Hooch Tan
07-03-2010, 03:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20009565-248.html' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-2...009565-248.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Such a model may turn the gaming hardware industry on its head, but it opens up new avenues of utility for tablets, mobile phones, and even that 5- or 6-year-old computer that would have otherwise been hopelessly unable to run most modern-day titles."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278114293.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>I sincerely doubt that any of these streaming services will spell the end of traditional console gaming. It will definitely take some of the market share away, and the consoles may become a two party system, but the biggest issue with regards to any of these services is the dependence on a persistent Internet connection. There are other concerns like latency and image quality, but I imagine that despite all of these issues, Internet providers and game publishers are dying for such a solution. It not only makes it mandatory for an Internet connection, and a beefy one at that, but it helps trap you into a service, not a product. With that service comes the threat of losing all your games and saves should you no longer pay their fee.</p>