OnLive

OnLive was a provider of cloud virtualization technologies based in Mountain View, California. OnLive's flagship product was its cloud gaming service, which allowed subscribers to rent or demo computer games without installing them. Games were delivered as streaming video rendered by the service's servers, rather than running on the local device. This setup allowed the games to run on computers and devices that would normally be unable to run them due to insufficient hardware. OnLive also enabled other features such as the ability for players to record game-play and to spectate. The service was available through clients for personal computers and mobile devices, as well as through smart TVs and a dedicated video game console-styled device known as the OnLive Game System. OnLive also expanded into the cloud desktop market with a sister product, OnLive Desktop—a subscription service offering a cloud-based instance of Windows Server 2008 R2 accessible via tablets. The OnLive service received a mixed reception. Reviewers noted that the video quality and amount of input lag depended on the Internet connection and varied on a game-by-game basis. Games featuring fast movement or requiring fast reactions could be frustrating to play. On the other hand, the service received accolades for its built-in spectator mode and its ability to trial games without installing them. Sony Computer Entertainment (now known as Sony Interactive Entertainment) acquired OnLive's patents in April 2015, and all OnLive services were discontinued that month. Sony operated PlayStation Now, a similar service built using the infrastructure of Gaikai, a former competitor to OnLive, until it was merged with PS Plus in 2022.