Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[OnLive's new senior VP of engineering to push tablet, Smart TV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/onlives-new-senior-vp-of-engineering-to-push-tablet-smart-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/onlives-new-senior-vp-of-engineering-to-push-tablet-smart-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/20/onlives-new-senior-vp-of-engineering-to-push-tablet-smart-tv/#comments OnLive is looking into the tablet and Smart TV gaming market with its latest hire, Don Gordon, founder of Smart TV tech company Bulldog United. Gordon is OnLive's new senior VP of engineering, and his goal is to drive integration of OnLive onto tablets and Smart TVs, Develop reports.

OnLive saw a public, rocky buyout and restructuring in August, when Lauder Partners picked up the company for $4.8 million. At the time, OnLive was $18.7 million in debt and had no available cash. Gaikai, a competing cloud gaming service, was picked up by sony for $380 million in July. OnLive is still, well, alive, and LG Smart TVs now come standard with the streaming service.

JoystiqOnLive's new senior VP of engineering to push tablet, Smart TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudiosipadmobileOnLivepcSmart-TVtabletWed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy 'Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition' on OnLive, get free GOG copy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/buy-witcher-2-enhanced-edition-on-onlive-get-free-pc-mac-copy/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/buy-witcher-2-enhanced-edition-on-onlive-get-free-pc-mac-copy/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/28/buy-witcher-2-enhanced-edition-on-onlive-get-free-pc-mac-copy/#comments Hey, OnLive, it's been a while! Remember when you made that offer of a free PC or Mac copy of The Witcher 2 with an OnLive purchase of the game? What, that's now? Silly us!

The cloud gaming platform told us that, starting today, a $19.99 purchase of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition grabs you a PC or Mac copy via GOG.com. CD Projekt's action RPG is also one of the over 200 games in OnLive's PlayPack, which you can subscribe access to for $9.99 a month.

Continue reading Buy 'Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition' on OnLive, get free GOG copy

JoystiqBuy 'Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition' on OnLive, get free GOG copy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cd-projektgog.commaconlivepcthe-witcher-2Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive comes to LG G2 Smart TVs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/onlive-LG-smart-tvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/onlive-LG-smart-tvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/onlive-LG-smart-tvs/#comments OnLive comes to LG G2 smart TVsLG G2 Smart televisions now have OnLive built in. The OnLive app became available today to be downloaded onto TV sets already purchased, while the cloud gaming service is being pre-installed on future sets. The only thing needed in addition is an OnLive controller.

OnLive was announced as coming to LG Smart TVs with Google TV at this year's E3, Its cloud gaming functionality means players can start and save their games on LG's TV, and then continue on other platforms from where they left off. The service also enables cross-platform gaming, so you can play on your LG TV against others on PCs and tablets.

The news represents a positive upturn from what has been a difficult summer for OnLive. The company accrued debts of $30-40 milion and laid off at least half of its staff before being acquired by Lauder Partners, LLC for $4.8 million.

Continue reading OnLive comes to LG G2 Smart TVs

JoystiqOnLive comes to LG G2 Smart TVs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LGlg-googleonliveThu, 15 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lauder's purchase of OnLive totaled just $4.8 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/lauders-purchase-of-onlive-totaled-just-4-8-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/lauders-purchase-of-onlive-totaled-just-4-8-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/10/lauders-purchase-of-onlive-totaled-just-4-8-million/#comments When venture capitalist group Lauder Partners, LLC purchased and reformed OnLive back in August, it did so for $4.8 million, according to a letter to OnLive's creditors obtained by Polygon and the San Jose Mercury News. The company's blue-light special asking price was due in part to its $18.7 million in debt, in addition to the fact that the last of its available cash had already been allocated to fulfill payroll obligations.

Granted, $4.8 million is still more money than we'll ever see in our entire lives, but it seems a bit paltry when compared with Sony's $380 million acquisition of Gaikai. Under the circumstances, however, this was as good as it was going to get for OnLive.

"Had the sale to the buyer not taken place, the assignee would have been left with inadequate capital to fund the significant costs to preserve and market OnLive's patents and other intellectual property, thus greatly reducing expected recoveries essentially to those of a forced piecemeal auction," says Insolvency Services Group CEO Joel Weinberg in the letter to OnLive's creditors.

OnLive's creditors will receive around $0.26 for every dollar originally owed, according to the letter.

JoystiqLauder's purchase of OnLive totaled just $4.8 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbuyoutlauderlauder-partnersonlivepurchasepurchase-priceWed, 10 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive's year-long road to recovery involves more partnerships]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/onlives-year-long-road-to-recovery-involves-more-partnerships/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/onlives-year-long-road-to-recovery-involves-more-partnerships/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/onlives-year-long-road-to-recovery-involves-more-partnerships/#comments Bruce Grove, general manager of OnLive in the UK, revealed a 12-month "recovery plan" for the company in an interview with MCV UK. The plan involves building more partnerships to expand the service's reach, though Grove didn't specify who the company would partner with in the future.

"We have a road map for how soon we start with certain things, what the focus is, what we're going to be doing, what the next twelve months will be. And that's a big shift for the company: Having a 12-month plan," Grove said. "That's something that's going to show how we'll build this into a long-term sustainable business."

OnLive went through a rocky period of transition before former CEO Steve Perlman left the company in August. The company cut 50 percent of its staff prior to spinning off into a new company entirely while maintaining the OnLive brand and service.

"In the past we've been very focused on OnLive being the driving force of wherever we've gone. Now, it's much more about engagement with our partners. That's going to be the way we reach the new customer market," Grove said.

JoystiqOnLive's year-long road to recovery involves more partnerships originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bruce-groveceoOnLiveplanrecoverySteve-PerlmanSat, 06 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive and Gaikai functionality still on board for Wikipad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/onlive-and-gaikai-functionality-still-on-board-for-wikipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/onlive-and-gaikai-functionality-still-on-board-for-wikipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/onlive-and-gaikai-functionality-still-on-board-for-wikipad/#comments During a private demo of the near-final Wikipad this week, Joystiq was able to grill Wikipad president of sales Fraser Townley about next month's launch. Specifically, we wanted to learn whether OnLive and Gaikai functionality - the former with its recent change in ownership and the latter having recently been picked up by Sony - were still planned for the device.

"Yes," Townsley assured Joystiq, to both applications appearing on the device. Speaking on the situation at OnLive, Townsley said he didn't have much knowledge what was happening at the company, but promised that "if [the service is] still running when we launch Wikipad, it'll be there."

