Jan 02

G-cluster Takes a Crack at Cloud-based Gaming

Posted in: Today's Chili

A Japanese company called G-cluster is looking to succeed where OnLive failed – make cloud gaming mainstream. It will demonstrate it’s capabilities later this month at CES 2013, but it has already released a handful of details regarding its service.

g cluster cloud gaming platform

Based on a September 2012 press release (pdf), the G-cluster streaming service works similarly to OnLive – users plug in a “Game Machine” into their HDTV’s HDMI port (and into a USB port for power), which will connect to G-cluster’s game servers via Wi-Fi. Unlike OnLive however, G-cluster mentioned that users will be able to use their mobile devices as gamepads or controllers, but “generic gamepads” will also be supported. Maybe the Game Machine has Bluetooth capability or additional USB ports.

g cluster cloud gaming platform 2

G-cluster says it has partnered with a variety of developers and publishers to bring games to their service. These companies include heavyweights such as Disney Interactive Studios, Ubisoft and PopCap as well as the likes of Frozenbyte (Trine, Shadowgrounds) and mobile game publisher Bulkypix. The company also mentioned that their service can also be used to deliver on-demand video to TVs and mobile devices. But as of now, the thing I like the most about G-cluster is their commercial:

The family that fights together, is Japanese. Head to G-cluster’s website for more information or you can wait shortly after January 9, which is when the company’s media event at CES 2013 will be held.

[via AVING]

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Dec 28

G-cluster delivers cloud gaming to the masses

Posted in: Today's Chili

Don’t you miss the good old days when certain words had meanings that are so far removed from today? For instance, ‘gay’ meant happy and without a care in the world, and ‘cloud’ was a noun used to describe those fluffy white things in the sky, and if you looked closely enough, you would be able to find angels strumming their harps and lyres while humming a soothing tune. Well, fast forward to the 21st century, ‘cloud’ has taken on an entirely different meaning, where it is now widely accepted in the computing world as a platform where your data and even processing can be done remotely, as everything is connected via the Internet to the cloud. It is an ideal way to work with your files stored on the cloud, and you need not worry about folks stealing some crucial files when you are on the move. Since we are on the topic of cloud services, how about moving from something serious like work to a more casual activity like gaming?

G-cluster is currently inviting IPTV and wireless operators and game publishers to jump aboard the cloud bandwagon, especially at CES 2013 that is happening in Las Vegas early next year. Basically, G-cluster is best described to be a fully-featured white label service that offers the largest deployments at scale, sporting the most deployed catalog of casual and AAA games, and they fully intend to debut their Game Machine platform so that operators are able to deliver premium and casual games to the TV, all done without having to own a gaming console in your living room in the first place.without the need for a gaming console.

You will still need the G-cluster Game Machine as an intermediary, however, where it will plug into the HDMI port on HDMI-equipped televisions while connecting to the home Wi-Fi network in order for one to access the service. You can then use a game pad with a wireless receiver, or smartphones or tablets, in order to dictate the gameplay on the TV, where you can choose to fly solo or with friends, where they will rely on other devices such as PCs, smartphones, or tablets.

Press Release
[ G-cluster delivers cloud gaming to the masses copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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