It would be nice to play high-end 3D games while traveling abroad. But not many of us can take a screaming game PC with us wherever we go.
OnLive has an answer for this market niche. The games-on-demand service announced today that U.S.-based OnLive users will be able to play their games and try free demos while traveling overseas.
Palo Alto, Calif.-based OnLive offers server-based gaming, which means it runs the games on its servers and then sends the graphics over a broadband connection to the user, who can then display the graphics on any computer. You can thus play a high-end game such as Assassin’s Creed 2 on a low-end desktop or laptop. Using that same technology, OnLive will now let users who are traveling abroad play server-based games via broadband connections.
It may be a niche market, but it’s a cool one. It lets OnLive distinguish itself from other online game services, and it can be a lifeline for traveling hardcore gamers looking for a computer game fix. But in the long term, the new capability shows that OnLive will be able to support gaming around the world for its games-on-demand service.
June 5th: The AI Audit in NYC
Join us next week in NYC to engage with top executive leaders, delving into strategies for auditing AI models to ensure fairness, optimal performance, and ethical compliance across diverse organizations. Secure your attendance for this exclusive invite-only event.
You can play with a PC or a Mac. OnLive is in the process of opening up data centers in various parts of the world to support its on-demand games. Earlier this month, OnLive eliminated its monthly subscription fees; now, you can buy or rent games on onlive on an a la carte basis. OnLive has the potential to disrupt video game retailers by cutting them out of the distribution picture through direct broadband connections with users. That’s why the company raised a lot of money and has a $1.1 billion valuation.
BT and Belgacom are looking to launch OnLive services in Europe. Other investors include AT&T, Warner Bros., Autodesk, Lauder Partners and Maverick Capital. The company has raised a lot of money, but hasn’t disclosed the exact amount. It has more than 100 employees.