While Wikipad will have physical units for purchase in-store through official partner GameStop, all other major retailers will be taking orders online. When asked what would be a successful launch for the $499 tablet - which comes with the controller dock and 16GB of memory - Townley couldn't provide exact numbers, but said that "a point or two" of total tablet market share would be desirable.

Gallery: Wikipad

JoystiqOnLive and Gaikai functionality still on board for Wikipad originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgaikaimobileonlivewikipadWed, 26 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive founder, CEO Steve Perlman exiting company; silent investor new chairman]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/onlive-founder-ceo-steve-perlman-exiting-company/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/onlive-founder-ceo-steve-perlman-exiting-company/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/onlive-founder-ceo-steve-perlman-exiting-company/#comments eOnLive CEO and head Steve Perlman is exiting the cloud streaming company, according to a press release, just days after he was reaffirmed as its leader. The company's former operations head Charlie Jablonski is taking over as chief operating officer and will act as interim chief executive officer, while venture capitalist Gary Lauder - and new owner of OnLive - becomes OnLive's new leader.

"Steve has created an extraordinary company that no one else could have created. He is a unique entrepreneur and deserves his legendary status in Silicon Valley as a creator of groundbreaking companies," Lauder said of Perlman. Lauder asserted that, "the new OnLive is emerging with greater financial security and a brighter outlook on the future. OnLive is now positioned to execute against longer-term projects with our breakthrough technology, products, and services."

The release doesn't say where Perlman's going just yet, only that he's "departing to work on his myriad other projects," presumably in reference to Mova, and his original startup, Rearden. It does, however, note that Lauder "plans to continue building the OnLive management team in key categories as the company delivers on its mission of breaking new ground in cloud gaming."

Continue reading OnLive founder, CEO Steve Perlman exiting company; silent investor new chairman

JoystiqOnLive founder, CEO Steve Perlman exiting company; silent investor new chairman originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gary-lauderonlivesteve-perlmanMon, 27 Aug 2012 17:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft hosting mixer for former OnLive employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/25/microsoft-hosting-mixer-for-former-onlive-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/25/microsoft-hosting-mixer-for-former-onlive-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/25/microsoft-hosting-mixer-for-former-onlive-employees/#comments Microsoft hosting mixer for former OnLive employeesMicrosoft will be throwing an industry mixer for the 50-ish percent of OnLive workers affected by the streaming company's recent restructuring madness this Monday, August 27, at its campus in Silicon Valley. Hiring managers will be on site, scouting for Xbox-oriented positions at Microsoft's offices in Mountain View, CA and Redmond, WA.

"We are eager to speak to individuals and teams affected by the OnLive transition," reads the event's public invitation. "We are looking to add key players who want to make a real impact in creating groundbreaking new products and services."

Whether this is indicative of an expanded streaming presence in Microsoft's future is anyone's guess; it could simply be an example of the tech industry taking care of its own. An Xbox Kinect bundle will also be raffled off during the event, though we assume those attending will be more interested in finding gainful employment than winning a door prize.

JoystiqMicrosoft hosting mixer for former OnLive employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>industryjobsmicrosoftmixeronliverecruitmentxboxSat, 25 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Perlman remains OnLive CEO in company rebirth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/steve-perlman-remains-onlive-ceo-in-company-rebirth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/steve-perlman-remains-onlive-ceo-in-company-rebirth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/steve-perlman-remains-onlive-ceo-in-company-rebirth/#comments Steve Perlman is still OnLive CEOOnLive CEO Steve Perlman is retaining his position as chief operating officer of the cloud gaming service, despite over half of his employees losing their jobs when the company shut down. OnLive amassed debts of over $30 million, but was acquired by Lauder Partners, LLC with the company's new owner assuring there is "solid financial footing."

Perlman's continuance as CEO was revealed in a letter from Lauder Partners to the OnLive Fans community. The letter also details that Perlman received no stock in the newly formed OnLive company, nor did he receive any compensation as part of the transaction.

During the original OnLive's final staff meeting last week, Perlman blamed himself for the demise of the company, making today's news all the more bizarre. "I'm the one that brought you here. I'm the one that ultimately made decisions. And I'm the one that ultimately takes responsibility. So I am sorry, and it didn't end up exactly as we'd hoped," he told the company's 150-200 person staff. Perlman's history beyond OnLive includes high-ranking positions at both Apple and Microsoft.

JoystiqSteve Perlman remains OnLive CEO in company rebirth originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffsonlivesteve-perlmanFri, 24 Aug 2012 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive's debt was $30-40 million, insolvency group reveals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/onlives-debt-was-30-40-million-insolvency-group-reveals/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/onlives-debt-was-30-40-million-insolvency-group-reveals/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/23/onlives-debt-was-30-40-million-insolvency-group-reveals/#comments OnLive's debt was $3040 million, insolvency services reveals It's now been revealed that OnLive's debt was somewhere between $30 million and $40 million before last week's collapse and subsequent reincarnation.

Last week, the California-based company's assets were transferred to Insolvency Services Group. Those assets were then sold on to Lauder Partners, LLC on the day OnLive ceased operations. Yesterday, ISG's CEO Joel Weinberg revealed the extent of OnLive's arrears to San Jose Mercury News.

"It was a company that was in dire straits. It only had days to live in terms of cash flow and the like," Weinberg disclosed, "Something had to be done immediately or there would have been a hard shutdown, which would have been a disaster."

The newly acquired company will continue to run under the OnLive name, but it had to lay off at least half of its 200 employees as part of the process. It now also appears likely that investors HTC and British Telecom will write off their investments. Weinberg also revealed that he expects investors to only receive 5 to 10 cents per dollar owed.

JoystiqOnLive's debt was $30-40 million, insolvency group reveals originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>debtlayoffsOnLiveThu, 23 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[British Telecom says it's 'highly likely' to write off OnLive stake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/british-telecom-says-its-highly-likely-to-write-off-onlive-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/british-telecom-says-its-highly-likely-to-write-off-onlive-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/british-telecom-says-its-highly-likely-to-write-off-onlive-st/#comments 0British Telecom has reported that it is "highly likely" to simply write off the 2.6 percent stake it invested in the recently rebooted cloud computing service, OnLive. The issue isn't yet settled, but a BT spokesperson told TechRadar that "the 2.6 percent shareholding in OnLive does not represent a significant investment for BT as a whole. We consider it highly likely that we'll have to write off our investment."

HTC also made a $40 million investment in OnLive, and it has already reported to the Taiwanese Stock Exchange that it considers the money written off. With all of OnLive's assets being transferred to form a new company, getting compensated for their investments may be more trouble than it's worth for both HTC and BT.

