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OnLive microconsole to be sold through Game in UK this month
OnLive's microconsole has booked passage over to The Old World and will be arriving at Game in time for the holidays. MCV reports that retailer Game gets initial dibs on selling the streaming device, with others to follow in 2012. The OnLive service launched in the UK back on September 22. "There's going to be a number of things we're doing," said OnLive CEO Steve Perlman. "Consumers will be able to play demos on Game's website, buy the OnLive game system in stores as well as top-up cards like XBLA and iTunes vouchers." OnLive subscription cards will also be sold in Game stores before year's end. Currently, OnLive has "millions" of users in the UK.
OnLive crosses the pond, lands in the UK September 22nd
OnLive's done pretty well here in the States, and we knew it would eventually venture across the ocean to merry old England. But, we didn't know exactly when it would bring its streaming services, MicroConsole and catalog of over 100 titles to the UK. Well, turns out it'll make the transatlantic trip on September 22nd, just in time for the 2011 Eurogamer Expo in London -- so there's just over a month to ready yourself for gaming-anywhere awesomeness. If you're among those interested in being the first of the Queen's subjects using the service that day, hit the source link below to sign up.
OnLive's Space Marine pre-order includes free MicroConsole and Darksiders
Yet again, OnLive and THQ have hooked up to give you a free MicroConsole. And, as avowed free stuff enthusiasts, we greet the mental image of a mighty mountain of MicroConsoles approvingly. The latest offer is for Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. If you pre-order the "Full PlayPass" of the streaming game between now and August 22, you'll get a free MicroConsole -- or, if (as is becoming ever more likely) you already have one, you can choose a free game instead (by pre-ordering by May 31). You'll also get $5 off the regular $50 price, and a free copy of Darksiders. We're sure any OnLive execs you meet would also personally hug you, though that bonus isn't explicitly documented.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution coming to OnLive, free MicroConsole and original Deus Ex with pre-order
OnLive has announced that the service will be offering the upcoming Deus Ex: Human Revolution as a streaming title day-and-date with the retail release, and users who pre-order the game will get all kinds of goodies. First, ponying up cash in advance for any flavor of the game will net a free copy of the original Deus Ex: Game of the Year for play via the service. Secondly, pre-ordering the Augmented Edition of the game (for $53.99 rather than the standard $44.99, and packing its own goodies) will get you an OnLive game system to play it on, free of charge. If you already have a MicroConsole, you can choose a free game. That's not a bad deal at all, especially if you were considering getting Human Revolution in the first place. The free game deal has to be redeemed by next Wednesday, May 25, but according to the fine print, the console deal is valid right up until Deus Ex: Human Revolution's release on August 23.
Pre-order Duke Nukem Forever, get free OnLive MicroConsole
We know that the Duke's been away for a good long while, but you can't say the guy doesn't feel guilty about it. He feels so bad, in fact, that for the simple task of pre-ordering his new game Duke Nukem Forever through the OnLive service, he'll reward you with a free MicroConsole (an almost $100 value). ...What's that? You say that they did something similar with Red Faction: Armageddon and this is more promotional stunt than heartfelt apology? Man, people were a lot more trusting in the 90s.
OnLive in-game voice chat now on and live
Voice chat was one of several upcoming features touted by OnLive during its panel for potential publishing partners at GDC. Its rollout wasn't dated at the time -- merely "by the end of the year" -- but it turns out there wasn't much of a wait at all; it's available now. By enabling the voice chat beta option in the OnLive client, users of the service can access two chat channels: one for in-game yacking (open mic), the other for talking with other players while spectating in the Arena (push to talk). Corded and USB microphones are supported on PC and Mac; the OnLive MicroConsole adds support for Bluetooth headsets and VR goggles. Okay, we were kidding about the goggles -- but you have to admit it'd be pretty cool.
