OnLive#Service

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File:OnLive Menu Screen.jpg

The game service was available via the OnLive Game System and a number of different device categories:

• Windows PCs: PCs running Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
• Apple Macintosh: Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
• Smartphones: Android smartphones running Android 3.2 or later.
• Tablets: Android tablets running Android 3.2 or later. The OnLive Android player app was released to the Android Market on December 7, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://onlivefans.com/news/onlive-brings-console-class-games-to-tablets-phones-gives-away-a-free-game/5620/|title=OnLive Brings Console-Class Games to Tablets & Phones: Gives Away a FREE Game|last=Krassenstein|first=Ed|date=2011-12-07|website=OnLiveFans.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109143321/http://onlivefans.com/news/onlive-brings-console-class-games-to-tablets-phones-gives-away-a-free-game/5620/|archive-date=2012-01-09|url-status=usurped|access-date=2011-12-10}}
• Gaming-centric tablet devices: Wikipad,{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/324736/wikipad-onlive-team-up-for-mobile-gaming|title=Wikipad, OnLive Team Up for Mobile Gaming|last=Mlot|first=Stephanie|date=June 18, 2014|website=PC Magazine|access-date=January 19, 2015}} Nvidia Shield, Nvidia Shield Tablet.
• Android TV: OnLive announced that the OnLive Game Service will be pre-installed on Philips' new line of Android-based smart TVs.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/television/a619370/android-to-power-all-2015-philips-smart-tvs-from-tp-vision/#~p1WJgKZz5uVXOw|title=Android to power all 2015 Philips Smart TVs from TP Vision|last=Langshaw|first=Mark|date=January 5, 2015|website=Digital Spy|access-date=January 19, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/09/02/onlive-brings-cloud-games-to-new-philips-branded-android-tvs-in-europe/|title=OnLive brings cloud games to new Philips-branded Android TVs in Europe|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=September 2, 2014|website=VentureBeat|access-date=January 19, 2015}} OnLive is also compatible with various Android set-top boxes for TVs (MadCatz M.O.J.O.).{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/05/onlive-game-streaming-comes-to-mad-catz-mojo-micro-console|title=OnLive Game Streaming Comes To Mad Catz' MOJO Micro-Console|last=Rubio|first=Justin|date=June 5, 2014|website=IGN|access-date=January 19, 2015}}
• Connected TVs: OnLive announced that the OnLive Game Service will be integrated into new VIZIO VIA Plus TVs along with LG TVs and GoogleTV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/07/onlive-multiview-on-an-lg-google-tv-eyes-on-video/|title=OnLive Multiview on an LG Google TV, eyes-on (video)|last=Heater|first=Brian|date=2012-06-07|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=2019-05-08}}
• Internet connected media players: Amazon's Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, VIZIO Co-Star, and VIZIO's line of VIA Blu-ray players.{{cite web|url=http://blog.onlive.com/2011/01/04/onlive-everywhere-hdtvs-blu-ray-players-tablets-and-phones%E2%80%94and-a-sale-to-celebrate/|title=OnLive Everywhere: HDTVs, Blu-ray Players, Tablets and Phones—and a Sale to Celebrate|last=Perlman|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Perlman (entrepreneur)|date=January 4, 2011|website=OnLive Blog|publisher=OnLive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819183151/http://blog.onlive.com/2011/01/04/onlive-everywhere-hdtvs-blu-ray-players-tablets-and-phones%E2%80%94and-a-sale-to-celebrate/|archive-date=August 19, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=January 5, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/vizio-co-star-player-marries-google-tv-onlive-cloud-gaming/|title=Vizio Co-Star player marries Google TV, OnLive cloud gaming|last=Goldman|first=Joshua|date=June 26, 2012|website=CNET News|publisher=CNET|access-date=January 22, 2015}}

A web browser based demo service was also available for Windows PCs and Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later enabling trials of games to be played without the need to download the OnLive Client.

