Comments on: Gaikai Cloud-Based Gaming Service: Onlive Killer?

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:12:22 +0000

I agree but this is a very exciting time for cloud gaming. Its cool to have OnLive but to have 2 other competing services is very cool. Competition is always good.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:50:15 +0000

Actually I just read that they will allow demo and rental of select games without having to pay a subscription fee. I guess it will be lacking some options and some games. Maybe it’ll be more like games will go to the pay people first and after a few months they’ll trickle down to non-subs. We’ll see.

It will be great for PC gamers and of course it’ll be up to the persons connection but I think later on when new consoles come out even console people will look at OnLive and services like it. Instead of paying $400-600 on a new console people may thin this is a better option…if their internet access is good enough.

By: lambert v.

lambert v. — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:25:59 +0000

I’m also curious about Gaikai’s pricing scheme, but right now it seems like they don’t want to commit to anything concrete about providing an OnLive-like service.

By: lambert v.

lambert v. — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:24:29 +0000

People who love to play games on their PC are the ones who’ll get the most out of OnLive – assuming that the service itself doesn’t suck of course. Otherwise, people who own other gaming systems (like me) will find it hard to pay $15 a month for something that we won’t regularly use.

But overall the success of OnLive or any other cloud-based gaming service depends largely on a factor that they can’t control – the quality of the internet connection of their potential customers. I don’t know if there are enough customers out there with high speed internet, but if there are then OnLive and company will be here to stay (again, assuming that their services don’t suck).

By: lambert v.

lambert v. — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:13:08 +0000

I agree. Until the day comes when there’s only one gaming platform, OnLive et al won’t be able to serve all types of games. Take Wii or Nintendo DS games for example, the ones that make full use of the Wiimote’s motion controls and the DS stylus/touchscreen. We won’t be able to test or appreciate games like that completely simply because the controls won’t be the same.

By: lambert v.

lambert v. — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:09:00 +0000

I should look into this OTOY. But as far as brand names go, OnLive is ahead by a mile.

By: Xinter

Xinter — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:12:16 +0000

I read “Select” to mean that game publishers may not allow all games to be available through a free portal, which would affect Gaikai as well. BTAIM, OnLive certainly could decide to offer all games they are allowed to if they need to be competitive.

The key thing is Gaikai’s announcement only talks about OnLive’s $15/mo service. They would have said something about OnLive’s free service if they were aware of it.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:14:04 +0000

“Through the OnLive Game Portal, gamers will be able to play SELECT games directly on a rental basis as well as game demos for free”

It says select games so not all games will be rentable or demoed. Its a good offer though, some is better than none and they may change their mind and give full access rentals later. I guess it depends on how many $15/mo subs they get and how much money they make from the portal with no subs just on rentals.

By: Xinter

Xinter — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:56:03 +0000

OnLive announced they are offering a free demo service last week with the same free deal that Gaikai is proposing, but also with the ability to rent or buy the game. http://bit.ly/d4WBfP

It looks like this interview was recorded before OnLive’s announcement because the pricing comparison doesn’t make sense now.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:59:15 +0000

There is a third company in the mix and thats OTOY. They’re backed by AMD, Supermicro and strangely enough Intel…while AMD is contributing servers and video cards it seems Intel isn’t giving anything but money so it seems.

This seems more like a good battle with OnLive. There is no video, I’d love to see what this can do and see pricing structure. While OnLive is looking mostly toward games OTOY looks like its going to do not only games, but video (movies and maybe tv), OS’ for virtual offices and more.

Gaikai looks interesting, but i don’t quite know where its going. Not sure if there will be a dedicated site with games or you have to go to several sites. Not sure the quality of the games. Have to wait.

It’ll be an interesting battle. The thing is OnLive is reality now, when will the other two come out? What will the quality be like and which will have the most and best content? OnLive does have a lot of the major game companies behind it. The thing that may make it hard for the average person is the price. At $15 a month PLUS game rental and buying fee, it may be a little much for people to swallow.

By: XpAcErX

XpAcErX — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:12:02 +0000

Gaikai sounds like one big Demo service. Wii games and other non-graphically intense games would be the extent of it. I dont see this going anywhere Onlive at least will have HD games. The real trick is getting all the vendors on board other wise these services just become another PC gaming service. Onlive wont have Killzone 2, MGS4, Infamous, Uncharted 2, MAG, etc. Why because they are not PC games.