OnLive offering free MicroConsole with Homefront game purchase
Considering nabbing a $99 OnLive Game System to connect your TV to the company's game streaming cloud? Here's another thought -- pre-order THQ's Homefront on OnLive instead for $50, and get a voucher for a free MicroConsole (and a free game) in the bargain. That's the deal OnLive announced the other day, which runs through March 14th, though the fine print says supplies are limited, shipping costs extra, and you won't actually receive the hardware until after the deal expires no matter when you pre-order the game. We're not sure what it says for OnLive's ongoing viability that the company finds itself having to give hardware away for less than half its worth, but we won't look a gift horse in the mouth!
OnLive giving away free MicroConsole, Metro 2033 with Homefront pre-orders
"This is a watershed event: It's the first time a game system has ever been given away with the purchase of a game." That's how OnLive CEO Steve Perlman describes his company's announcement that ("while supplies last") anyone who pre-orders THQ's Homefront via the cloud gaming service for $50 will receive its MicroConsole hardware and immediate access to another THQ title, Metro 2033, free of charge. In a blog post, John Spinale, OnLive's VP of games and media provided further details, confirming that Homefront will be available to users of the service on March 15 at midnight. He also noted that the console hardware, while "free," isn't free from sales tax or shipping charges. The promotion is running from today, February 25 through March 15. Spinale cheekily quipped that people should "get in on this before our Finance department finds out what we're doing!," but we sort of have to wonder if he's only joking a little. This is definitely the most gung-ho play for new users we've ever seen.
OnLive MicroConsole $66 through Jan. 9, 5.1 audio coming 'early 2011'
Saying it's to celebrate the news of the service being integrated into upcoming VIZIO products, OnLive is offering a CES 2011-centric discount on its MicroConsole hardware through the duration of the show. Up until 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, January 9, you'll be able to order the hardware -- which includes a voucher good for the game of your choice -- for $66, plus shipping, directly from OnLive. Company CEO Steve Perlman also announced in his blog post that SRS 5.1 audio will be coming to the cloud gaming platform (on the MicroConsole, PC and Mac) as an update in "early 2011," as will promised 3D support. Now, in what we hope doesn't become customary fashion, we'll say: That's great, but how about some more games?
OnLive Game System review
We're still a little ways away from completely disposable laptops that do everything in the cloud, but if all you want is a completely virtual game console connected to your TV, you can buy one right now. Eight years after the Phantom slowly got laughed off the face of the planet, the OnLive MicroConsole fulfills the same basic promise: it's a box less than an inch tall that streams games from powerful remote servers. We already told you what to expect from the OnLive's Game System, but now that we've given it our all, we can help you find the answer to the only remaining question: is it worth your funds? %Gallery-107700%
OnLive ushers in the MicroConsole with all-you-can-eat game plan for $10 a month
OnLive wants to be the Netflix of video games, that much is clear, and today it's rolling out a flat-rate monthly pricing plan called PlayPack to help seal the deal. It'll cost $9.99 a month when it launches January 15th, giving subscribers access to a back catalog of forty retired and indie titles, including a number of games entirely new to the OnLive service. What's more, if you bought the company's $99 MicroConsole, you'll get access to that entire flat-rate catalog free until the formal launch, meaning you'll have fourteen full games instantly ready to play the moment you boot it up. OnLive founder Steve Perlman tells us you can pay month-to-month and cancel PlayPack anytime you want, and OnLive will still store your savegames for a full year in case you decide to rejoin -- or if you want to mix and match flat-rate and a la carte titles without losing your precious progress. So, when are those MicroConsoles going to arrive? If you were among the first to buy, you could get yours this very afternoon, and Perlman says there are "thousands and thousands of boxes" shipping right now. PR after the break.
