Current Event Posting: # 2
Topic: Technology
Title: OnLive Gaming System Will Stream to TV Sets
Writer: Eric A. Taub
Publication Name: New York Times Online
Date of Publication: November 28, 2010
Length: about 700 words
A new gaming console is on the rise. OnLive gaming system is looking to compete with Play Station 3, XBox 360, and Nintendo's Wii. Why is OnLive any different, well for starters, it uses no disks. It uses state-of-the-art technology known as a cloud, an internet-based computing method in which resources, software, and information can be shared on demand, eliminating the need for disks. OnLive's creator, Steve Perlman, is already a well-known Silicon Valley inventor and hopes that by December users will be able to stream games to their televisions using a small box the size of a cigarette package that taps into high-speed internet. The cost of the box, only $99. OnLive is also different because it eliminates stuttering, stalling, and lower resolution displays by shrinking the size of the game programs during transmission. “The low latency of the video compression scheme makes a game look like it’s appearing instantaneously,” Mr. Perlman said. He envisions that television companies will eventually incorporate this small box directly into their TVs with games being held at his companies data centers, extinguishing the need for any hardware at all. Another advantage of OnLive is that games are usually about $10 cheaper, due to the fact that there is no actual disk being purchased. One analyst said, “I think that there is a huge potential for many other value-added services, such as videoconferencing, secure computing and Internet TV.” OnLive, however, also has some disadvantages. Competing with big companies with deep pockets poses one problem. Another is that there is a much smaller game selection. As of now there are about 35 titles available and hopefully about 50 by Christmas. Lastly, many consumers don't to add another box to their house.
In conclusion, the OnLive gaming console has a promising future. When loosing games, breaking and scratching disks, or even getting them too dirty to play is a problem, OnLive is your solution. This disk-less console uses top of the line, cloud technology to stream games directly to your TV using a small box. OnLive is also cheaper because there is no need to buy actual disks, not to mention the fact that the box itself is much cheaper than other consoles.
In my opinion, OnLive is going to help many gamers. Once it expands its selection the future is bright. Now-a-days many people ruin or lose disks, while others are just too lazy to go to stores to buy new games. Using cloud technology is a great idea to appeal to those users. It is also a great solution to consumers who don't want to jumble up TV displays with big boxes or tons of disks.
I agree. I think that OnLive is very convenient for everyone, including those who do not play videogames constantly. Nowadays, game systems like Wii and the XBox 360 are used in a wider age range. So adults tend to buy videogames as gifts for even younger children, who are not as responsible as adult gamers. The children are more likely to ruin or scratch disks or CD's, or even lose them. Videogame disks are easy to scratch, which causes the games to glitch or not work. So OnLive seems like a great solution to the annoying problems that disks create.
ReplyDeleteIf OnLive was able to persuade major gaming companies that it has the potential and the market, it could become a strong competitor against traditional consoles. The only difficulties for the product is trying to gain the rights to popular gaming titles and trying to gain the trust of the consumer when people have used the traditional disc and console for so long.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that OnLive is a great invention for all ages. The kids and teenagers that play the games will no longer have to worry about loosing disks or scratching them to they will no longer play. The adults do not have to constantly ask their children to put away the game since is is only the size of a cigarette box and requires no disks. And lastly it is a great invention because it is cheaper than most video game consoles/games.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great invention. The cost certainly is low which is great for the state of economy that we are in now. Also disks for regular consoles are usually around 50 to 60 dollars when they first come out, meaning on average you spend about 200 dollars a year for the games you want. For OnLive, since they are cheaper and there is no risk of getting them lost, stolen or damaged is a major upside. Another upside, it getting the game when you want it. Say you have a certain group of friends coming over, you could buy the game on the spot which makes it a lot more simple to obtain more games. I think if OnLive steers there business in the right direction, it could be one of the more profitable companies in the world.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good idea in theory but I would not want to buy it right away. I feel that this system has many flaws (like a lot of 1st generation systems) and would need to be ironed out. I also think that until this system is perfected that not many people will switch over from their old systems to this new one. It is a good idea and hopefully will have a lot of success in later versions.
ReplyDelete