But the book isn't closed just yet - BT says it will "keep a close eye on developments" with OnLive, and that current customers who are able to access the service can continue to do so for the time being.

JoystiqBritish Telecom says it's 'highly likely' to write off OnLive stake originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british-telecombtcompanieshtcinvestmentmobileonlivepcstakestockstaiwanTue, 21 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Yes, Ouya is still supporting OnLive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/yes-ouya-is-still-supporting-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/yes-ouya-is-still-supporting-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/yes-ouya-is-still-supporting-onlive/#comments Yes indeed, the Ouya is still planned to have OnLive support at launch. Ouya announced in late July that OnLive cloud game streaming support would be in the Android-powered, Kickstarter-funded open-source console when it launches early next year. Reps from both companies reconfirmed their commitment to the collaboration this afternoon.

If this sounds a bit familiar, it's because OnLive has - in unspecific terms - said as much already. "All previously announced products and services, including those in the works, will continue and there is no expected interruption of any OnLive services," a statement by the company read last Friday. However, we've seen this question pop up repeatedly since last week, so we wanted to state each company's position on the record one last time. Just for you. Yup, you.

JoystiqYes, Ouya is still supporting OnLive originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcloud-gamingcloud-streaminggame-streamingmobileonliveouyayes-for-realMon, 20 Aug 2012 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive's mysterious benefactor revealed, 'almost half' of original staff hired on at new company]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/onlives-mysterious-benefactor-revealed-almost-half-of-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/onlives-mysterious-benefactor-revealed-almost-half-of-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/onlives-mysterious-benefactor-revealed-almost-half-of-origin/#comments Venture capitalist group Lauder Partners, LLC - helmed by long-time tech investor Gary Lauder - is the group behind OnLive's new incarnation. OnLive representatives announced this morning that Lauder Partners' Gary Lauder is the "very accomplished and well known venture capitalist" that's helping bail out the cloud streaming service. CEO Steve Perlman spoke of Lauder in vague terms during the company's final meeting late last week.

The new company will retain "almost half" of the original staff - OnLive employed approximately 150-200 during its height, and laid off over half of its employes last week when it declared a form of bankruptcy (ABC). Said employees will retain their current salary level in the new company; executives are said to be receiving "reduced compensation" from the transaction (as to retain more employees), and CEO Steve Perlman is apparently receiving nothing from the transaction. It's unclear why any executives would be receiving compensation from the transaction in a moment where so many staff are being let go.

OnLive reaffirmed that "users should see no change in the OnLive Game or Desktop Services," and that "all of their purchases remain intact and available." The announcement also provided updated stats on OnLive's userbase, which "has over 2.5 million subscribers, with an active base of over 1.5 million subscribers."

Update: OnLive tells us that the original company had "about 200 employees" (including temps) when the ABC process began last week, and "almost half had offers in hand at full salary when we made the transition." The rep also said OnLive "expect to get more offers out this week," and that it's "just a matter of processing the transition."

Continue reading OnLive's mysterious benefactor revealed, 'almost half' of original staff hired on at new company

JoystiqOnLive's mysterious benefactor revealed, 'almost half' of original staff hired on at new company originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gary-lauderlauder-partnerslauder-partners-llconlivesteve-perlmanMon, 20 Aug 2012 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Documenting the death of OnLive: notes from the company's final meeting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/18/documenting-the-death-of-onlive-notes-from-the-companys-final/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/18/documenting-the-death-of-onlive-notes-from-the-companys-final/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/18/documenting-the-death-of-onlive-notes-from-the-companys-final/#comments "I've been a non-stop fundraising machine," OnLive CEO Steve Perlman told his entire staff yesterday morning. "And I finally got to the point where I just could not bring in enough funding to carry this thing forward." The hundreds of employees that make up OnLive were - en masse - relieved of their positions in yesterday's meeting, including Perlman himself. "All of us, technically, as of today, our jobs have ended - our current jobs with this company," another administrator informed the crowd after Perlman finished speaking.

OnLive is entering what is known in California as an "Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors," or an "ABC," (a form of bankruptcy) wherein an "assignee" (a person, persons, or entity) takes over the assets of the current company - in OnLive's case, this means "the software, hardware, network architecture, our logo, all that stuff," according to Perlman - in an effort to lighten the previous company's debts and get its creditors paid off. Thus the "Benefit of Creditors" part of that acronym.

Perlman didn't say who that assignee was during the company's meeting, only referring to him as "an extraordinary guy" (not an entity), and a "very accomplished and well known venture capitalist" who is "very wealthy." The unknown assignee apparently believes that OnLive "is the entire future of everything," Perlman told employees. Unfortunately, he isn't wealthy enough to bring on the 150-200 people that OnLive employed.

"Here's the tough part, and this is the thing I'm very sorry to say: it's just not possible for one individual in a startup - whether it's that old startup or this new startup - to bring in this many people into a company," Perlman said. Without giving numbers, Perlman said that, in the new company, "the people that come on board are the essential people, as needed, to go and accomplish that goal of getting this thing to cash-flow positive."

He prefaced that news with a stinging reality: "The people that are gonna be coming on board here, that will come out of the group ... I'm gonna tell you, most of the people will not be coming on board."

Continue reading Documenting the death of OnLive: notes from the company's final meeting

JoystiqDocumenting the death of OnLive: notes from the company's final meeting originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcloud-gamingcloud-streamingiosipadiphonelayoffsmacmobileonlivepcsteve-perlmanSat, 18 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Source: OnLive averaged 1800 concurrent users, CEO promised to protect patents against Gaikai [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/source-onlive-ceo-showed-no-remorse-when-announcing-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/source-onlive-ceo-showed-no-remorse-when-announcing-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/source-onlive-ceo-showed-no-remorse-when-announcing-layoffs/#comments

A source confirmed to have been affected by today's OnLive company shift has stepped forward, telling Joystiq that staff were shocked when company CEO Steve Perlman announced OnLive would be restructured. Employees had joked, before the 10am meeting, that perhaps the company had finally been purchased. They thought the news would be good.

It wasn't.

Our source, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Perlman "showed no remorse" when detailing the decision to staff and explained to laid-off employees that any vetted stocks were worthless - as OnLive is "nowhere near going public" - no severance would be offered, and all flexible spending accounts were gone. [See update below]

At 2pm today, a second meeting was called for employees that received an offer letter to remain with the restructured company, under an undisclosed investor. Only those with offer letters know the company behind the move, our source said. Prior to the news, OnLive employed 180 to 200 individuals. Less than fifty percent of staff - and our source speculates closer to twenty percent - received an invitation to the new company. Employees that remained included management and select members of the operations and engineering teams required to keep the service moving forward.