Network requirements:

• The service required a 2 Mbit/s Internet connection (5 Mbit/s or higher recommended) with low latency.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlive.com/support/performance |title=OnLive Technical FAQ |publisher=OnLive |access-date=2010-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124105842/http://www.onlive.com/support/performance |archive-date=January 24, 2012 }}
• OnLive initially required a wired connection. On September 15, 2010 beta Wi-Fi support was made available to all members.{{cite web|url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/09/15/onlive-wi-fi-hits-the-airwaves|title=OnLive Wi-Fi Hits the Airwaves|last=Perlman|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Perlman (entrepreneur)|date=September 15, 2010|website=OnLive Blog|publisher=OnLive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902213341/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/09/15/onlive-wi-fi-hits-the-airwaves|archive-date=September 2, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=September 17, 2010}}

The OnLive Game System consisted of an OnLive Wireless Controller and a console, called the "MicroConsole TV Adapter",{{cite web|url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/11/17/introducing-the-onlive-game-system/|title=Introducing the OnLive Game System|last=Perlman|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Perlman (entrepreneur)|date=November 17, 2010|website=OnLive Blog|publisher=OnLive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423100551/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/11/17/introducing-the-onlive-game-system/|archive-date=April 23, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=November 17, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-rearden-studios-introduces-onlive-game-service-and-micro/|title=GDC09: Rearden Studios introduces OnLive game service and 'microconsole'|last=Kelly|first=Kevin|date=2009-03-24|website=Joystiq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407075816/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-rearden-studios-introduces-onlive-game-service-and-micro/|archive-date=2010-04-07|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-03-25}}{{cite web|url=http://www.onlive.com/service/microconsole/ |title=MicroConsole TV Adapter |publisher=OnLive |access-date=2010-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014213500/http://www.onlive.com/service/microconsole/ |archive-date=October 14, 2010 }} that could be connected to a television and directly to the OnLive service, so it was possible to use the service without a computer. It came with the accessories needed to connect the equipment, and composite video users could purchase an additional optional cable.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/onlive-microconsole-official-at-99-we-go-hands-on/|title=OnLive MicroConsole official at $99, we go hands-on and bombard you with details|last=Hollister|first=Sean|date=November 18, 2010|website=Engadget|access-date=November 18, 2010}} The MicroConsole supported up to four wireless controllers and multiple Bluetooth headsets. It also had two USB ports for game controllers, keyboards, mice, and USB hubs. For video and audio output it provided component, HDMI, TOSLINK ports, and an analog stereo minijack. An Ethernet port was used for network access, which was required to access the OnLive service. Pre-orders for the OnLive Game System began to be taken on November 17, 2010.

File:OnLive controller.jpg

File:OnLive MicroConsole TV Adapter top.jpg

File:OnLive MicroConsole TV Adapter end 1.jpg

File:OnLive MicroConsole TV Adapter end 2.jpg

OnLive confirmed the details of its PlayPack flat-rate payment plan on December 2, 2010. With this option players pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to "recent, classic and indie titles" in the OnLive library, which includes new releases.{{cite web|url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/12/02/onlive-playpack-all-you-can-game-for-9-99month/|title=OnLive PlayPack: All-You-Can-Game for $9.99/month|last=Spinale|first=John|date=2010-12-02|website=OnLive Blog|publisher=OnLive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812155636/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/12/02/onlive-playpack-all-you-can-game-for-9-99month/|archive-date=2011-08-12|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/257641/onlive-unveils-flat-rate-10-monthly-gaming-plan|title=OnLive Unveils Flat-Rate $10 Monthly Gaming Plan|last=Albanesius|first=Chloe|date=December 2, 2010|work=PC Magazine}} PlayPack subscribers also receive a 30% off discount toward purchase of OnLive merchandise excluding PlayPack membership fees. This discount can be applied to sale items, OnLive wireless controllers, and the OnLive Game System.{{Cite web|url=http://onlivefans.com/news/best-deal-in-video-games-onlive-playpack-members-now-get-30-off-any-item/1988/|title=Best Deal in Video Games? OnLive PlayPack Members Now Get 30% Off Any Item|last=Krassenstein|first=Ed|date=2011-08-05|website=OnLiveFans|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530134211/http://onlivefans.com/news/best-deal-in-video-games-onlive-playpack-members-now-get-30-off-any-item/1988/|archive-date=2012-05-30|url-status=usurped|access-date=2019-05-08}}

