OnLive

OnLive is a cloud service that allows you to play almost any game, wherever you are.

The latest PC games can have seriously demanding hardware requirements, but with OnLive you’ll be able to stream the latest and greatest games right to your computer and get started in minutes – all you need is an internet connection.

Getting started is easy: just download and install the software, create an account and start browsing for games. The app offers multiple “levels” of games that can range from free trials, one to five day rentals and full versions of games that you can play for an unlimited amount of time as much as you like.

Controls for games work much like games you have installed on your local machine; use the standard WADS setup for keyboards or with your gamepad connected to your computer.

It’s important to note that while you’ll be able to play games in high quality even on older computers with this program, streaming quality is tied to your internet connection. For example, high speed cable connections will provide better quality versus DSL or spotty Wi-Fi connections. If you only have access via a low-speed or spotty connection, OnLive may not be the app for you.

All in all OnLive is a pretty easy and fast way to play games anywhere you go, even if you don’t have the best hardware installed on your PC. The service offers an ever-expanding catalog of new games, so it’s definitely worth checking out on a trial basis to see if you like it.

Pros

• Play Games Anywhere You Go If you travel often and can’t bring your gaming machine with you, OnLive gives you everything you need to stay in the game no matter where you go.
• Stop Spending Money on Hardware Modern GPUs start at $200-$300 and PC Magazine recommends that users upgrade their video hardware every 18 months. If you’re sick of upgrading but want to keep playing, give this service a try.

Cons

• Quality is Limited by Your Internet Connection Streaming video quality is directly tied to your internet speed, so if you’re on a spotty or slow connection this service won’t work well for you.