The other day, I watched this demo of Gaikai, a new service being spearheaded by the legendary games developer David Perry. The idea is a simple one: using a browser you can access everything from MMOs to racing games and even the memory-hog that is Photoshop with all the actual software installed on a remote server and accessed via the cloud. Now it seems like an awesome undertaking but I came out of it feeling really impressed. WoW and EVE were running at lightening speed and the prospect of not patching or updating got me a little excited. Now browser-based MMOs are now new. Just look at Free Realms and the plethora of free-to-play titles. But the idea of playing seriously intensive games like EVE? Wow, just wow. You still need some kind of graphics card in your computer but the cloud seems to do the vast majority of the work.
So readers, what do you think? You might well have used browser-centric MMOs in the past and their ease of use is encouraging. Would you play WoW on a browser if it could mimic your current setting or even improve on them? Would it make your life easier knowing that someone else was dealing with all the patches? On the other hand, cloud-based technology is still new and shiny, would you rather stick with actual discs or your own hard drive? Tell us, readers, and drop your thoughts in the box below.
Reader Comments (25)
Posted: Jul 5th 2009 4:13PM Haggs said
This is something that could be very helpful to me. The graphics card that came with my computer is not the best for high-end games. I can play City of Heroes just fine on one of the lower graphics settings, but there's no way I'll be able to play the new games I want to try (Champions and DCUO) and I can't afford a new computer or graphics card.
But it sounds like Gaikai will let me play whatever game I want to. I'll no longer have to the Can You Run It? website to see if my computer can handle a game I want to play. I can't wait!
But it sounds like Gaikai will let me play whatever game I want to. I'll no longer have to the Can You Run It? website to see if my computer can handle a game I want to play. I can't wait!
Posted: Jul 5th 2009 5:18PM MrDiamondJ said
This will never replace a gaming rig, but if it lets me play on the road using my crappy laptop then bring it on.
Posted: Jul 5th 2009 10:52PM (Unverified) said
I would never use this service as I feel 'cloud' services are throwback and privacy-destroying.
I wouldn't type my password into this thing let alone play my game on it.
I wouldn't type my password into this thing let alone play my game on it.
Posted: Jul 6th 2009 5:13AM (Unverified) said
So, how much will it cost?
This is the point, if we neglect Lag issues!
You need raw CPU and GPU power for these kind of games (Vanguard anyone?) How many people can be served by a GTX285?
In the end, you will pay more, believe me. Nobody in the industry want's you to pay less than before ;)
This is the point, if we neglect Lag issues!
You need raw CPU and GPU power for these kind of games (Vanguard anyone?) How many people can be served by a GTX285?
In the end, you will pay more, believe me. Nobody in the industry want's you to pay less than before ;)
Posted: Jul 8th 2009 12:27PM Daverator said
Very interesting, but also so many questions.
WoW for example, almost any wow player is going to run addons. Is the server just going to have almost every addon imaginable downloaded and you run thru the list and select and unselect which you want?
I simply don't see them allowing you to upload any type of files on their systems, as that equals an input, which can equal a hack or other problem, which can disable their entire system.
Performance and network usage also are obviously huge questions.
Last is cooperation from games. Blizzard runs the notoriously intrusive Warden program, and will know if you are running on this system or not. According to their TOS it is entirely at their will to decide if this is acceptable or not to them.
I would not be surprised to see companies disallow this service to their games, in order to launch a less-powerful, in-house simulator if it does become popular, and charge an extra $5 a month for it.
WoW for example, almost any wow player is going to run addons. Is the server just going to have almost every addon imaginable downloaded and you run thru the list and select and unselect which you want?
I simply don't see them allowing you to upload any type of files on their systems, as that equals an input, which can equal a hack or other problem, which can disable their entire system.
Performance and network usage also are obviously huge questions.
Last is cooperation from games. Blizzard runs the notoriously intrusive Warden program, and will know if you are running on this system or not. According to their TOS it is entirely at their will to decide if this is acceptable or not to them.
I would not be surprised to see companies disallow this service to their games, in order to launch a less-powerful, in-house simulator if it does become popular, and charge an extra $5 a month for it.







