OnLive: Gaming's Future?

[Kalyx triaD]

Here's the full story. But I'll list the key features so you don't have to read the ramblings of a star struck IGN writer.

• OnLive is a service not unlike YouTube where games are stored on a server and streamed as you play them via a 'mini-console' device (connected to a PC or TV).
• The games stream at such a rate that lag is nigh non-existent, and the game's themselves run at 60fps. Like a video on YouTube, the game streams immediately, no downloading required.
• The only hardware needed is the mini-console (just a bit larger than a portable console), cords (of course), and an input device (controller, mouse/keyboard).
• The program is a service where games can be purchased or rented. Piracy will essentially be next to impossible to do in this case. You may also play demos instantly when you want to.
• The service will save recently played games as well as friend's list and the ability to record some gameplay and show it off.
• The whole thing is like a mix between XBLive, YouTube, Gametap, and Netflix.
• As you may have guessed, this service would render PC upgrades and console specs for games irrelevant as games are streamed from the server and no 'under the hood' specs are needed.

Pic 1, Mini-Console render.
Pic 2, Service screen.
_______________________________________________________________

Now do you think this will be gaming's new primary means of distribution like the overzealous IGN writer thinks, or do you - like me - see this as a great 4th venue (after consoles, portables, and smart phones)?

I'm gonna be honest, I don't think this will affect gaming anymore than YouTube, Netflix, or Gametap affects their respective uses (though YouTube doesn't aim to be the future of... anything, and Netflix and Gametap have made strides). There's a lot of things that I want answered:

Like does it have a dedicated method of control or can you use (presumably) any USB enabled controller (PS3, 360, Keyboard/Mouse)? How will this affect the game's actual preferred control method? Will there be multiple versions of one game to support these methods or will players of different methods be able to play together? Where do my game's saves go and what about DLC?

All these make me feel as though the service can't do much beyond what modern consoles offer (less in some ways), but I do get giddy at the prospect of what is essentially Wii Channels on crack, or big budget iPhone application like gaming platforms. You probably can't coerce me to buying shovelware on any given system, but I wouldn't mind buying reasonably priced games that fall somewhere between full featured console games and in-and-out arcade style experiences.

What say you?