Despite its claim of two million users, our source says that the average peak amount of concurrent users was around 1,800. The two million number accounts for anyone who has signed up for the service; actual usage was remarkably lower.

Following the meeting, management told laid-off staff to pack their belongings, return any key cards, and exit the building by 4pm today. When reporters were spotted photographing the building, management requested laid-off employees to exit through the garage and not the front door.

Multiple offers were made to purchase the company over the last few months, including one from Hewlett-Packard. Company management said it was investigating offers; however, it was widely known to employees that Perlman was looking for an offer in the range of $1 billion.

"Steve got all excited when Gaikai got acquired, because it kind of validated everything we did," our source told us when asked if Sony's acquisition of the streaming service company changed an attitude in the office. At around the same time Sony made the acquisition, OnLive's patent for gameplay streaming went through. "So all of a sudden, Steve was like 'When the time is right, we're going to hit them with our patent because we're not going to let some two-bit company ride our coattails,'" the source claimed, explaining the threat was made to the entire company soon after Gaikai was acquired.

"I guarantee that some time in the future, Steve is going to go to court and sue the shit out of them for stealing our ideas," the source said.

Joystiq has contacted OnLive regarding the allegation of a potential patent scuffle.

Update: Joystiq has learned that laid-off employees will keep their benefits package until the end of August, with the option of opting into COBRA on September 1. Additionally, laid-off employees that aid in the transition to the new investor, may be rewarded in company stock; however, it should be noted that OnLive is still not a publicly traded company. In separate meetings, laid-off OnLive employees received a termination package, which included a check for their last week of work and approved, unpaid PTO.

Update 2: Though the new owner of OnLive has yet to be revealed, the new investor appears to be an individual "impressed" with what OnLive has been able to accomplish and not a major company - this according to Perlman during today's internal announcement meeting.

Update 3: Another source has come forward to dispute the claim that OnLive CEO Steve Perlman showed "no remorse" when announcing the company's restructuring. "Steve said he was very, very sorry and shouldered all the blame at the company meeting this morning," the new source - also requesting to remain anonymous, but confirmed as an employee - told Joystiq. "Steve has always worked harder than anyone at OnLive and therefore has my respect as well as many others within the company," the sourced, who was also let go this morning, added. We have changed our headline address this conflict.

Have any additional information about today's OnLive restructuring? Please contact xav [at] joystiq [dot] com.

JoystiqSource: OnLive averaged 1800 concurrent users, CEO promised to protect patents against Gaikai [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GaikailayoffsOnLiveSteve-PerlmanFri, 17 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive spun off into new company, service 'will continue to operate']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-spun-off-into-new-company-service-will-continue-to-oper/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-spun-off-into-new-company-service-will-continue-to-oper/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-spun-off-into-new-company-service-will-continue-to-oper/#comments Cloud streaming business OnLive confirmed its sale and subsequent restructuring "into a newly formed company" this afternoon, and said both its game and desktop services "will continue to operate." That includes "all of OnLive's apps and devices."

According to the statement, OnLive, Inc. is now a new company "backed by substantial funding" - enough funding to hire "a large percentage of OnLive, Inc.'s staff across all departments." Furthermore, there are plans to "hire substantially more people, including additional OnLive employees." The statement also said that its various plans for the future, including "products and services" that are still in development, will be unaffected by the spin off.

The statement doesn't address how many employees were affected by today's news. Reports from former employees put the layoff numbers at 50 percent or more of OnLive's total staff.

When asked whether CEO Steve Perlman was still heading the company, an OnLive rep confirmed that the company's management team "remains intact."

JoystiqOnLive spun off into new company, service 'will continue to operate' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>onlivesteve-perlmanFri, 17 Aug 2012 19:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Source: OnLive losing 'at least 50 percent of staff,' bought out by unknown third party]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-losing-at-least-50-percent-of-staff-purchased-by-unkno/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-losing-at-least-50-percent-of-staff-purchased-by-unkno/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-losing-at-least-50-percent-of-staff-purchased-by-unkno/#comments OnLive let go "at least 50 percent" of its staff today, Engadget learned, and the company was purchased by an unknown third party. A former employee confirmed layoff reports that popped up earlier this afternoon and recounted the events that led to today's firings.

A meeting held this morning by CEO Steve Perlman informed employees that "at least 50 percent of the staff" were to be cut, effective as of 4PM PST today. Employees affected in the layoffs are said to have not been offered severance.

Moreover, OnLive was bought out by an unknown third party, and an unknown amount of employees will be offered jobs at the newly formed company. It's unclear why OnLive is suddenly shedding so many employees, but the former employee pointed out monthly operating costs of approximately $5 million as at least part of the reason.

For its part, OnLive isn't confirming any layoffs. "We don't respond to rumors, but of course not," a company rep told Joystiq earlier today regarding reports that the company's entire staff was laid off. Reps wouldn't confirm whether other layoffs have occurred.

Vizio's Co-Star player is the latest product featuring OnLive - it's unclear how, if at all, it will be affected by today's layoffs, not to mention the purchase of OnLive by a third party.

JoystiqSource: OnLive losing 'at least 50 percent of staff,' bought out by unknown third party originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionlayoffsmaconlivepcsteve-perlmanFri, 17 Aug 2012 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive on rumors of closure: 'of course not' [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-on-rumors-of-closure-of-course-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-on-rumors-of-closure-of-course-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-on-rumors-of-closure-of-course-not/#comments Report Onlive laying off all employees, rebooting the company

InXile Entertainment's Brian Fargo tweeted this morning that he heard from someone inside Onlive that it was closing down, and has now posted that everyone on staff has lost their jobs, and that "a new company will be formed" soon after. A Mashable report from an anonymous source alleges the same.

Joystiq reached out to OnLive directly to ask about the rumors, and Director of Corporate Communications Brian Jaquet replied to us with a blunt denial: "We don't respond to rumors, but of course not."

"The exciting news is that the first VIZIO Co-Stars (Google TV stream players) with the OnLive app built-in have just arrived in customer homes," he continued, "and our second of three 'Indie Giveaway Weekends' is going on now. OnLive users can get a free copy of the award-winning games Space Pirates and Zombies and SpaceChem." So it sounds like OnLive is still open for business.

Joystiq followed up to ask if there were any layoffs at the company this morning at all, and Jaquet could only confirm that "the OnLive service is not shutting down." We'll update this post with any more details if we can get them.