On January 10, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, OnLive announced "OnLive Desktop". OnLive Desktop used desktop virtualization technology to create a remotely hosted Windows Server 2008 desktop environment.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-11 |title=OnLive Desktop changes OS to Windows Server 2008 |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/48135-onlive-desktop-changes-os-to-windows-server2008.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=TechSpot |language=en-US}}

On March 12, 2012, Microsoft told OnLive that its OnLive Desktop service was a violation of the Windows 7 license agreement, and threatened legal action, contending that the license agreement did not permit the use of Windows 7 as a hosted client, nor for Office to be provided as a service on Windows 7 since this would be only allowed using Windows Server and Terminal Services.{{cite web|url=http://windowsitpro.com/windows/microsoft-takes-onlive-task-offering-free-windows-office-ipad-users|title=Microsoft Takes OnLive to Task For Offering Free Windows, Office to iPad users|last=Thurott|first=Paul|date=2012-03-12|website=IT Pro|publisher=Penton Media|access-date=2012-03-12}} On April 7, 2012, it was discovered that the OnLive Desktop Service had changed and had begun to use Windows Server 2008, bringing it into license compliance.

In the U.S., OnLive was hosted in five co-located North American data centers. There were facilities in Santa Clara, California and Virginia, with additional facilities in Dallas, Texas, as well as Illinois, and Georgia.[http://www.gamespot.com/news/6251495.html OnLive datacenter locations from Steve Perlman interview.]{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/gdc09-interview-onlive-founder-steve-perlman-wants-you-to-be-sk|title=GDC09 interview: OnLive founder Steve Perlman wants you to be skeptical|publisher=Joystiq}} OnLive stated that users must be located within {{convert|1000|mi|km}} of one of these to receive high-quality service.{{cite web |url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/01/21/beta-testing-at-the-speed-of-light/ |title=Beta Testing at the Speed of Light |publisher=OnLive |date=2010-01-21 |access-date=2010-01-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125174142/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/01/21/beta-testing-at-the-speed-of-light/ |archive-date=2010-01-25 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/97182-OnLive-Fully-Detailed-in-Columbia-University-Presentation |title=OnLive Fully Detailed in Columbia University Presentation |publisher=The Escapist |date=2009-12-30 |access-date=2010-01-23}}

The hardware used was a custom setup consisting of OnLive's proprietary video compression chip as well as standard PC CPU and GPU chips. For older, or lower-performance, games such as Lego Batman, multiple instances could be played on each server using virtualization technology. High-end games such as Assassin's Creed II required one GPU per game. Two video streams are created for each game. One (the live stream) is optimized for game-play and real-world Internet conditions, while the other (the media stream) was a full HD stream that was server-side and used for spectators or for gamers to record videos of their game-play.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/gdc09-interview-onlive-founder-steve-perlman-continued/ |title=Joystiq: GDC09 interview: OnLive founder Steve Perlman, continued|date=2009-04-02|access-date=2011-10-22|publisher=AOL|work=Joystiq}}

The service was launched in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2011 in partnership with British Telecom as a bundled service with their broadband packages.{{cite web|url=http://www.thinq.co.uk/news/2010/5/13/bt-gets-exclusive-rights-to-onlive-in-uk/|title=BT gets exclusive rights to OnLive in UK|date=2010-05-13|access-date=2010-05-13|publisher=Thinq.co.uk}} The company planned to make its service available in the rest of Europe as well.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090928071151/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1556341/onlive-spell-trouble-pc-makers Onlive could spell trouble for pc makers- The Inquirer]

