OnLive, a new online gaming system that gives users access to next-generation games via the internet with no need for a console, has gone live in the UK.
Gamers can play around 150 games, including high-profile titles such as Assassins Creed and Deus Ex, on various devices including PCs, Mac tablets and net-connected televisions.
There is no charge for the actual OnLive software, users can sign up and download it for free.
However, a ‘micro-console’ is a separate piece of hardware that can be used with regular TVs and can be bought from GAME and Gamestation for a retail price of £69.99.
Games can be rented for 3 or 5 days, or gamers can opt to buy a ‘full pass’. Additionally, OnLive offer a subscription service called ‘PlayPack’, which allows subscribers to access a catalogue of over 100 games – this costs £6.99 per month.
PlayPack subs also benefit from a 30% discount off all normal prices.
The cloud-based system was launched at the Eurogamer Expo at Earls Court, west London, where around 40,000 enthusiasts will gather over the next few days to try out the latest games.
OnLive works in partnership with communications giant BT in the Uk, and customers of BT will be able to enjoy gaming for free, as BT Total and BT Infinity customers will get three months free, resulting in a saving of over £20.
Whilst officials admit that the picture quality will not be as good as games consoles and or a game from a high-spec PC, they have added that the on demand feature and the sheer choice of games is what makes the service so popular.
OnLive pioneer cloud gaming. While games on similar services such as XBLA, PSN and Steam have to be downloaded and stored on a hard drive, OnLive games exist on an external server where all the processing is done. All that’s handled at the player’s end is a video stream, meaning that high-spec games can be played on relatively low-end hardware.
Steve Perlman, OnLive Founder and CEO, said: “OnLive is incredibly excited to bring instant-play, on-demand cloud gaming to the UK. OnLive is an entirely new way of experiencing top-tier video games, anywhere, anytime and on virtually any connected device, whether TV, PC, Mac or tablet, with awesome cloud-powered features and community unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. UK gamers, welcome to OnLive!”
John Spinale, OnLive VP of Games and Media, stated: “We’re excited to bring an incredible range of social features to the UK that are unique to the OnLive world. OnLive UK gamers will immediately find themselves immersed in OnLive’s international massive spectating and voice chat community, which adds an unprecedented dimension to the gaming experience.”