Update: Kotaku is now hearing from "a source inside OnLive" that there in fact was a meeting this morning where CEO Steve Perlman told the staff that the company was filing for bankruptcy, and that no one would be employed by the current OnLive going forward. We're still researching this story, and will provide more information when we get it.

Update 2: IDG's Martyn Williams reports via Twitter that he's outside OnLive's headquarters in Palo Alto, CA, and that he's seeing "employees leaving OnLive headquarters with moving boxes." It's looking more and more like there were layoffs at the company today. Joystiq is continuing to follow up.

Update 3: OnLive laid off "at least 50 percent" of its staff this afternoon, and the company is being taken over by an unknown third-party. More through this link.

JoystiqOnLive on rumors of closure: 'of course not' [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceocloudgaminglayoffsonlivepatentspcrebootrumorservicestreamingFri, 17 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive spreads to Belgium]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/onlive-spreads-to-belgium/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/onlive-spreads-to-belgium/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/onlive-spreads-to-belgium/#comments OnLive spreads over to BelgiumBelgium is the first country in Europe after the UK to receive OnLive streaming, so let us be the first to say congratulations in your native language of Dutch: gefeliciteerd. If you're from the southern, French-speaking part of the country, then félicitations; and glückwünsche, to the small contingent of German-speaking gamers in Belgium.

OnLive is available in Belgium starting today through an exclusive partnership with Belgacom telecommunications - to get started, head on over to onlive.be. And if you're a Belgacom customer, you get the first month of OnLive free.

JoystiqOnLive spreads to Belgium originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belgiumiosipadiphonemacmobileonlivepcMon, 30 Jul 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive-capable Vizio Co-Star now up for pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/onlive-capable-vizio-co-star-now-up-for-pre-order/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/onlive-capable-vizio-co-star-now-up-for-pre-order/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/onlive-capable-vizio-co-star-now-up-for-pre-order/#comments
The Vizio Co-Star Stream Player, the box that turns any old HDTV into a "smart" TV, is now available for pre-order. The device will add advanced internet features (via WiFi) to any HDTV with HDMI input. Said features include Google TV, Netflix, YouTube and, most relevant to readers of Joystiq, OnLive support - making the Co-Star the first Google TV device with integrated OnLive, according to Vizio.

Pre-orders are now open at $99 with free shipping for a "limited time."

Continue reading OnLive-capable Vizio Co-Star now up for pre-order

JoystiqOnLive-capable Vizio Co-Star now up for pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-staronliveviziovizio-co-starTue, 24 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive controller to support Nexus 7 soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/onlive-controller-to-support-nexus-7-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/onlive-controller-to-support-nexus-7-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/onlive-controller-to-support-nexus-7-soon/#comments What's that? You say that Google finally shipped you that sweet Nexus 7, but you can't play your precious OnLive games on the Android app? Take heart, because OnLive is working to add support for its Bluetooth controller to Google's new 7-inch tablet, according to GottaBeMobile. In a rather brief statement, OnLive said quite simply: "We don't have support out for it yet, but we hope to shortly."

So there you have it - sit tight, early adopters. In the meantime, we suppose you could always play LA Noire.

JoystiqOnLive controller to support Nexus 7 soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglegoogle-nexus-7mobilenexus-7onliveTue, 17 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive support dropped from Sony media player post-Gaikai purchase [Update: support not dropped, says OnLive]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/03/onlive-support-dropped-from-sony-blu-ray-player-post-gaikai-purc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/03/onlive-support-dropped-from-sony-blu-ray-player-post-gaikai-purc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/03/onlive-support-dropped-from-sony-blu-ray-player-post-gaikai-purc/#comments OnLive support dropped from Sony Bluray player postGaikai purchaseRemember the Sony streaming media player that reportedly packed OnLive support? After yesterday's announcement of the acquisition of Gaikai - that other video game streaming service - OnLive support for the player is unsurprisingly kaput, Sony confirmed to VentureBeat.

Presumably, Gaikai support could be added to the device in the future, but for now it's clear that Sony's game streaming intentions (understandably) no longer include OnLive.

Update: An OnLive spokesperson has told Joystiq that VentureBeat's information is inaccurate. Specifically, OnLive was never going to be preloaded into Sony's device in the first place. Users will, however, still be able to download OnLive to the device. Furthermore, the OnLive spokesperson stated that the OnLive controller is still compatible with the device as well.

We've contacted Sony directly to see if we can clear all this up.

JoystiqOnLive support dropped from Sony media player post-Gaikai purchase [Update: support not dropped, says OnLive] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloud-gaminggaikaigame-streamingmedia-playeronlivesonystreamingTue, 03 Jul 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Potential OnLive integration in Sony Internet player]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/01/potential-onlive-integration-in-sony-internet-player/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/01/potential-onlive-integration-in-sony-internet-player/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/01/potential-onlive-integration-in-sony-internet-player/#comments Potential OnLive integration in Sony Bluray playerSony's Internet Player with Google TV lists "OnLive Gaming Controller/USB dongle" as compatible with the streaming device, according to its hardware product page. OnLive has yet to announce any partnership with Sony, though the addition of OnLive controller compatibility infers (but doesn't confirm) support of the service in this product.

While categorized with the company's Blu-ray player offerings, the Internet Player with Google TV doesn't appear to support the standard hi-def disc format. The inclusion of OnLive in a Google TV player doesn't come as a huge surprise either, as OnLive planned to bring its service to all Google TV devices, Engadget reported back in January.

Additionally, OnLive recently popped up on Vizio's Co-Star, which means in streaming device terms, it gets around.

JoystiqPotential OnLive integration in Sony Internet player originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google-tvinternet-playerOnLiveonlive-game-serviceSONYstreamingSun, 01 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Vizio's 'Co-Star' makes your TV smarter, hooks it up with OnLive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/26/vizios-co-star-makes-your-tv-smarter-hooks-it-up-with-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/26/vizios-co-star-makes-your-tv-smarter-hooks-it-up-with-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/26/vizios-co-star-makes-your-tv-smarter-hooks-it-up-with-onlive/#comments Vizio's 'CoStar' makes your TV smarter, hooks it up with OnLiveOur dumb old HDTVs don't have the fancy bells and whistles of today's models, what with their Google Chrome internet browsing and OnLive game streaming integration. Vizio apparently understands this frustration, and is launching the Vizio "Co-Star Stream Player" to modernize our barbarian ways. The Co-Star offers the various features of Google TV, game streaming through OnLive, and access to a variety of apps (think Netflix, Amazon Instant - the usual).

