Game streaming service OnLive has announced that it has been acquired by Sony, and the company has also announced that it is shutting down its OnLive game service. This marks the end of an era for one of the pioneers in the game streaming industry, which had aimed to revolutionize the way we play video games.
OnLive has stated that they will be shutting down their game streaming service from the 30th of April 2015.
It is with great sadness that we must bring the OnLive Game Service to a close. Sony is acquiring important parts of OnLive, and their plans don’t include a continuation of the game service in its current form. Your service should continue uninterrupted until April 30, 2015. No further subscription fees will be charged, and you can continue to play all of your games until that date.
After April 30, 2015, our data centers will shut down and the service will be offline. All accounts will be closed, and all data deleted including game save data, achievements, and credit card data will be deleted. If you purchased a Steam game from OnLive, that game will still be available on Steam. No refunds will be available for any game purchases, hardware purchases, or subscriptions.
The Rise and Fall of OnLive
OnLive was launched in June 2010 with the ambitious goal of providing high-quality gaming experiences via cloud streaming. The service allowed users to play video games on various devices without the need for high-end hardware. This was a groundbreaking concept at the time, as it promised to make gaming more accessible to a broader audience.
Despite its innovative approach, OnLive faced numerous challenges. The service struggled with latency issues, which affected the gaming experience for many users. Additionally, the company faced stiff competition from traditional gaming consoles and emerging cloud gaming services. Financial difficulties also plagued OnLive, leading to a restructuring in 2012 where the company laid off a significant portion of its staff and sold its assets.
Sony’s Acquisition and Future Plans
Sony’s acquisition of OnLive is part of its broader strategy to enhance its own cloud gaming service, PlayStation Now. By acquiring OnLive’s technology and patents, Sony aims to improve the performance and capabilities of PlayStation Now, making it a more competitive offering in the cloud gaming market.
While OnLive’s game streaming service will be discontinued, the acquisition highlights the growing importance of cloud gaming in the industry. Sony’s investment in this technology indicates that the company sees significant potential in cloud gaming as a way to reach new audiences and provide more flexible gaming experiences.
For OnLive users, the shutdown of the service means that they will need to find alternative ways to access their favorite games. Fortunately, any Steam games purchased through OnLive will still be available on Steam, ensuring that players do not lose access to their game libraries. However, the loss of game save data, achievements, and other account information is a significant drawback for many users.
The closure of OnLive also serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties associated with emerging technologies. While OnLive’s vision was ahead of its time, the company faced numerous obstacles that ultimately led to its downfall. Nevertheless, OnLive’s legacy lives on through the advancements it brought to the gaming industry and the lessons learned from its journey.
You can find out more details about OnLive shutting down at the link below.
Source OnLive
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