Top 5 features which makes OnLive better than current consoles

OnLive has some pretty cool features which PS3 and Xbox 360 can only really dream about at present.

[zerofourseven]

While I like OnLive as a service, I like actually having a physical copy of my games!

[bunt-custardly]

Physical, smysical. I bet you're more than contempt with XBLA and PSN download games, Onlive is frankly an evolution of digital distribution.

I like to 'own' my games, and think Onlive should introduce a download option for those that wish to use it, whether it be due to their capped internet, or just playing said game so much that it makes more sense to have the data locally.

[Mrmagnumman357]

If they get bf3 on max settings on their i will buy. I played metro 2033 on their and it looked good, but it wasn't the max settings and it showed. i can max out crysis 2 on my pc, but probably not bf3. So if they want to get me on that service they need to add the ability to get mods on their like the realism mod for crysis, and bf3. Still if onlive gets more games, and there service gets better, i think it has a future

[BrutallyBlunt]

I agree with everything aside from #4. The graphics are better than what my PC is capable of but not my consoles. OnLive suffers from fast movement and the image quality suffers to retain it's playability. The games also looked washed out to me.

I still think the service is awesome. I love how you can jump in and watch people right away. It's very easy and intuitive. The pricing is also getting much better. I just got an e-mail that Homefront is less than $20 now.

In time it will be a serious contender to current consoles with games like Saints Row 3 getting simultaneous releases. However right now the game line-ups favor consoles big time.

[BattleAxe]

I created an Onlive account just the other day, and while in its current state I would never consider it over Steam, PSN or Live, it does have some cool features, and the user interface is very well done. I like the half hour free trials, and I like how you can choose to purchase games the way you like, whether you want to rent a game for 5 days, pay a subscription for a year and play unlimited games(within the Onlive Library) or just buy the game completely, there are some great options. I also love how you can watch people playing their games, whether it be single player or multiplayer.

I can only imagine where Onlive will be 5 years from now, especially if Google or Apple buy them out. This would even be a great purchase for Sony or Microsoft, as they could sell the Micro Console as a Live Only or PSN Only console which would have a very cheap up front cost to the consumer.

[Persistantthug]

If so....which one?

[Baka-akaB]

Uh...

So the setup is better while you need to update the controller ?

"there is no device or leads to mess around with"
What device you mess with when dealing with a console ? The router, a screen ? Well it's the same for onlive , you still use one .

You also forget how , while the pad is ok , it's very inferior to any 360 , ps3 or wii pad . It's cheap thrustmaster knock off level at best .

One fair question anyway , since i'm on the dark on that one , are accessories like wheel and joystick , or arcade stick even compatibles ? Can you even use other pc compatible pads at least ?

"Better graphics: Whilst this is subjective"

Thanks for at least acknowledging that when you can't even run all games fine (dirt 3's horrible input lag ? ) and since the "fuzziness" is a lot more frequent FOR NOW , than stated .

"Future Proof"
Maybe , but not even present or past proof yet .

[matgrowcott]

The OnLive system can use 360 Controllers. I've also successfully used 360 steering wheels on compatible games. There's the option to use a keyboard and mouse as well.

Rule of thumb: if it's USB compatible and works on a PC, there probably won't be much issue getting it to work with OnLive. At least, I've seen nothing to prove that wrong so far.

[ISKREEM]

One thing that I find a lot of people overlook about OnLive is that it eliminates piracy and used games indefinitely.

[Bimkoblerutso]

It also throws "concept of ownership" COMPLETELY out the window. You are at the mercy of the company through and through. It is literally a way of controlling the consumer.

[RaidensRising]

Oh please, that's such a negative spin on things.
and Baka-akaB - if using a PC or Laptop there is not external or internal devices needed to use Onlive.

[Hufandpuf]

You could always sue if you can't access your games or if they get deleted by the company. Check the terms of service.

[Bimkoblerutso]

And if the company goes under for whatever reason? What do you have? Nothing. It is a rental service.

Which is fine, honestly, but it should never be promoted as anything BUT a rental service because there is absolutely no concept of ownership. You are not paying them for the right of ownership of a product. You are paying them for the right to play with their product on their terms.

[Baka-akaB]

"and Baka-akaB - if using a PC or Laptop there is not external or internal devices needed to use Onlive"

Again what's that supposed to mean ? What external devices do you need with a console otherwise ?

You need for either onlive or console an internet access , be it via pc and/or router (well for consoles only for online gaming and patchign actually) and a screen .

If its about screens well you can use consoles on them too usually .

