Topic: Fluffy Clouds (Read 4113 times)

Brentai · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:29:37 AM »

They are supposedly using a server cloud on their end, so yes it is cloud-based. Just like blast processing* or 64-bits though it's something that's being thrown around as the breakthrough technology when in fact it's completely irrelevant to the actual user experience.

* Double buffering.

Romosome · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:44:39 AM »

Yes and no.

Most WoW players have clients with all the graphic data stored on their end, but Streaming Clients have been used for game trials for a while, so new players that want to try it don't have to download 3 gigs just to give it a whirl.

It's still not the same as what this claims to do because WoW streams assets, which still have to be rendered by your specific hardware and graphics card, and OnLive claims it does the rendering and heavy lifting all on its end and essentially streams you an interactive movie (unless I'm not getting that right). Which is "cloud" computing even if it's a single server doing that rendering for you; it's gaming with your rig acting as a "Dumb Terminal".

Brentai · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:03:11 PM »

I suppose it'd help if at least one of us went and looked up what cloud computing actually is.

To summarize from Wikipedia, cloud computing is a style of computing in which the computational resources are shifted from the client into the cloud, resulting in an architecture in which a client does not need to install or process any resources locally, but rather receives data as a service from the cloud. That applies in this case because on the server side the software--

HISASHIBURI! CUROUDO!!!

Wh-- Dude, get the fuck out of here! I'm trying to explain something!

Cloud! I know he's here! He's a puppet! REUNION!

Damn it, we're not talking about that Cloud! Go the fuck out of here Sephiroth!

Who is this "Sephiroth" you speak of? SEPHIRI JOE DOES IT AGAIN!

Gaaaaaah... okay, okay, I can work with this. Let's just say Sephir... whatever here is a visual aid. Now, let's say Sephiroth is a "client", and the "program" he's running is... oooh... killing a dumb broad.

Hello.

Now, with normal, non... *cough* computing, Sephiroth would have to do all the work of killing the broad himself - falling, stabbing, giving his own speeches, and all that rigamorale. Oh, and let's not forget all the wasted wait cycles!

Do you know how fucking long I was up there, waiting for you to turn your dumb ass around? This style of computing isn't efficient at all!

But with cloud computing...

CUROUDO!!!

...with cloud computing, the "client" only needs to send some virtualized data, and wait for a response from one or several other processing sources. So in this case, it's as if Sephiroth simply called out for Aeritheses, and they themselves did all the work of getting killed, delivering themselves straight into the client's pipeline.

Wait, so you're saying I can just stick my sword out and she'll jump on it for me?

No. I'm saying you can stick your sword out, and they'll all jump on your sword for you.

Holy shit I just increased my efficiency by 400%!!! Thank you Cloud Computing! CUROUDO!!!!

And now you know. And knowing is half the AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaargh

REUNION!!!

Zaratustra · « **Reply #23 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:39:29 PM »

oh I see I kinda figured out that 'cloud computing' meant two or more servers in distinct locations worked in tandem to solve a problem (such as um SETI@Home) and that this was named "grid computing" or something

eventually I'll draw a map of the internet divided between Web, Net, Grid, Cloud and Tubes

Arc · « **Reply #24 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:02:53 PM »

Watched the demonstrations.

Noticed they offer five day rentals, and comes complete with an uncanny valley mascot, using technology they cooked up themselves.

TA · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:15:35 PM »

... well, shit. Only watched the Crysis demo, but that looks vaguely legitimate.

Wonder how it works in a non-techdemo environment. They say it's being processed remotely, but it's still probably an uncluttered pipe, not "home DSL".

Guild · « **Reply #26 on:** April 02, 2009, 04:41:00 PM »

i'll tell you exactly why consoles will never ever fucking die

no matter how much you computer kids whine

here's the reason: some people just don't want to fuck around with complex shit before they game. some of us were raised on atari, where you blow in a slot and jam the shit home and flip that switch, and if it doesn't work then you're already bored, but it does because that atari STILL runs like a goddamn champ even though my ps2 is broken

i know i was going somewhere with this, but i rather think it doesn't matter and can't be arsed to figure out where anyhow

Brentai · « **Reply #27 on:** April 02, 2009, 04:58:52 PM »

That's a pretty compelling argument for the death of the current generation of consoles, with their home menus and multigig installations and 24/7 internet connections and downloadable content and $600 price tags and what the shit isn't this just a crappy pc.