OnLive 'Founding Members' who bought two games receiving free MicroConsole
OnLive still has a public perception hill to climb, but the company is rewarding its Founding Members, the people who took the risk on the cloud gaming service, with some goodies. In a post today on the service's blog, CEO Steve Perlman wrote that those who bought a PlayPass for one game will receive a promo code for another game, up to $50. Everyone who purchased two games will receive a voucher for a free OnLive MicroConsole. This includes "rental" PlayPasses as well, not just the unlimited "Full PlayPasses," as long as they were purchased before midnight last night. The first batch of MicroConsoles ship out on December 2 and Founding Member pre-orders will move to the front of the line for delivery. The company's service has certainly impressed us, and with its future plans, along with the introduction of some flat-rate gaming, the whole cloud-centric concept is starting to seem decidedly solid.%Gallery-107697%
OnLive MicroConsole official at $99, we go hands-on and bombard you with details
Everybody's favorite instant streaming video game service just came into its own: OnLive is launching the MicroConsole right now, a tiny box that turns your Speedy Gonzales internet connection into a virtual game console. Sure, the company's cloud computing service already lets you do the same from any old netbook -- that's kind of the point -- but the $99 OnLive Game System gives you the leanback HDTV experience complete with a custom wireless gamepad, and (assuming you use HDMI) it'll come with all the wires too when it ships December 2nd. We sat down with OnLive VP of Engineering Joe Bentley to get a handle on the hardware within, and learn about the budding ecosystem you'll be dealing with if you buy in. See what the long-awaited system looks like below, and get the full scoop after the break! %Gallery-107700%
OnLive MicroConsole review: The hardware and experience
While we've been using the OnLive service since it debuted for PC and Mac this past June -- whose client we've already put through its paces -- for the past 10 days I've been gaming on the OnLive MicroConsole (the "TV Adapter," as it is also referred to by the company). Now that the pricing and release date have been announced I can finally share with you, dear Readers, my experience with this teeny-tiny (truly micro!) console. Read on for the full review, and check out some photos I took of the final hardware in the gallery below.%Gallery-107697%
OnLive MicroConsole available for pre-order, launches Dec. 2 for $99
First shown at E3 2009, the OnLive MicroConsole -- the "cloud gaming" company's pocket-sized means of streaming games to HDTVs -- is finally in production and will begin shipping on December 2 directly from OnLive. Pre-orders are being taken via its site as of ... right now. $99 gets you the MicroConsole, one wireless controller and a voucher redeemable for one free game from the service's library. The first major advertising push for OnLive is going to hit the airwaves in the run-up to the early December launch. Company CEO Steve Perlman told Joystiq during a recent Q&A -- the highlights of which we'll be posting later today -- that the console will be available exclusively from OnLive's site until sometime next year and is, for now, offered in "limited quantities." We have a review of the hardware coming right up.%Gallery-107655%
OnLive MicroConsole TV Adapter clears FCC with ZigBee surprise
Well, well, look at what we've got here. It's the promised OnLive MicroConsole TV adapter courtesy of the FCC. The MicroConsole itself, isn't a surprise -- the little box that replaces the PC or Mac and brings the streaming game service to the living room TV courtesy of an HDMI-out jack was first announced back in March with plans for a late 2010 retail delivery. What is a surprise is the discovery of an FCC test report for ZigBee 802.15.4 in addition to Bluetooth. The ZigBee mesh networking standard is most often targeted at RF applications requiring a low data rate like lighting, sensor, and power socket control nodes in home automation networks. So why the hell would OnLive be dabbling in ZigBee? OnLive's site says that the MicroConsole uses Bluetooth to connect multiple wireless headsets. So maybe ZigBee is for the four wireless controllers (something we've seen before) the MicroConsole supports. We can't say for sure, but a quick search of ZigBee's product certification database turns up an ETRI VoZ (Voice over ZigBee) prototype capable of facilitating a ZigBee headset, microphone, and speaker. Perhaps OnLive is just doing some future proofing here or maybe they've got plans for some ZigBee enhanced gameplay. Unfortunately, the FCC test unit is listed as a pre-production "Pre-DV Sample" meaning it could still be awhile before the MicroConsole launches. FCC wireframe and label pictured after the break.
