OnLive review

This is my first review I've done so don't be to harsh :-D

OnLive is a game on-demand service that costs $4.95 month. It allows you to play high end games on old/not very fast hardware such as laptops etc. OnLive has game servers that encodes the video and then sends the video to you.

I got a invite for OnLive yesterday so I thought I would try it.

My first thoughts were how did they get a video codec to compress it down and play it at the same time with no lag. When using OnLive I noticed it took 6 Mbps bandwidth continually.

Pros:
Easy to use

• No need for patching, updates, does it run on my system etc.
• No need for hardware upgrades
• No need to download games
• Reasonable monthly fee

Cons:

• No dedicated server or mods.
• Effected by high ping etc.
• Must have a decent internet connection over 6 Mbps
• Limited to 720P rez 1280x720
• Low quality (Noticed no AA or AF when playing)
• If you have a bandwidth cap you will reach it quickly.
• If OnLive goes out of business or you stop paying $4.95 month you loose access to your games. I think this is a big one. Also herd if you buy the game you don't get it forever.

I think OnLive is a good start but it's not perfect by any means. I still think reg PC gaming is better then OnLive at the moment.

 

You do not get to keep your game forever. You get to keep it for x number of years. Personally, I think they'd have been better off setting it up as a rental service.