Yesterday, a company called OnLive released a service that could break the cost barrier of game consoles and high-end PCs. After seven years in development, OnLive has developed a svelte set-top box that will allow users to access the "latest and most advanced games instantly, on any TV via a sleek, inexpensive MicroConsole, or on almost any PC or Mac" essentially utilizing a demand-based gaming model.
The advantage is OnLive virtually eliminates the upfront cost of buying a gaming console or PC and the upgrade costs that go with purchasing these gaming systems. The OnLive platform is currently supported by Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive Software, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, THQ, Epic Games, Eidos, Atari Interactive and Codemasters. An obvious extension of the demand-based gaming platform is an eventual demand-based entertainment platform where one could also view and access movies, download and/or stream music, shop and interact online and so forth. However, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have struggled selling this vision of an online living room hub to gamers, specifically, and consumers, in general. Time will tell...but, clearly an interesting new entry into the gaming world.