Just seems like a PR claim that's empty and actually means nothing .

[OC_MurphysLaw]

One thing that Onlive doesn't have over consoles or regular PC gaming... something exclusive. It's hook is solely stream games via a medium setting PC level quality. That hook isnt enough. Onlive needs to cut a deal for an exclusive great game only playable via Onlive. That would help usher them in to be considered a real player in the space. For now they are a bit of a gimmicky second thought.

Dont get me wrong...Onlive works pretty well, but there is no reason for me to play it.

[matgrowcott]

While I can't talk at length about it (it's not published yet), I did an interview with Steve Perlman at Eurogamer a couple of weeks ago that you may be interested in reading (when it's published, GamesCatalyst.com).

First of all, they were showing From Dust (with an OnLive exclusive touch interface) on an iPad2, I was told playing that game uses significantly less power than even watching a movie. So the first advantage is this idea of cross-platform play; you don't need to be playing on a PC.

Secondly, Perlman made it clear that the idea isn't for people to drop all their current equipment and jump onto OnLive. Why would you want to do that if you have the perfect PC anyway?

But it's free to test out the demos - you can give a game a go without downloading it. It's free to check out the arena if you want to see more than the demo can show you. If all you do is get a free account and use it to save hard drive space on your PC/consoles, the impression I got was that the OnLive people would be happy.

[BrianC6234]

I don't see any reason to use OnLive. It just isn't worth it. Not enough big games. The older games they do offer you can buy for cheap now if you want them.

[veChuy]

Onlive is a big fail I tried and you need a superb internet connection if u want play decently and still lags a little, the graphics are normal, for me ps3 and xbox360 has better graphics, I canceled my onlive account after a week is worthless.

[matgrowcott]

I was playing my system at a house that usually struggles playing multiplayer games lag-free, and it was playing perfectly (in SD). That's probably around 3mbs. If you're expecting a whole game streaming over the internet and you've got less than 3mb internet, expect to be disappointed.

[Omega Zues]

Onlive can have a ton of potential but sadly a few things hold it back.

First off the Graphics. Funny how this is the number 1 reason why you would want Onlive in the first place. But sadly Onlive does not support native 1080p streaming. So having the "Ultra MAX GRAPHICXS" is impossible until they improve the streaming ability.

Second, the publishers. I hate to say this, but one of the biggest publishers Onlive needs is EA. Because EA has their own service "Origin" they refuse to let any of their games available for Onlive. And thats a strong list of games. Mass Effect, BattleField, Crysis, Dead Space. Then theres other publishers like Valve and Blizzard.

So until Onlive strikes some major deals. Its going to be missing the games people want to max out in the first place.

[Mrmagnumman357]

you hit the nail on the head there, also they need activision too. Without activision and EA, they are missing some of the most popular games.

[media73]

The resolution is the worst thing, the streaming tech needs to upgraded. Low res texture and block graphics dont make a great playing experience.

[BrianC6234]

I just looked at OnLive's site at their game catalog and I don't see what the big deal is. They don't have that many games. I don't know why anyone would want this over a regular console or PC.

[Psychotica]

No thanks. There are still many games from years past that I haven't played yet and I know won't be on OnLive

[narutogameking]

Call me in 20 years when these extremely high internet speeds(required to use OnLive) are affordable.

Affordable = under $30 a month

[Pandamobile]

You can already get 5 Mbps internet (required for Onlive in 720p) in most developed countries.

[yavorsv]

it's funny because here in Bulgaria we can't afford a lot of the things like you do (that's why piracy is so high), but we have some of the fastest internet in the world. The lowest internet speed in my little hometown from one of the providers is 50Mbps and that's for under $20. You can get 96Mbps for under $40. :) And sadly OnLive is not available. :)

[Brasi82]

while it looks nice I like to play my games without being dependent on the internet.

[ufo8mycat]

Yeah lets play games that rely on the internet and where SP games have lag....

[Chrono]

I can list 50 reasons why it's worse.

[dantesparda]

Yeah, like HORRIBLE video quality, cuz that's what it is. Video!!! and not even good one at that. Way to compressed!

[Ness-Psi]

I have been playing onlive for the past week, on various devices and I think its excellent. I think its a good alternative if you don't want the hassle of optimizing your PC settings all the time or aren't PC savvy. you do get some lag sometimes but it hasn't been enough to put me off, and I was playing metro 2033 on my laptop that can just about handle half life 2 (on medium settings) lol.

I don't think it will replace consoles but its a good indication of where gaming can go. and just an alternative to what's out there.