Don't let the Vizio name fool you - Co-Star works with "any HDTV," according to Vizio. Pre-orders for the device open next month via Vizio's website, and the device costs $100. Think of it as an OnLive Microconsole with extra stuff, for roughly the same price. Not too shabby!

Continue reading Vizio's 'Co-Star' makes your TV smarter, hooks it up with OnLive

JoystiqVizio's 'Co-Star' makes your TV smarter, hooks it up with OnLive originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidco-starco-star-stream-playermacmobileonlivepcvizioTue, 26 Jun 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Microsoft considered OnLive acquisition, thinks the next PlayStation will be a GoogleTV box]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/rumor-xbox-720-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/rumor-xbox-720-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/16/rumor-xbox-720-onlive/#comments Details continue to spew forth from the supposed leaked 52-page "Xbox 720" presentation that came to light a few hours ago. Buried deep within the bowels of the slideshow's fifth seventh slide, an examination of the next Xbox's potential competition potentially reveals some interesting tidbits about Microsoft's thinking back in 2010 (the slideshow dates back to August 2010).

Most notably, the document not only lists OnLive's MicroConsole as competition (along with the AppleTV and GoogleTV platforms, among others), but it also notes OnLive itself as a "potential acquisition target" - which makes sense considering frequent mentions of cloud gaming in the rest of the document.

The presentation also makes several assumptions about the Wii U (dubbed "Wii2" in the piece, showing its age) and Sony's eventual next console, specifically claiming that the Wii U will cost around $249, and that the "PS4" will be some kind of GoogleTV device, on top of being a Sony console.

JoystiqRumor: Microsoft considered OnLive acquisition, thinks the next PlayStation will be a GoogleTV box originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleAppleTvdurangogoogleGoogleTVmicrosoftmobilenintendoonliveplaystationPS4wii-uxboxXbox-720Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive coming to browsers, smart TVs with more viewing capabilities]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/onlive-coming-to-browsers-smart-tvs-with-more-viewing-capabilit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/onlive-coming-to-browsers-smart-tvs-with-more-viewing-capabilit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/onlive-coming-to-browsers-smart-tvs-with-more-viewing-capabilit/#comments OnLive coming to browsers, smart TVs with more viewing capabilitiesOnLive has announced that its popular game streaming service is headed out to even more platforms, including LG Smart TVs with Google TV, and a Internet browser near you thanks to a new In-Browser Gaming feature. Starting today, players will be able to go to OnLive's website, and load up the streaming service without a standalone app. OnLive says the browser service is also very customizable by any publishers or content providers, allowing for free streaming trials of any games on the service, with options to send customers off to buy or preorder the games once they're done playing. The service is very similar to competitor Gaikai, and should lower the barrier of entry for customers unwilling to download a separate app: OnLive says it will even work in popular mobile browsers, on smartphones and tablets.

OnLive has also introduced a new feature called MultiView, which allows players to watch multiple views of other players' gameplay while playing their own games, as seen above. Because OnLive's streaming technology just sends video and audio, players can watch up to three other screens while their own game is running, without any more speed hits on the local CPU. MultiView is currently in beta, and should see a full release later on this summer.

JoystiqOnLive coming to browsers, smart TVs with more viewing capabilities originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012gamemobilemultiviewnewsonlivepcstreamingviewsTue, 05 Jun 2012 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[A Virus Named Tom looks pretty adorbs, downloadable now on Desura]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/a-virus-named-tom-looks-pretty-adorbs-downloadable-now-on-desur/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/a-virus-named-tom-looks-pretty-adorbs-downloadable-now-on-desur/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/a-virus-named-tom-looks-pretty-adorbs-downloadable-now-on-desur/#comments
Image

A Virus Named Tom is one of those under-the-radar indie titles that we've been secretly following for a while now, and we finally have a valid reason to talk about it. A Virus Named Tom is an action-puzzler from Misfits Attic following a mad scientist attempting to destroy civilization with a -- wait for it -- virus named Tom. Check out the intro trailer above.

A Virus Named Tom is now available for pre-order and beta download on Desura, and is set to launch in full version soon on Steam, OnLive and, of course, Desura.

JoystiqA Virus Named Tom looks pretty adorbs, downloadable now on Desura originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-virus-named-tomdesuraIndieMisfits-AtticOnLivepcSTEAMSat, 14 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP considering the cloud, wants to put EVE gameplay on mobile devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ccp-considering-the-cloud-wants-to-put-eve-gameplay-on-mobile-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ccp-considering-the-cloud-wants-to-put-eve-gameplay-on-mobile-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ccp-considering-the-cloud-wants-to-put-eve-gameplay-on-mobile-d/#comments EVE Online developer CCP is looking for a way to bring its Internet spaceships into the cloud. CCP's chief marketing officer David Reid said at last week's Fanfest in Iceland that the company is in talks with OnLive, Gaikai, and other services to try to bring the popular space simulation MMO to one of their platforms.

Reid said there "isn't some giant announcement" for release on any other platforms but PC and Mac at this time. But he also said CCP is thinking about ways to bring elements of EVE, including the upcoming Planetary Interaction system (in which players can set up to harvest resources from virtual planets) "finding their ways to tablets and mobile devices." CCP is considering a number of ways to do that, and "to add new sorts of experiences" to the game.

JoystiqCCP considering the cloud, wants to put EVE gameplay on mobile devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpcloudcloud-gamingeve-onlinegaikaimobile-devicesonliveservicessmartphonestabletsSun, 25 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with LA Noire on a tablet with OnLive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/hands-on-with-la-noire-on-a-tablet-with-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/hands-on-with-la-noire-on-a-tablet-with-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/hands-on-with-la-noire-on-a-tablet-with-onlive/#comments Getting a technically complex game like LA Noire running on a tablet is an impressive feat, and one that OnLive has every right to crow about. That Rockstar took the time to implement touch controls so that LA Noire could be played natively is equally laudable. That said, the touch support isn't nearly as well-implemented as it might have been and is, in fact, downright clunky.

In short, it's LA Noire on a tablet with virtual controls, which plays out exactly how you think it does.

Continue reading Hands-on with LA Noire on a tablet with OnLive

JoystiqHands-on with LA Noire on a tablet with OnLive originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidhands-onLA-Noiremobileonliverockstar-gamesteam-bondiFri, 23 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive and Rockstar release touch-controlled version of LA Noire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/onlive-and-rockstar-release-touch-controlled-version-of-la-noire/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/onlive-and-rockstar-release-touch-controlled-version-of-la-noire/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/onlive-and-rockstar-release-touch-controlled-version-of-la-noire/#comments Way back in December, when OnLive first announced it would release a set of tablet apps for its cloud gaming service, we heard that Rockstar Games was also working on touch controls for LA Noire, making the console and PC game behave more like a native touchscreen app. And tonight, OnLive says those controls are finally available. If you load up LA Noire in an OnLive mobile app, you can play it by directly swiping across the screen rather than using virtual buttons or OnLive's wireless controller.

