Console class gaming on tablets and smartphones received another boost today, thanks to cloud gaming company OnLive’s announcement of its new app for tablet and mobile platforms.The app is freely available for Android and the iOS platforms.

The company explained that the latest, top-tier, high-performance games - previously limited to only consoles and computers - will be available for instant play via the free OnLive app on over 500 million mobile devices over Wi-Fi or mobile networks.

"Through the free OnLive app, tablet and smartphone gamers can play top console and PC titles like Assassins Creed: Revelations and L.A. Noire - one of the most highly acclaimed, graphically sophisticated games to date - with exclusive OnLive Cloud Touch controls or with the new mobile-compatible Universal OnLive Wireless Controller.

Tablets and smartphones, the fastest-growing consumer product categories in history, are now capable of running the hottest, highest-end games. Gaming and mobile devices will never be the same," enthused Steve Perlman, OnLive founder and chief executive officer.

Growing library

The company elaborated that more than 25 OnLive titles, including L.A. Noire, family titles like LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and 5-7, and indies like Defense Grid Gold, will work with touch control on tablets and smartphones.  

The idea behind the offering is that users would be able to purchase a game once and play it on a multitude of devices, including PC, HD TV with internet access, notebook, tablet and smartphone. However, as it is cloud based, one does need to be constantly connected to the internet.

Additionally, the company has also launched a special wireless controller that can be paired with any of the above mentioned devices and which is aimed at making the cloud-based gaming experience even more console-like.

The company added that nearly 200 games in OnLive's growing library, including recent top-tier releases like Batman: Arkham City, Assassin's Creed: Revelations and Lord of the Rings: War in the North, playable on virtually any device with the Universal OnLive Wireless Controller.

 

 

Is this the future?

At present though, OnLive, which was launched in the US in June, appears to only be running in the US and the UK, but it still signifies what could result in a notable shift in how games are delivered, played, and on what devices they are enjoyed down the line.

It is also a particularly interesting development, as dedicated handheld consoles battle to prove their relevance in a tablet-frenzied world. Additionally, it further demonstrates the proliferation and popularity of cloud technology.

Whereas only a few years ago people resented having to be connected to the internet constantly to access their applications, it appears that cloud technology has leap-frogged this aversion. We will be keeping a close eye on whether OnLive delivers cloud based gaming to other international markets, including South Africa, in the future.

For a view of the concept in action, hit the video below.