games that are exclusive to either platform is shrinking even more, with only select titles like Uncharted or Fable claiming console exclusivity and the same with Crysis and The Witcher on PCs. In addition, many PC gamers are making the move to console because it doesn't require the consistent (and expensive) hardware updates to play the newest games. There are a dedicated group of PC gamers who stray from consoles for various reasons from the lack of mods to the ability to use a keyboard and mouse. For the most part, gamers choose a side because using both consoles and PCs is just too expensive and time consuming, but it seems less and less that these two factions really have anything against one another.

OnLive Micro Console by frojas

OnLive attempts to bridge this gap by offering a little bit of everything. Traditional PC players can enjoy the freedom of keyboard/mouse setups and the experience that only the small contained screens of a PC offer. At current OnLive doesn't support mods, but in due time I think we'll see the service come around to the amazing mod community, even if it is highly sanctioned. If you prefer console gaming, OnLive supports wired Xbox 360 controllers plugged into your PC as a way to enjoy the service's titles. In addition, a recently launched "micro console" attaches to your TV to offer up to 1080p graphics and a wireless controller for a mere $100, which currently includes a free title. Given that this price is the same or less than most Netflix instant streaming devices, OnLive is definitely trying to make its service as accessible as possible.

Connecting the Dots

Starting January 15, 2011, OnLive will begin the earliest form of video games on demand. A $9.99/mo subscription service, The Play Pack, will go into effect that gives you unlimited access to certain games that OnLive has to offer. Of course these won't be the newest titles, much like the Netflix counterpart, but there are some gems in the earliest batch like Unreal Tournament III, World of Goo and Puzzle Chronicles. Also included will be last year's sports titles, like NBA 2K10, that can be enjoyed by sports gamers that don't necessarily need the newest title update day one. It's an early work in progress, but one that no doubt has me intrigued. I do feel that OnLive needs to make a few more improvements before this can all go mainstream, including expanding its library and adding in titles like Crysis or Modern Warfare 2 to really impress non-believers. In the meantime, early adopters on a budget can definitely reap the benefits of a console that only runs $100 (free if you're okay with using a PC) and a $10/mo subscription fee. While it may not replace PCs/consoles in homes at current, OnLive has the potential to one day offer a single console, games on demand service that does for video games what Netflix has done for movies.

OnLive Marketplace by frojas