OnLive was announced at the Game Developers Conference in 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/24/gdc-09-onlive-introduces-the-future-of-gaming|title=IGN: GDC 09: OnLive Introduces The Future of Gaming|last=Roper|first=Chris|date=2009-03-24|website=IGN|access-date=2009-03-25}} The service was originally planned for release in the winter of 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlive.com/service/faq.html |title=FAQ |publisher=OnLive |access-date=2009-03-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127090944/http://www.onlive.com/service/faq.html |archive-date=January 27, 2010 }}{{cite web|last=Roper |first=Chris |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/965/965535p2.html |title=IGN: GDC 09: OnLive Introduces The Future of Gaming |date=24 March 2009 |publisher=Uk.pc.ign.com |access-date=2009-03-25}} OnLive's original investors include Warner Bros., Autodesk and Maverick Capital. A later round of financing included AT&T Media Holdings, Inc. and Lauder Partners as well as the original investors.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/09/29/onlive-raises-series-c-round-from-att-warner-bros-and-others/ |title=OnLive Raises Series C Round from AT&T, Warner Bros. and Others |publisher=www.techcrunch.com |access-date=2009-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201003855/http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/09/29/onlive-raises-series-c-round-from-att-warner-bros-and-others/ |archive-date=February 1, 2010 }} In May 2010, it was announced that British Telecom and Belgacom invested in and partnered with OnLive.{{cite web |url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/05/13/onlive-coming-to-europe/ |title=OnLive Coming to the UK |publisher=OnLive |date=2010-05-13 |access-date=2010-08-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807194348/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/05/13/onlive-coming-to-europe/ |archive-date=2010-08-07 }}{{cite web |url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/05/16/onlive-coming-to-belgium/ |title=OnLive Coming to Belgium |publisher=OnLive |date=2010-05-16 |access-date=2010-08-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522214055/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/05/16/onlive-coming-to-belgium/ |archive-date=2010-05-22 }}

On March 10, 2010, OnLive announced the OnLive Game Service would launch on June 17, 2010, in the US, and the monthly service fee would be US$14.95.{{cite web |last=Perlman |first=Steve |url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/03/10/onlive-coming-to-a-screen-near-you/ |title=OnLive: Coming to a Screen Near You |publisher=OnLive.com |date=2010-03-10 |access-date=2010-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312043136/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/03/10/onlive-coming-to-a-screen-near-you/ |archive-date=2010-03-12 }} At launch the membership option available was through AT&T's Founding Members promotion, which provides the service for free for the first year and US$4.95 per month for the optional following year.{{cite web |url=http://www.onlive.com/support/account |title=OnLive Account FAQ |publisher=OnLive |access-date=2010-07-17 |archive-date=2010-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723005915/http://www.onlive.com/support/account |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.onlive.com/signup |title=ONLIVE FOUNDING MEMBERS PROGRAM WAITING LIST SIGNUP |publisher=OnLive |access-date=2010-08-13}} On October 4, 2010, OnLive announced that there would no longer be any subscription fees for the service.{{cite web |url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/10/04/onlive-just-play-for-free/ |title=OnLive: Just Play for Free! |publisher=OnLive |access-date=2010-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006191530/http://blog.onlive.com/2010/10/04/onlive-just-play-for-free/ |archive-date=2010-10-06 }} On March 11, 2010, OnLive CEO Steve Perlman announced the OnLive Game Portal, a free way to access OnLive games for rental and demos, but without the social features of the Game Service. It was stated that it would roll out later in 2010 after the OnLive Game Service launch.{{cite web|last=Perlman |first=Steve |url=http://blog.onlive.com/2010/03/11/more-news-from-onlive/ |title=OnLive: More News from OnLive! |publisher=OnLive.com |date= 2010-03-10|access-date=2010-04-06}} The OnLive Game Service was launched in the United States on June 17, 2010.{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Rich |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20010687-1.html|title=Interview: OnLive CEO Steve Perlman gives us his post-launch perspective |publisher=CNET News|date=2010-07-15|access-date=2010-08-06}} Shortly afterwards, on December 10 Onlive was awarded a patent for cloud gaming The US Patent Office.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlive.com/corporate/press_releases/onlive_announces_fundamental-cloud_gaming_patent |title=OnLive Awarded Fundamental Cloud Gaming Patent |author=OnLive |date=December 14, 2010 |work=OnLive Press Releases |publisher=OnLive |access-date=January 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526010222/http://www.onlive.com/corporate/press_releases/onlive_announces_fundamental-cloud_gaming_patent |archive-date=May 26, 2012 }} The service was launched in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlive.com/corporate/press_releases/951/print |title=OnLive On-Demand Cloud Gaming Launches in UK Today |date=22 September 2011 |publisher=OnLive |access-date=24 September 2011 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015161307/http://www.onlive.com/corporate/press_releases/951/print |archive-date=October 15, 2012 }} On January 10 at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, OnLive announced "OnLive Desktop". OnLive Desktop used virtualization technology to create a remotely hosted Windows 7 desktop.

