Gamertell

Imagine a future where you don’t need to run out and buy the latest console, or send yourself into debt building the best PC for your gaming needs. Even better, imagine the sexiest of next-gen titles running at full speed right on your crappy old computer (or TV), with no beefy hardware required. OnLive Inc. is hoping that sounds good to you, because when the streaming game service launches later this year, that’s exactly what it’ll be offering.

According to GameLife and MTV Multiplayer, the service will launch in “winter 2009” and will be based on a subscription model. OnLive users will have access to a huge library of games (many of the biggest publishers are on board), which will enjoy same-day releases on consoles/PCs and on Onlive. Users don’t need anything but a tiny install (for Macs and PCs) or a small set top box for TVs, and games will be controlled via the proprietary controller.

From the GameLife post:

“Here’s how it works: When you subscribe to the company’s service, OnLive is basically running whatever game you choose to play on its computer, and streaming the video feed to you. Simultaneously, the inputs you make on OnLive’s proprietary controller - which looks similar to an Xbox 360 controller - are being streamed to OnLive’s computer.”

If this company can seriously pull this off (it’s going to take a whole lot of technical finesse to keep the experience smooth), then it just may change the landscape of gaming as we know it. As long as the price is right (and company reps are promising that it will be very competitive compared to console/PC costs), then OnLive just may break right into the hardcore market. That is, if we’re ready for the next chapter in the great platform war.

Read [GameLife] Read [MTV Multiplayer]