RIP OnLive cloud: Here’s your alternative gaming services
You may have already heard that OnLive, the cloud gaming service, will be going away by April 30, 2015. According to reports, Sony Corp. has acquired “important parts of OnLive,” which includes more than 140 patents, and has no plans of continuing the game service in its current form. OnLive’s patent and related technology will most likely be incorporated in PlayStation Now, Sony’s own streaming game service.
OnLive offered gamers a way to rent or demo games without having to install them on their computers, which gave gamers the freedom to try games without compromising device storage. The end of this promising cloud service is not entirely surprising. Aside from having a rocky past, the fact that big-name companies, like Sony, offer a similar service is not helpful to a company like OnLive.
So what other cloud gaming service can gamers choose from when OnLive finally goes offline?
In addition to the four alternatives listed below, SiliconANGLE has unearthed three more–GameFly, PlayStation Now and GameNow–after reading through this list go read about them here.
Alternatives to OnLive
G-cluster Global Corp. is a Finnish company that offers cloud gaming service using IPTV set-top boxes offered to operators so they can deploy white-label cloud gaming platforms that allow users to play across TV and mobile devices. G-cluster is able to turn the TV into a set-top-box-like piece of equipment with portable multi-platform cloud gaming on TVs, tablets and computers.
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This is a software-only game streaming service that allows players to enable Microsoft Windows-based games and application to be played remotely on other Windows and Linux devices. Aside from being able to stream games over a local network, StreamMyGame can also be used to record your games and share them with others.
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This service delivers gaming to Smart TVs targeting both consumers and service providers alike. For consumers, it offers globally known gaming brands to Smart TVs while offering service providers a fully turnkey interactive entertainment solution and competitive advantage that helps retain subscribers and grow their users. It is available for DISH Network and DIRECTV subscribers in North America. GameTree TV also features multi-screen support, allowing users to use their tablets and smartphones as an additional screen to play in or as remote controls.
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This platform offers cloud gaming that allows users to play high-end PC and console video games rendered on remote servers via Internet streaming. This allows players to instantly play games and applications from a webpage or Internet-connected device, such as smartphones and tablets, without having to download or install games. This platform also allows players to start gaming on one device, say their TV, and pick up where they left off using their smartphone or tablet. This also eliminates the risk of buying a game you end up hating, as you can try a game before purchasing it.
Be sure to check out SiliconANGLE‘s additional list of OnLive alternatives before you choose.
photo credit: OnLive – MicroConsole [3] via photopin (license)
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