On August 17, 2012 the company laid off all of its employees.{{cite web|last=Caoili|first=Eric|title=OnLive lays off all employees, assets sold to new company|date=17 August 2012|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/onlive-lays-off-all-employees-assets-sold-to-new-company|publisher=Gamasutra}} OnLive entered into a proceeding known as an "Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors", wherein OnLive shareholders lost their stakes in the company.[http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_21351760/game-company-onlive-reveals-new-details-restructuring?source=rss Game company OnLive reveals new details of restructuring - San Jose Mercury News]. Mercurynews.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23. OnLive then sold off its assets and started a new company, also called OnLive.Miller, Matthew. (2012-08-20) [https://www.zdnet.com/article/onlive-sells-assets-to-onlive-leaves-htc-and-other-investors-out-to-dry/ OnLive sells assets to OnLive, leaves HTC and other investors out to dry]. ZDNet. Retrieved on 2013-08-23. On August 20, 2012 the company officially revealed Lauder Partners as the buyer.{{cite news |first=Radford |last=Castro |url=http://www.lazytechguys.com/news/business/onlive-acquired-by-lauder-partners-affiliate-restructures-company/ |title=Source: OnLive Acquired By Lauder Partners Affiliate, Restructures Company |publisher=LTG |date=2012-08-20 |access-date=2012-08-20}} On August 27, 2012, founder Steve Perlman stepped down as CEO, Gary Lauder became Chairman, and Charlie Jablonski, former VP of Operations, was appointed COO and acting CEO.[http://www.siliconbeat.com/2012/08/28/onlives-perlman-explains-departure/ OnLive's Perlman explains departure]. SiliconBeat (2012-08-29). Retrieved on 2013-08-23. It was revealed in October of that year that OnLive was sold for only $4.8 million. For a company that analysts once estimated was worth approximately $1.8 billion, there was some surprise at the low figure for which the company was sold. Some analysts speculated that the true value of the patents held by the company was potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but that the firm's poor bargaining position led to the cheap sale.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19896362 | work = BBC News | title = OnLive's video gaming tech was sold for less than $5m | publisher = BBC | date = 2012-10-10 | access-date = 2015-04-03 }}

In March 2014 the company hired a new CEO, Mark Jung and released a new gaming service, CloudLift.{{cite web | url = https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/05/onlive-brings-on-new-executive-chairman-and-launches-new-cloud-gaming-features/ | title = OnLive Brings On New Executive Chairman And Launches New Cloud Gaming Features | work = TechCrunch | date = Mar 5, 2014 | author = Matt Burns }} Cloudlift links to selected titles in a player's game library and allows the player resume game-play on another device.

On April 3, 2015, OnLive announced it had sold most of its assets to Sony Computer Entertainment and would be shutting down all services on April 30, 2015.{{cite web |url=https://games.onlive.com/farewell/games |title=OnLive Games |access-date=2015-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407010959/http://games.onlive.com/farewell/games |archive-date=2015-04-07 }}

