What is OnLive?

OnLive is a platform for games.  It is not like your usual gaming console.  It is based on the idea that you shouldn’t have to upgrade your computer or gaming console every couple of years to play the latest and greatest games.

After 7 years of stealth development Steve Perlman, the creator of Quicktime, and his team announced the platform at the 2009 Game Developer’s Conference.  You can play games using the OnLive microconsole which connects directly to you TV and your internet connection or you can simply download a 1 MB plug-in for you internet browser.

The technology is built on streaming video so you don’t need any local hardware to render your games.  One thing you do need is a fast internet c0nnection though.  Once you have this you will never need to download, install or update any game since it is all streamed to your screen using clouding computing and video streaming technologies.

View the OnLive press release

What can I do with OnLive?

OnLive has many features, some we are used to, some we are not.  Here is a list of its currently known functionality:

• Play games with no download, install or wait-time.
• Play on your computer or TV using the OnLive MicroConsole.
• Buys full games
• Rent games
• Ability to save at any point in any game and pick up from that exact point when you log back into the service
• Watch live footage of anyone playing any game
• Play multiplayer games with almost 0 latency due to game connection being run in a lan-style configuration.

What are the requirements?

All you need is an internet connection that can handle 1.5Mb down for Standard Definition (SD) gaming at 480p 30fps or 5Mb down for High Definition gaming at 720p 60fps.  If you want to play directly on your TV you will need the MicroConsole.

OnLive is going to provide an OnLive controller that is very similar to current console controllers, but it has also been stated that you can use any USB controller or keyboard and mouse to control your games.

How much will it cost?

This is still very much up-in-the-air.  There have been mentions of a monthly subscription fee as well as purchase and rental prices for games.  This is offset by the fact that you don’t have to buy an expensive console and you will never need to upgrade your hardware.

The MicroConsole is presumed to be priced at between $100 – $150.

When will it be released?

The official word as of now is that OnLive will be launching in Winter 2009.  We will update as the time grows closer.

There is a public beta that is slated for summer 2009.  You can sign-up for the beta by going to the OnLive official website.

What games will there be?

We keep a current list of confirmed games and publishers.  Go ahead and head over to the Games and Publishers page for full details.

What kind of computer will I need to play OnLive?

There have been no hard details on this yet, but the service has been demonstrated on a MacBook Air and Dell Studio 15 so you definitely don’t need a powerful computer.  As long as you can currently play 720p 60fps video on your computer you should be fine.

What other features does OnLive offer?

• Brag Clips – Allows you to record your gameplay to show off to your friends and the world
• Arena – Allows you to spectate on live games including tournaments.