- Cloud gaming
-
Cloud gaming, also called gaming on demand, is a type of online gaming that allows direct and on-demand streaming of games onto a computer, similar to video on demand, through the use of a thin client, in which the actual game is stored on the operator's or game company's server and is streamed directly to computers accessing the server through the client. This allows access to games without the need of a console and largely makes the capability of the user's computer unimportant, as the server is the system that is running the processing needs.[1][2] The controls and button presses from the user are transmitted directly to the server, where they are recorded, and the server then sends back the game's response to the input controls. This process works swiftly without notable latency allowing interactive high action game play. Furthermore, a low-level internet connection will also work with the server connection, with only a "DSL connection of 1.5 mbps" needed for a standard-definition television.[3]
Contents
Description
Gaming on demand is a game service which will take advantage of a broadband connection, large server clusters, encryption and compression to stream game content directly to a subscriber. Game content isn't stored on the user's machine and game code execution occurs primarily at the server so a less powerful computer can be used than the game would normally require.[4][5]
Recent developments
Video game developer Crytek began research on a cloud gaming solution in 2005 for their game Crysis, but halted development in 2007 to wait until the infrastructure and cable net providers were up for the task.[6][7]
On November 18, 2010, SFR launched commercial GoD service on IPTV powered by G-cluster technology.[8][9]
On March 10, 2010, OnLive officially launched. The OnLive Game Service then turned on in the US on June 17, 2010, at an initial monthly service fee of $4.95, plus the cost of games and the OnLive microconsole.[10][11] However, this fee was not to be applied for a year while OnLive worked out their business model and anyone who signed up during 2010 would not be charged until 2011 as well as have their account marked as a "founding member". Later, the fee was removed altogether as part of a review of this business model and as of October 2010, there are no plans to reintroduce this fee to simply use the service.
On February 27, 2011, Gaikai, which allows game publishers and others to embed free streaming gameplay trials on their web sites, launched its open beta with games from Electronic Arts including Dead Space 2, Mass Effect 2, and Sims 3.[12] Gaikai-enabled games can be embedded directly inside websites, on Facebook,[13] or on mobile devices[14] and IPTVs.[15] In spring 2011, Gaikai went live with multiple partnerships including Walmart and The Escapist, as well as announcing deals with Eurogamer and Capcom.[16] Gaikai-enabled games stream from within web browsers without requiring downloads, special plug-ins, or registration, and can be activated by clicking on an enabled advertisement or visiting a Gaikai-powered game destination.[17]
On April 28, 2011, Free, a French Internet service provider, launched "GameTree TV", a gaming on demand platform for the Freebox Revolution, its advanced IPTV set-top-box. The service is based on the GameTree TV platform by TransGaming Inc.
History
- 2005: G-cluster launches the first commercial live deployment of cloud gaming in Europe [18]
- 2008: The first HD 720p service showcased by G-cluster on Amino STB.[19]
- 2009: OnLive and Gaikai announce cloud based gaming services.[20][21]
- 2010: SFR launches cloud gaming on demand service on IPTV commercially in France.[22]
- 2010: OnLive launches.[23]
- 2011: Gaikai launches.[24]
Solution providers
Current main Cloud Gaming solution providers include:
- Cyber Ai Entertainment[25]
- Gaikai
- G-cluster (French operator SFR)
- OnLive
- OTOY
- Playcast Media Systems
- Spoon.net
- StreamMyGame
See also
References
- ^ "Exclusive: Does cloud gaming spell the end for consoles?". TechRadar. March 24, 2009. http://hcc.techradar.com/playback/game_news/exclusive+does+cloud+gaming+spell+end+consoles+24+03+09. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ "Taking gaming into the 'cloud'". BBC News. June 9, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8085937.stm. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
- ^ Dobra, Andrei (March 25, 2009). "OnLive Presents Cloud Gaming, Lets You Play Any Title". Softpedia. http://news.softpedia.com/news/OnLive-Presents-Cloud-Gaming-Let-039-s-You-Play-Any-Title-107677.shtml. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ Beaumont, Claudine (June 18, 2010). "OnLive launches cloud-based gaming service". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7838692/OnLive-launches-cloud-based-gaming-service.html. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ Crowther, Joe (June 17, 2010). "OnLive launch cloud gaming platform". Metro. http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/831469-onlive-launch-cloud-gaming-platform. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ "Crytek was way ahead of OnLive". That VideoGame Blog. April 2, 2009. http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/2009/04/02/crytek-was-way-ahead-of-onlive/. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
- ^ Dobra, Andrei (April 27, 2009). "Crytek Attempted Cloud Gaming Way Before OnLive". Softpedia. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Crytek-Attempted-Cloud-Gaming-Way-Before-OnLive-110232.shtml. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ http://jeux-tv.sfr.fr/
- ^ http://www.clubic.com/connexion-internet/fai-sfr-box-neufbox/actualite-373750-cloud-gaming-sfr-service-jeux-video-neufbox.html
- ^ Perlman, Steve (2010-03-10). "OnLive: Coming to a Screen Near You". OnLive.com. http://blog.onlive.com/2010/03/10/onlive-coming-to-a-screen-near-you/. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
- ^ Shiels, Maggie (2010-03-11). "'Console killer' OnLive to launch in June". news.bbc.co.uk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8556874.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
- ^ "Gaikai cloud gaming service goes live". February 27, 2011. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20036987-1.html. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- ^ "Gaikai to add 10 million monthly active users by fall 2011". June 24, 2011. http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/24/gaikai-to-add-10-million-monthly-active-users-by-fall-2011/. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ Zimmerman, Conrad (May 3, 2010). "World of Warcraft running on an iPad?". http://www.destructoid.com/world-of-warcraft-running-on-an-ipad--172689.phtml. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ "Perry promises Gaikai on TVs by 2012". June 10, 2011. http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/10/perry-promises-gaikai-on-tvs-by-2012/. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ Snider,Mike (July 5, 2011). "Capcom teams up with cloud video game company Gaikai". USA Today. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2011/07/capcom-teams-up-with-cloud-video-game-company-gaikai/1?loc=interstitialskip. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ "What is Gaikai?". http://www.gaikai.com/about#general. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ "Club iT and Alcatel Bring G-Cluster Gaming-on-Demand to Cyprus Telecommunications Authority Interactive TV Service As Part of Alcatel’s Open Media Platform". http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/144121/club_it_and_alcatel_bring_gcluster_gamingondemand_to_cyprus_telecommunications.
- ^ "Amino Unveils G-cluster Streaming Games Service in HD". March 20, 2008. http://www.tvover.net/2008/03/20/Amino+Unveils+Gcluster+Streaming+Games+Service+In+HD.aspx. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "GDC: OnLive Announces Cloud-Based Gaming Service". March 24, 2009. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22875. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "GDC: OnLive rival Gaikai cloud gaming device announced by David Perry". April 6, 2009. http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/04/06/onlive-rival-gaikai-cloud-gaming-device-announced-by-david-perry.htm. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Jeux à la Demande TV". http://www.sfr.fr/jeux/jeux-tv/. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Welcome to OnLive!". June 15, 2010. http://blog.onlive.com/2010/06/15/welcome-to-onlive/. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Gaikai cloud gaming service goes live". February 27, 2011. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20036987-1.html. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ Davison, John (November 11, 2009). "Ken Kuturagi working on a "cloud" gaming service?". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/212925/ken-kuturagi-working-on-a-cloud-gaming-service/. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
External links
Categories:- Cloud gaming
- Video game software
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.