Soon after the company's announcement at GDC 2009, there was skepticism expressed by game journalists. They were concerned about how the OnLive service might work and what the quality of the service might be. Both in terms of the hardware required in OnLive server centers to render and compress the video, as well as the impact of commercial Internet broadband connections on its delivery. During GDC 2009, which was held in San Francisco, the OnLive service was {{convert|50|mi|km}} from its Santa Clara data center. The closed beta had "hundreds of users on the system".[http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/gdc09-interview-onlive-founder-steve-perlman-page-2/ Joystiq: GDC09 interview: OnLive founder Steve Perlman (page 2)] Near E3 in 2009, which is approximately {{convert|350|mi|km}} away from their data center, OnLive demonstrated their service performed well with a consumer cable modem and Internet connection.{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Kevin | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-online-and-live-with-onlive | title=Impressions: online and live with OnLive [update] | publisher=www.joystiq.com | date=2009-06-03 | access-date=2009-08-12}}{{cite web | last=Deam | first=Jordan | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/conferences/e3_2009/6153-OnLive-at-E3-It-Works | title=OnLive at E3: It Works | publisher=www.escapistmagazine.com | date=2009-06-08 | access-date=2009-08-12}} Matt Peckham from PC World stated in his blog that it might be technically difficult to transfer the amount of data that a high definition game would require. He stated he believed OnLive customers would need a broadband line with "guaranteed, non-shared, uninterruptible speed", but "broadband isn't there yet, nor are ISPs willing to offer performance guarantees". He also mentioned his concerns that the mod community would be unable to create and offer mods since all game data will be stored on the OnLive servers, and that games played on OnLive might not be "owned" by the user, and thus if OnLive were to go under, all the user's games would be inaccessible.{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/161930/gdc_09_6_reasons_onlive_could_be_a_bust.html |title=GDC 09: 6 Reasons OnLive Could Be a Bust |publisher=PC World |date=2006-07-31 |access-date=2009-03-25 |archive-date=2012-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114082120/http://www.pcworld.com/article/161930/gdc_09_6_reasons_onlive_could_be_a_bust.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|author=Peter Svensson |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29883518 |title=The Associated Press: Streaming games could be bane or boon for ISPs |agency=Associated Press |date=2009-03-25 |access-date=2010-08-11}}

Cevat Yerli, the CEO of Crytek, had researched a method for streaming games but concluded that Crytek's approach would not be viable until 2013 "at earliest". Yerli made it clear Crytek was not directly involved with the OnLive service, and Yerli had no personal experience using the service. Rather, Electronic Arts, the publisher of Crytek's Crysis Warhead, had partnered with OnLive and had tested and endorsed the OnLive technology. Yerli stated:

{{blockquote|I want to see it myself. I don't want to say it's either 'top or flop'. I hope it works for them because it could improve gamers' lives. The technology of video-based rendering is not actually a very new concept but they do some things that others didn't do before so it will be interesting to see.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/crytek-streaming-games-service-viable-in-2013 |title=Crytek: Streaming games service viable in 2013 |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=2009-04-02 |access-date=2009-04-22}}}}

Eurogamer's Digital Foundry was amongst the most harshly skeptical in an article published upon OnLive's unveiling and public demonstration entitled, "GDC: Why OnLive Can't Possibly Work" by Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter. The article's analysis characterized OnLive as a faked demo that was technically impossible to accomplish over a consumer Internet connection.{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gdc-why-onlive-cant-possibly-work-article | title = GDC: Why OnLive Can't Possibly Work| website = Eurogamer| date = 26 March 2009}}

After the launch of the service in the United States, favorable reviews by game journalists stated that the service performed well, and they looked forward to the service improving over time.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/onlive-the-first-few-weeks/ |title=OnLive: The first few weeks |publisher=Joystiq.com |date=2010-07-13 |access-date=2010-08-11}}{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/techbytes-kindle-app-upgraded/story?id=11041633 |title=TechBytes: Kindle App Upgraded, Streaming Your Music Online, OnLive Review, Facebook and Divorce |publisher=ABC News |date=2010-06-29 |access-date=2010-08-11}}{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2010/06/22/using-onlive-is-the-easy-path-to-instant-gratification-gaming/ |title=OnLive is the easy path to instant gratification gaming |publisher=Venture Beat |date=2010-06-22 |access-date=2010-08-11}}{{cite web|last=Wolverton |first=Troy |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15517784 |title=Wolverton: OnLive streams console-quality games over the Internet |work=San Jose Mercury News |date=2010-07-18 |access-date=2010-08-13}} Hiawatha Bray of The Boston Globe stated, "It felt exactly as if I had installed the software on my local computer."{{cite web|last=Bray |first=Hiawatha |url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2010/07/15/new_service_lets_players_stream_video_games/ |title=Service lets players stream video games |publisher=The Boston Globe |date=2010-07-15 |access-date=2010-08-13}} Chris Holt of Macworld, in his review of Assassin's Creed II on OnLive using his Mac, wrote that he looks forward to future higher resolution improvements that are already promised, he "never encountered any frame rate issues", and "the game is on the whole every bit as immersive, rewarding, and free as the console version".{{cite web|last=Holt |first=Chris |url=http://www.macworld.com/reviews/product/567674/review/assassins_creed_ii.html?expand=true#review |title=Assassin's Creed II |publisher=Macworld |date=2010-07-05 |access-date=2010-08-13}} Dan Ackerman of CNET wrote that, "OnLive was an overall very impressive experience, and several minds around the CNET offices were officially blown – a difficult task among this jaded bunch."{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Rich |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20009033-1.html |title=Hands-on with OnLive: Is this the future of PC gaming? |publisher=CNET News |date=2010-06-28 |access-date=2010-08-13}}

