Crytek boss Cevat Yerli has questioned the business model of Cloud gaming service OnLive, pointing to its lack of a "killer app" for launch.
Speaking in a CVG interview this week, Yerli said he had tested the service, but was uncertain about its "sustainability" in the current market.
However, Yerli did recognise the service as a "great first-mover" in the server-based gaming space.
"It also lacks the killer app. These kind of platforms need a game that is exclusive to the platform, that shows it off and can't be done on other platforms.
"If it just becomes a redistribution service that is low-cost and accessible from the client side I don't think that's enough. But for example, if it launched with Crysis as an exclusive OnLive title it could have been a great argument for OnLive.
"I think OnLive is a great first mover, but there's still a rocky road there."
Crytek's Crysis 2, which has been hit by piracy problems, will be released for PC, 360 and PS3 next month.
Comments
11 comments so far...
double tap on 16 Feb '11 said:
I have not tried onlive and do not want to. Cloud gaming is poo. I will always prefer to have the physical item that is mine and can not be removed or taken away by some corperate jack ass who is only interested profits and control of said product.
TheCrimsonFenix on 16 Feb '11 said:
The vast majority either think this is too early to be done well enough or just plain and simply don't want it. I'm both. I much rather prefer the physical thing.
Braintrust on 16 Feb '11 said:
If I recall an article last summer, EA pulled their titles from OnLive, along with Crysis (which was on the OnLive Beta) in favor of Gaikai, which has yet to launch 7 months after their original launch date. Speaking of corporate jackasses, DoubleTap, it seems like there are more than just one involved here.
Personally I like OnLive, it works perfect with a 12mb Uverse connection, and with all the giveaways, I have a nice collection of games and one of their Microconsoles, and I only spent $30. Win in my book.
ACCESSALLAREAS on 16 Feb '11 said:
I've tried Onlive and even though it's only been launched in the US they don't stop you trying it from the UK. Although it is quite laggy that will improve when it hits the UK and I am very impressed with the service. I agree that there's a sense of worry about loosing access to your games but I get sick of exclusive games that I can't play e.g Heavy Rain (only have a PC). I hope that they don't start charging a subscription, but It would be nice not thinking about when to upgrade or which console to buy.
craiglackenby on 16 Feb '11 said:
Cevat Yerli = 1st class, big headed, all talk no walk wanker.
Why don't this bitch back his bold claims up and release a PS3 demo then we'll see if it surpasses KZ2 like he said it did in alpha stage. I wouldn't even really play it as I've played the lackluster mp demo that was released on 360, I'd just compare the two versions.
On topic, I would really like to try this onlive because it's supposed to be good graphics like a super computer with all the trimmings.
double tap on 16 Feb '11 said:
All due respect mate you own none of the "nice collection of games" and they can all be taken away from you without you even being consulted (that is my understanding from what I have read, if I am wrong sorry). What if the company goes bust and shut down, who will stream it to you then. I would love to see someone try and take my collection away. Of course in my case they have to do it face to face and break the law as it would be called theft.
kimoak on 16 Feb '11 said:
I have had a go and I was rather impressed. You get the imput lag due to your connection.. but if you have a good speed connection it's less noticable. Also, in single player, that lag is not game killing at all. As for the graphics. Yup, they look great. They do have that steamed from TV look to them. Not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination though. Just remember it's like you are being streamed video, but you control it... which is kinda funy when you think about it
terra_nova_uk on 16 Feb '11 said:
Not intending to start a war... But...
I'm pretty certain consumer law in the UK would protect you the buyer if a company wanted to take your games collection off you, be it server based or physical. While technically they could. Legally they cannot as you have paid for the item, copyright issues not withstanding as with the Kindle case a while ago.
As for going bust, I know for a fact that OnLive in the UK is partnered with BT ergo the liability is shared across both entities. I don't see BT going bust for a while, I also can't imagine them not wanting to collect all that lovely extra subscription money they will make on the total broadband OnLive package. I imagine Onlive has similar arrangements in the US.
Finally, I have a large physical game collection that no one can take away. Of course Windows is now at Win 7 which wont play some of the older games (and some recent ones), and I refuse to keep each iteration of windows just to play all my games, so you could say Microsoft have removed my ability to play the game. Same goes for older consoles, can I get a replacement part for my Megadrive? Probably not, so there's more games I own that I can't play.
I think OnLive could be great, I worry about the network capacity in the UK to support it, but that's a different issue. And the point about the killer app is pretty valid, but I have zero concerns about losing out, at they very least ill be expecting a refund of any games that are taken off me if it comes to that, whether its from BT or OnLive, I care not.
double tap on 16 Feb '11 said:
You nearly changed my mind. Unfortunately (and I could be wrong on this) I really do not think consumer law has caught up with the advancements in technology and until it does it will be a grey area. This is one of the reasons why so many publishers and developers keep harping on about cloud gaming and not being tied to a console, so they have complete control over the IP that you or I have rented/purchased. I will always want a physical copy, I think most do. If you think cloud gaming is for you go get it but it will never be for me.
Jodmeister on 17 Feb '11 said:
I'm pretty sure in the small print of OnLive you don't own any game you are paying for the license to use it, and it will say there that it is OnLive's right to revoke any licenses giving sufficient notice.
The same applies to MS Live; sure you pay for your annual subscription but if MS decided to pull the plug that is their right to do so and you won't get anything back out of it.
As OnLive isn't in the UK this isn't of great interest yet, but I do (unfortunately) see this being the future in 10 years time, but I'd be interested in finding out how the connectivity is for more than one user on line at the same time in one house.
MrStillwater on 17 Feb '11 said:
I'm sorry but I think you've misunderstood how the service works - you don't own any of the games you play through On-live, you're only paying for access to play them. That means that On-live can remove games at any time, including all of them (and in fact they've already done this with some games I believe) and there's nothing you or the law can do about it as you have no ownership rights over them. Their TOS make this clear when you sign up - http://www.onlive.com/legal/termsofservice . To quote but one small part :
"OnLive or its affiliates, subsidiaries, licensors, or suppliers retain title to and ownership of everything on or used in connection with the Service...OnLive grants you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license under the IP Rights to use the Service in accordance with the Terms, for the duration of your membership and/or access to the Service".
There are numerous other parts that talk about removal of games without notice and users having no recourse. If your membership expires you lose access to all your games, and if the company goes bust your membership goes with it.
Oh, and with regards to BT being "partnered" with On-live, bear in mind that BT only owns a 2.6% share in On-live (http://www.btplc.com/Innovation/Innovat ... /index.htm) and that's nothing close to them having equal liability in the event that On-live goes bankrupt.