You'll need a free OnLive account to sign on to the service, and you'll need to buy LA Noire on the service if you want to play the whole thing (though just like all of the other games on OnLive, there is a free trial available to play with as well, no installation required).

And for now, you'll still need an Android tablet. OnLive has said it's working on an iOS version, but even though the company has released an iOS app for its Windows PC cloud service, the game client is "still in approval process with Apple," the company told Joystiq. It's been in that situation ever since it was announced, which suggests perhaps Apple isn't so happy with the app, though OnLive couldn't confirm anything along those lines. At any rate, if you have the app on Android and want to try touching LA Noire a little more directly, give it a shot.

JoystiqOnLive and Rockstar release touch-controlled version of LA Noire originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcontrolsfreeiosipadLA-Noiremobileonliveonlive-gamingrockstar-gamestouchscreenTue, 20 Mar 2012 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Stream IGF nominee games through OnLive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/stream-igf-nominee-games-through-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/stream-igf-nominee-games-through-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/stream-igf-nominee-games-through-onlive/#comments Haven't had a chance to play all of the IGF nominees this year? Well, a lot of them aren't out, so that makes sense. OnLive is providing the most stress-free avenue for catching up, with a two-week Indie Showcase on the streaming service.

Through March 11, you'll be able to play timed demos of 16 nominees, including: Atom Zombie Smasher, Be Good, Botanicula, Dear Esther, Dustforce, English Country Tune, Frozen Synapse, FTL, Lume, Nitronic Rush, Once Upon a Spacetime, POP, SpaceChem, To The Moon, Toren, and WAY. Your "likes" and play sessions will be tallied by OnLive to determine the most popular IGF game on the service.

Then, starting March 5, OnLive will put a bunch of previous IGF honorees on sale. Basically, no matter what, you're going to be able to find some kind of indie thing to play.

Continue reading Stream IGF nominee games through OnLive

JoystiqStream IGF nominee games through OnLive originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igf-2012indieonlivepcstreamingstreaming-gameplayTue, 28 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orion: Dino Beatdown takes on Steam and OnLive this March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/orion-dino-beatdown-takes-on-steam-and-onlive-this-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/orion-dino-beatdown-takes-on-steam-and-onlive-this-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/orion-dino-beatdown-takes-on-steam-and-onlive-this-march/#comments
Orion: Dino Beatdown is, according to developer Spiral Game Studios, an "open world, class-based cooperative survival sci-fi FPS." However, despite all those words, we think that description leaves out the interesting bits. Let us rephrase:

Orion: Dino Beatdown is a game about guys with jetpacks shooting at freaking dinosaurs.

Sound familiar? You might have actually helped fund the development. Last year, Spiral Kickstarted the project under the name Orion: Prelude. Everyone who contributed to that will receive a copy of the game when its March release date hits. Everyone else can pay $9.99.

The platforms have changed from the original plan: consoles are out, and OnLive and Steam are in. But what hasn't changed is the idea of five players in open worlds, picking one of three classes (Assault, i.e. jetpack guys, and two other miscellaneous non-jetpack classes) and surviving endless dinosaur assaults.

JoystiqOrion: Dino Beatdown takes on Steam and OnLive this March originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>onliveorion-dino-beatdownorion-preludepcq1-2012release-datespiral-game-studiosMon, 20 Feb 2012 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Q.U.B.E. being prototyped for iOS, Mac and OnLive versions on the way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/q-u-b-e-being-prototyped-for-ios-mac-and-onlive-versions-on-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/q-u-b-e-being-prototyped-for-ios-mac-and-onlive-versions-on-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/q-u-b-e-being-prototyped-for-ios-mac-and-onlive-versions-on-th/#comments Not a PC owner? Take heart, because the folks behind the Indie Fund's first release, Q.U.B.E., are already hard at work on bringing the game to a platform more accessible to you. "We're currently prototyping an iOS version, and a Mac version has been in the works for two months now," Toxic Games managing director and co-founder Daniel Da Rocha told Joystiq by email earlier today. The game is also planned for an OnLive release in the not so distant future. "Hard to say right now, hopefully Q1 2012," Da Rocha said.

As for an Xbox Live Arcade or PlayStation Network port of the already profitable game, that concept is a bit more nebulous. "We would love to go in that direction," Da Rocha told us. "It's all dependent on how well the PC version does." You heard him, folks! Get crackin'!

JoystiqQ.U.B.E. being prototyped for iOS, Mac and OnLive versions on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daniel-da-rochaiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobileonliveplaystationps3qubexboxTue, 17 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaikai coming to LG TVs, playable OnLive coming to GoogleTVs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/gaikai-coming-to-lg-tvs-playable-onlive-coming-to-googletvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/gaikai-coming-to-lg-tvs-playable-onlive-coming-to-googletvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/gaikai-coming-to-lg-tvs-playable-onlive-coming-to-googletvs/#comments If you're someone whose hatred of physical media and cluttered entertainment systems is rivaled only by your passion for contemporary gaming and universal controllers, your next television purchase may have just become as conflicted as your eccentric little heart of hearts.

Gaikai and LG have announced plans to place Gaikai's cloud-based game-streaming services inside of LG's upcoming 2012 line of Cinema 3D TVs. The service will use Gaikai's middleware to power an LG-branded gaming portal within the company's existing Smart TV app ecosystem. No information has yet been given regarding how these games will actually be played, but we're hopeful it will involve a controller of some kind, rather than creative use of the TV's remote.

OnLive has also announced further integration of its cloud-based game-streaming service into Google's GoogleTV platform, by way of Vizio's "next generation" of "Internet Apps Plus" devices. Vizio TVs equipped with Internet Apps Plus and GoogleTV 2.0 will allow users to connect their Universal Controller and stream games normally. This is a big leap from OnLive's current GoogleTV presence, which is currently limited to a "Player" app that allows GoogleTV users to spectate OnLive games happening on other devices. No word on whether full OnLive functionality will come to other devices running GoogleTV 2.0.

