OnLive Console Free by Pre-Ordering Homefront
OnLive customers who pre-order Homefront will get a free game system and a "copy" of Metro 2033.
OnLive is currently running a special pre-order promotion for Homefront, THQ's upcoming first-person shooter developed by Kaos Studios. Customers who pre-order the game will receive a free Full PlayPass for Metro 2033 and the company's stand-alone OnLive Game System, also free.
"Purchase a Full PlayPass for 'Homefront' between February 25, 2011 (2:00 PM PST) and March 14, 2011 (11:59PM PDT) and receive a promo code for a Full PlayPass to 'Metro 2033' shortly after purchase," reads the fine print. "A limited number of OnLive subscribers will also receive an email after March 14, 2011 (11:59PM PDT) containing a promo code for a FREE OnLive Game System."
Although the $99 "console" will be free, consumers will still be responsible for shipping, handling and tax. The free offer will only be valid through the Homefront pre-order promotion and while supplies last. Promo codes for Metro 2033 and the free OnLive Game System must be redeemed by March 31, 2011 (11:59PM PDT), the company said.
For the uninitiated, OnLive is a streaming service for PC games, allowing customers to play high-end titles on most PC configurations. The minimum and recommended PC and Mac specifications are as follows:
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Internet Connection: 3 Mbps wired or Wi-Fi connection
Operating System: Windows 7 or Vista (32 or 64-bit) or XP SP3 (32-bit), Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later
Computer: Most PCs and netbooks, all Intel-based Macs
Screen Resolution: 1024 x 576
RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Internet Connection: 5 Mbps wired or Wi-Fi connection
Operating System: Windows 7 or Vista (32 or 64-bit) or XP SP3 (32-bit)
Mac OS X 10.6 or later
Computer: Dual-core PCs, all Intel-based Macs
Screen Resolution: 1280 x 720
Naturally customers won't need to meet these requirements if using the stand-alone OnLive console. An HDTV with an HDMI connection is suggested, but users can also connect using analog video and analog stereo audio using an optional OnLive Component Video Adapter.
To pre-order Homefront, new consumers will need to create an account and install the OnLive client. Existing users can simply load up the OnLive client and enter the Marketplace. The game will be available on March 15, 2011 and cost $49.99 (aka Full Pass, meaning it's yours and you won't need to pay monthly access fees). The Full PlayPass cost of Metro 2033 is $39.99, making this Homefront promotion a good deal.
"A limited number of OnLive subcribers..."
How limited? And you if you're not one of the lucky ones the rest of the fine print tells you that you have no recourse and are not entitled to a refund.
The proper term for this is "lottery."
PASS
I don't think I could bring myself to do it myself.
But then I never thought I'd own a console either.
Anyway just curions if lag is as bad advertized.
In 1901 automobiles were a sorry sight but only incredibly stupid and shortsighted people failed to see the potential, just like the potential in streaming games.
Here's an example of what's happening in Canada.
http://stopthecap.com/category/providers/bell-canada/
Well while I tried OnLive in the US I live in Europe (the crappiest part of Europe) and I have 8mbps unmetered for like $20 a month. So sorry to learn that you guys have caps on how much you download, maybe you should do something about it. Download caps in 2011, really??
Then Steam account holders will still be able to do the same as Onlive but with the backing of all the studios and publishers and Onlive will crumble to dust.
Don't believe me? Watch this space.
For some very casual gamers who spend most of their money on a beefy internet connection, onlive might be a good way to go but for the rest of us (the large, large majority of us) its best just to stick to our own personal hardware that we can control.
Having a game locally would always be better quality than having to stream it, it will never fully replace the experience for dedicated gamers. OnLive is more for people who aren't dedicated enough to buy/build a real PC.
These prices aren't what I'd call low though, I shouldn't have to pay retail price for a digital copy. And the deceptive marketing is not going to win them fans. In large print it states factually that you buy the game and you get the system, with no asterisk to call attention to the fine print. It also states a "limited quantity" encouraging people to hurry and buy it without reading further. Once you read the fine print you find out you might be selected to get the system after the game comes out, preventing you from canceling it if you don't get the free system. Usually when a sweepstakes doesn't state the exact numbers of items that they're giving out, it means they aren't giving out many. Adding further insult is the fact that the offer ends on the 31st of March, giving you two weeks to redeem the offer before it expires.
Streaming gaming might take off someday, but OnLive seems to be just out to make a quick buck, so all they're doing is hurting the concept. They benefit more from giving away the free systems but i suppose it's more important to sell a 99 dollar console than to sell games at 50 dollars a piece.
There is a free trial. You can download and try OnLive for free if you create a free account. I find lot of lag in the game, kinda like input delay. Some people say they can't stand the lag, and there are some people who say they don't feel any lag. I say try it out for yourself.
i bought it and i recived Metro 2033 code instantly, am i using the service? No, i play on my consoles and PC, but i'll use it at work, just to kill the time.
I cen feel the lag, in racing games and in shooters, but i'm a freak when it comes to those things
Of course but the customers are so price sensitive that it won't matter. That's why they fly low cost airlines, that's why Wii almost outsold PS3 and XBOX360 combined.
And I'm puzzled by people who think internet connections won't advance along with the rest of technology. In places like South Korea internet connections are already so good that you probably wouldn't notice the difference between streamed games and those rendered locally.
I wish I could pay to get a Premium account that would give me maxed out setting for all games and get HD Resolutions.
Unless Steam were to fail within 4-5 years for some reason, then it would be around the same expectancy as OnLive.
You never know exactly what will happen, OnLive could succeed or fail just like Steam could continue or fail.