In examining latency, Eurogamer's Digital Foundry initial test found that in some of their test scenarios, users of OnLive could expect 150ms of latency over a consumer Internet connection; however, they also noted inconsistencies, in that some games had higher latency, and that this would also depend on the quality of the customer's internet connection.{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-onlive-lag-analysis | title = OnLive Latency: The Reckoning| website = Eurogamer| date = 7 July 2010}} Furthermore, they also noted that while acceptable, these values ran contrary to figures suggested by OnLive before release of lag "being under 80ms" and "usually... between 35-40ms". In their later full-feature article on OnLive, Digital Foundry noted that "during intense gameplay, OnLive is hovering right at the boundary of what is acceptable lag and often exceeds it, resulting in a variable, often unsatisfactory experience", but that "the latency level is probably the most pleasant surprise with this system. Let's be clear: it is most definitely not a replacement for the local experience, but if the system can be tightened up and that 150ms becomes the norm, then it's clear there is potential here for the infrastructure to find a home with certain types of game or certain types of player".[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-vs-onlive-article?page=2 Digital Foundry vs. OnLive – Page 2 {{pipe}} Digital Foundry {{pipe}} Eurogamer.net]

In terms of video quality, Digital Foundry noted that video compression meant image quality also varied depending on the title. Games with a lower number of frame-to-frame differences, or games where such changes were less important, such as Assassin's Creed II or Batman: Arkham Asylum fared well, with these games being "strongly suited to video compression" and "cut-scenes in particular can look very good". However, games that had a greater amount of motion or relied on fast reactions, such as Colin McRae: Dirt, Dirt 3 or Unreal Tournament 3 fared less well, with questions about the playability of the latter when video compression artifacts were taken into account.[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-vs-onlive-article?page=3 Digital Foundry vs. OnLive – Page 3 {{pipe}} Digital Foundry {{pipe}} Eurogamer.net] Digital Foundry felt that the quality of rendering was mostly good, with high frame rates, but with less consistency than console counterparts and with screen-tearing in some scenarios.[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-vs-onlive-article?page=4 Digital Foundry vs. OnLive – Page 4 {{pipe}} Digital Foundry {{pipe}} Eurogamer.net]

Gaming Examiner judged that the graphics were like "playing a PlayStation 3 on a 480p standard [definition] TV", that they thought that they experienced much lower framerates than expected, and that the controller was not working reliably.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamingexaminer.com/onlive-a-year-and-a-half-later/11843/ |title=OnLive: A Year And A Half Later |publisher=gamingexaminer.com |date=2011-11-18 |access-date=2011-11-27}}

After the launch in United Kingdom, Computer and Video Games remarked that, after one month of use, the service was "working" and was adequate for trying or renting a game, but that it was not a substitute for owning a game on another platform due to the limitations imposed by internet connections (lag, freezing and smeary visuals, as well as high data usage for those on capped connections).{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/326144/features/onlive-is-it-still-blazing-trails|title=OnLive: Is it still blazing trails?|date=2011-11-20|website=Computer and Video Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607023833/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/326144/features/onlive-is-it-still-blazing-trails/|archive-date=2013-06-07|url-status=dead|access-date=2011-11-27|quote=It's this sort of thing that really makes OnLive feel like the future. But that doesn't mean that you should throw away your console tomorrow. UK broadband needs a proper upgrade, increasing usage caps and speed across the board, and playing your game on your own system will for the time being always beat it for quality of visuals and feel}}

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