Continue reading Gaikai coming to LG TVs, playable OnLive coming to GoogleTVs

JoystiqGaikai coming to LG TVs, playable OnLive coming to GoogleTVs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2012Cloud-gaminggaikaiGoogle-TVGoogleTVLGonliveSmart-TVstreamingTVvizioWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive updated for Xperia Play (meaning: leave the external gamepad at home)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/onlive-updated-for-xperia-play-meaning-leave-the-external-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/onlive-updated-for-xperia-play-meaning-leave-the-external-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/onlive-updated-for-xperia-play-meaning-leave-the-external-game/#comments You may have greeted the news that OnLive was playable on tablets with a certain amount of apprehension. "But how am I supposed to control complicated console games with a touchscreen," you bemoaned. "I know I could use the external gamepad at home but what about when I'm on the go? I'm a busy, important person."

We understand your frustration, but the OnLive wizards have concocted a solution, enabling full slide-out gamepad controls for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play or, as you may prefer to call it, the PlayStation Phone. So instead of virtualized buttons, a formula that OnLive knows doesn't work, and instead of carrying your smartphone and the not-so-convenient OnLive controller, you can bust out your gamepad-enabled phone for that console-gaming experience on the go.

Continue reading OnLive updated for Xperia Play (meaning: leave the external gamepad at home)

JoystiqOnLive updated for Xperia Play (meaning: leave the external gamepad at home) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidmobileonlivesony-ericssonxperia-playFri, 23 Dec 2011 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom for Keflings coming to OnLive with touchscreen controls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/kingdom-for-keflings-coming-to-onlive-with-touch-screen-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/kingdom-for-keflings-coming-to-onlive-with-touch-screen-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/kingdom-for-keflings-coming-to-onlive-with-touch-screen-controls/#comments NinjaBee's decidedly adorable city-building game, A Kingdom for Keflings, is the latest arrival on the recently launched OnLive mobile streaming application. As part of its welcoming celebration, the title will run players $2.50 (down from $9.99) through midnight on Monday, December 12. Better yet, anyone who bought the PC version of the game directly through NinjaBee's site are eligible to receive a free OnLive copy -- just email Swag@NinjaBee.com with the subject "Keflings OnLive," including the name and email address you used to buy the game.

The OnLive version is one of few games on the platform to be altered to include native touchscreen controls, making it a nice fit on tablets like the iPad 2 and Android devices. Keflings, you see, are meant to be poked and prodded, not manipulated with cold, unfeeling joysticks.

Continue reading Kingdom for Keflings coming to OnLive with touchscreen controls

JoystiqKingdom for Keflings coming to OnLive with touchscreen controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-kingdom-for-keflingsandroidiosipadmobileninjabeeonlivestreamingtabletThu, 08 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Trine sales reach 1.1 million units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/trine-sales-reach-1-1-million-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/trine-sales-reach-1-1-million-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/trine-sales-reach-1-1-million-units/#comments Developer Frozenbyte revealed today, with the launch of Trine 2 on PC/Mac, that the original Trine has sold 1.1 million units to date.

Gamespot mentions a majority of Trine sales were achieved through Steam and the Humble Bundle, with a "notable part" also coming from OnLive. The co-op action title is also available on PS3, but never launched on Xbox 360 due to significant hiccups.

Trine 2 should not experience the same console issues, with the title expected to launch in two weeks on PSN and XBLA.

Gallery: Trine 2 (11/18/11)

JoystiqTrine sales reach 1.1 million units originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frozenbyteonlivepcplaystationps3salesTrineThu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive's mobile app hits and misses (with launch compatibility list)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlives-mobile-app-hits-and-misses-with-launch-compatibility-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlives-mobile-app-hits-and-misses-with-launch-compatibility-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlives-mobile-app-hits-and-misses-with-launch-compatibility-l/#comments OnLive CEO Steve Perlman promises a lot from his company's new cloud gaming apps for Android and iOS devices, but how does the app actually work? I've been able to play with the iPad version for the past few days, and using just the touchscreen it's far from perfect. While yes, the system does stream full live game audio and video to your device (which is impressive in itself), the controls are, frankly, a mess. OnLive's virtual controllers are just as janky as you'd imagine. In complex console games where you're using both joysticks and all of the buttons, it's playable but far from ideal.

The wireless controller, on the other hand, really shows off what's possible with a service like this. Read on for impressions of using OnLive's new accessory with the iPad, as well as a full list of game compatibility on the service at launch.

Continue reading OnLive's mobile app hits and misses (with launch compatibility list)

JoystiqOnLive's mobile app hits and misses (with launch compatibility list) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllercontrolsiosipadiphonekeyboardmobilemouseonlivepcvirtualwirelessWed, 07 Dec 2011 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive releases iOS and Android apps, custom touch controls, and a wireless controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlive-releases-ios-and-android-apps-custom-touch-controls-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlive-releases-ios-and-android-apps-custom-touch-controls-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlive-releases-ios-and-android-apps-custom-touch-controls-and/#comments Cloud gaming service OnLive has been up and running for about a year now, and in all that time it's been doing exactly what many gamers thought impossible: Playing high resolution games over the Internet on any computer powerful enough to run a simple streaming app. Now, the company is taking its cloud-based show to smartphones and tablets, with a whole suite of apps available this week for Android and iOS devices.

Joystiq had a chance to chat with OnLive CEO Steve Perlman, and he told us how the company has brought OnLive's library of PC and console titles to touchscreens everywhere (with the help of developers like Rockstar Games and a brand new controller), how OnLive and its service compares to the Xbox 360 console, and how his company would rather play nice with traditional console makers like Microsoft and Sony than disrupt their current business models.

Continue reading OnLive releases iOS and Android apps, custom touch controls, and a wireless controller

JoystiqOnLive releases iOS and Android apps, custom touch controls, and a wireless controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsceocloudgamingiosipadiphonemobileonlivesteve-perlmanstreamingtabletWed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get a free OnLive console with Assassin's Creed Revelations pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/get-a-free-onlive-console-with-assassins-creed-revelations-pre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/get-a-free-onlive-console-with-assassins-creed-revelations-pre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/get-a-free-onlive-console-with-assassins-creed-revelations-pre/#comments We're always confused by pre-order offers for downloadable games -- even more confused by pre-order offers for OnLive games, for which the game code technically never leaves OnLive's servers.

But we're able to overlook logistical questions, because OnLive is extending the generous offer of a free Microconsole with pre-order of Assassin's Creed Revelations, for those who purchase the $49.99 game by November 19. It's the same deal the service offers with every major release, and it wows us every time. "Free console with purchase of game" is a pretty good hook, an evaluation shared by Ezio's new equipment.

JoystiqGet a free OnLive console with Assassin's Creed Revelations pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-revelationsonliveonlive-game-systempcpre-orderubisoftTue, 15 Nov 2011 14:10:00 EST