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The Big Three platform holders – Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo – will not support OnLive with their software, according to Gaikai founder David Perry.
“A pretty obvious difference between Gaikai and OnLive is the fact that they’ll never have a Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft game on their system,” Perry told Develop in an interview published today.
“OnLive is trying to directly compete with the platform holders,” said Perry, speaking of the TV-tethered micro-console that OnLive can run on.
“[OnLive is] trying to rule the living room,” he added. “The OnLive team are positioning it as something where you won’t need a PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii any more; you can just have their box.”
When the OnLive cloud gaming portal was first revealed at GDC earlier this year, there was a visible buzz surrounding the service, particularly due to how it might revolutionise the game distribution process, and perhaps even the circulation of powerful PCs and consoles.
Perry, however, appeared sceptical of the impact OnLive will have.
“OnLive’s model is to try and make a micro-console. If they succeed in doing so, they will take away some market share from the other platform holders. I have to ask; if they really do succeed and take some market share away from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, what will have really changed for the videogame industry? Will anything change?
“The answer is no,” he said. “They’ve moved money around, but it’s not like the industry will see 100 million new consumers, but just the same ones who have moved to a fourth console.
“That’s why publishers really aren’t excited by the OnLive model.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Perry explained that he wants Gaikai-hosted games to – initially at least – be free to play, why the Big Three would be interested in Gaikai, and why OnLive is taking a huge risk.
Develop has contacted OnLive for comment.
