OnLive: Raising the Bar, Lowering the Requirements

The website <http://www.onlive.com> finally reached zero on its countdown, unveiling a gorgeous, yet simple website (although it was a good 15 minutes more before I could actually view it).  OnLive says, “after years of development in stealth mode, we finally expose ourselves to the world.”  But maybe you’re asking, just what is OnLive?

OnLive will be an online service that plans to revolutionize the way games are played.  In its simplest form, it is a casual gamer’s dream come true.  Many students go to school every year with their brand new laptops, only to find that they need a GPU to play just about any game they want.  Although older computers may not work with OnLive as well, they claim that any entry-level PC or Mac (yes, that’s right, Mac) will be able to use their service, as long as your internet connection is good enough.  There will even be an option to buy a small machine that can hook up to an HDTV, changing the way game consoles may be viewed in the future.

So how does it work?  OnLive has the ultimate gaming machines, so you don’t have to.  The service streams what’s going on in the game to you, and when you input the controls, it sends them via broadband internet to their servers, which calculate the next move, and send the feedback to you again, and so forth.  So basically, you’re playing through their computers.  OnLive boasts that you will be able to play on the highest graphics, because their machines can take it.  For an HDTV, if you want 720p high definition, you’re going to need at least a 5Mbps connection, whereas at least a 1.5 Mbps connection is needed for standard definition.

There will most likely be a monthly service charged involved, and each game to buy will cost extra (although you can demo them to try them out, or rent them, if you prefer), but it sounds like it could be worth it, since you would not have to spend all your money on a gaming machine.  OnLive also promises online gameplay, as well as special features, such as replays.  The service is set to launch in Winter 2009, and this summer they will begin choosing for the open beta, so sign up now if you want to try it!

Interview #1

Interview#2

Behemoth’s Third Game

With the initial success of Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers, Behemoth games is not one to rest lightly on their laurels. Trailer below is from their new game, which bears no title but will satisfy lovers of epic opera music.

 

The Behemoth – Game #3 Trailer from The Behemoth on Vimeo.

 

Animated Cooperative Platformer…Niceeeeee

Minimalist Design: 4k Java games!

Found these while perusing some gaming stories over at Kotaku. It’s quite intriguing what people can make when they are given constraints instead of limitless possibilities. Below is Left 4k Dead, which is surprisingly a good rendition of it’s beefier and prettier cousin.

 

Java4k.com

Poll Time!

Review: Noby Noby Boy

Noby Noby Boy is a PlayStation Network game made by the same creator of the cult classic Katamari Damacy. You play as Boy, a multicolored, rubbery serpentine creation that can stretch across the environment. The gameplay consists of you moving around a rectangular patch of land sand eating anything you see. You can eat anything that fits into your mouth, and the more you eat the bigger your mouth gets. The only clear goal in Noby Noby Boy is stretching. When you stretch Boy to any length, the game records that distance and applies it something called Girl.

Girl is in space, and her ultimate wish is too bring peace to all other planets and stretching to them. Seriously…She can only do this with the help of Boy. Therefore, as Boy stretches, so does Girl. Luckily you’re not alone in this endeavor. As long as you are online, your length will be added cumulatively with all the other Noby Noby Boy owners to factor into how long Girl has stretched. As of writing this, Girl has just reached the Moon. Next step is Mars!

At $4.99, the Noby Noby Boy isn’t looking to break your wallet. The game definitely feels worthy of this price point, since its somewhat simple gameplay may turn off serious gamers. As a pure distractions, it fulfills its role greatly. If you liked the art style and obscene craziness of Katamari Damacy, Noby Noby Boy should be the next thing on your plate.

Boy and friends

Boy stretching

It’s Girl!