OnLive and BT Launch OnLive in the UK
Video game streaming service OnLive finally launched in the United Kingdom today meaning gamers can now play their favourite games on their computer, tablet, or TV thanks to the wonders of streaming.
Gamers in the United States have been enjoying OnLive for over a year now. However, it's only this week that UK-based gamers can get in on the video game streaming action. OnLive launched today in collaboration with British Telecom with the two unveiling the service today at the 2011 Eurogamer Expo in London.
The pair revealed that as part of the partnership, BT broadband customers will get three months free access to 100+ PlayPack games through OnLive. OnLive also announced that it would be partnering with high street retailer GAME. The chain will introduce the service to its customers around the UK and, eventually, Europe. Further along the road, the OnLive Game System, OnLive Universal Wireless Controller and OnLive Game Service digital offerings will be extended through GAME's 615 UK stores and integrated with the brand's loyalty schemes, the GAME Reward Card and gamestation Elite card.
"OnLive is incredibly excited to bring instant-play, on-demand cloud gaming to the UK," said Steve Perlman, OnLive Founder and CEO. "OnLive is an entirely new way of experiencing top-tier video games, anywhere, anytime and on virtually any connected device, whether TV, PC, Mac or tablet, with awesome cloud-powered features and community unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. UK gamers, welcome to OnLive!"
OnLive players will have access to top-tier games such as Deus Ex: Human Revolution, DiRT 3, Homefront, F.E.A.R. 3, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4. New-release games can be purchased individually starting at £1.99, or members can sign up for OnLive’s 100+ game PlayPack Bundle program for just £6.99 a month. The 100+ PlayPack portfolio features recent multiplayer games like F.E.A.R. 3, Homefront and Borderlands as well as top classic and indie games like Batman: Arkham Asylum, Saints Row 2, Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition, and World of Goo.
OnLive membership is free over at onlive.co.uk and first-time OnLive purchasers can get their first OnLive PlayPass Game for just £1 (usually £39.99). BT broadband customers can get the aforementioned 100+ PlayPack Games for free for three months, in addition to the OnLive PlayPass £1 game offer. If you're lucky enough to be attending the Eurogamer Expo in London, you can snag yourself a free OnLive game system while stocks last.
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In one interview (I think it was on BBC Click) an OnLive exec who clearly didn't understand what he was saying responded to a question about how the quality of connection needed to run their service would be managed by saying words to the effect that they had guarantees from their partner ISP (BT in this case) that traffic for the OnliVe service would be prioritised over all other traffic!
So when the system goes live BT customers can and should expect their already below-par connection speeds to take yet another 'shaped' hit for the worse.
It must be so nice to know as a BT customer that regardless of how much you pay for your connection there will always be businesses out there that can trump you by coughing up some cash to pay BT to dismiss your needs in favour of their own.
It's also worth noting that transmissions resulting from use of the OnLive service WILL eventually be counted as part of a user's daily quota (although apparently it won't for now but will in the the new year)
It is also worth noting that BT have a 2.6% stake in OnLive so are undoubtedly happy to 'tweak' their network to make it work. Oh well, so much for net neutrality from the UK' largest ISP!