Royal☭ · « **Reply #28 on:** April 02, 2009, 05:22:43 PM »

Hey it's almost like PCs and consoles are beginning to become indistinguishable.

Alex · « **Reply #29 on:** April 02, 2009, 06:44:01 PM »

Other than where all the good games go.

Royal☭ · « **Reply #30 on:** April 02, 2009, 08:52:36 PM »

Play more games on PC than I do my XBox, and haven't found many games that I'd get for my 360 instead of my PC.

sei · « **Reply #31 on:** April 02, 2009, 10:12:59 PM »

Quote from: Guild on April 02, 2009, 04:41:00 PM

i was going somewhere with this, but i rather think it doesn't matter and can't be arsed to figure out where anyhow

UNPRECEDENTED

Arc · « **Reply #32 on:** April 03, 2009, 09:11:57 AM »

Joystiq:

Founder Interview Part 1

Founder Interview Part 2

Delves into the guts of their system arrays, reasoning for their business models, and the evolution of their tech.

MicroQuake!

Zaratustra · « **Reply #33 on:** April 03, 2009, 12:03:28 PM »

Most of it is what you would expect for a system set up like that (savestates used for pausing and loading later, record play, etc). He kinda addresses the distance issue, and as I expected, the hard numbers have suddenly vanished. 1000 miles means a ping from 30 to 100 ms, depending on line quality, number of routers and last mile. I have absolutely no idea how they'll handle two megabits per second for, say, ten thousand users.

Not much talk about pricing either. I'm thinking this will be a big bite if games have to be purchased instead of being available for rental or as part of the package.

Brentai · « **Reply #34 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:31:29 PM »

I haven't actually read into this, so don't you dare quote me on it, but I think the ping issue is where the multiple processing servers come into play. They're not breaking up the tasks of processing so much as all running the same processes at once, and sending packets back at staggered intervals. If timed right (and I couldn't even begin to tell you how the hell to do that), four content servers at 100ms ping would basically give you one content stream with 25ms ping. Of course, then you get into how the fuck to deal with input and !@#$@!@#!@##!@#@ I can see how they could have been fucking with this shit for nearly a decade.

Arc · « **Reply #35 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:54:37 PM »

Watched the hour-long presentation.

One issue that came up in the Q&A was multiplayer latency from one data center to another, and something few publications (if any) have mentioned was the possibility of clan/league creation for private games, or that through the SDK, developer's can watch players on their own betas.

Many writers have wondered who will eventually buy the company. Perlman says the company is perfectly open to partnerships at this time, and has said good words regarding Valve's Steam service. Everyone else has brought up Microsoft & Google, while Sony has all but taken themselves out of the running with their own trademark, while ironically issuing skeptical comments regarding price and tech.

If OnLive had been presented as Microsoft's OnLive, or Apple's OnLive, then the skepticism would have been tempered. However, the asking price for a buyout or partnership would likely be less.

Meanwhile, Dave Perry touts that his service will be more successful since... It doesn't require a 1MB download.

Arc · « **Reply #36 on:** April 06, 2009, 09:48:51 PM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ5beSLActM

Plans to move abroad.
Servers upgraded every six months.
Older servers reused or sold.
Ten low-performance games can run on a single server.
Similar to X-Box Live subscription process.
Energy savings for consumers.
Dispenses hot cocoa.
Dolphin free.

On Floor Demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7fq8NmiV8U

Devin, you're horrible.
Dude!
That looks like my driving.

JDigital · « **Reply #37 on:** April 06, 2009, 11:57:39 PM »

Does it come with that lap-keyboard-mouse thing too

Cthulhu-chan · « **Reply #38 on:** April 07, 2009, 12:53:47 AM »

They added a flight stick.

Guild · « **Reply #39 on:** April 07, 2009, 02:11:58 AM »

Quote from: sei on April 02, 2009, 10:12:59 PM

Quote from: Guild on April 02, 2009, 04:41:00 PM
i was going somewhere with this, but i rather think it doesn't matter and can't be arsed to figure out where anyhow
UNPRECEDENTED

my point was made, at least one person caught it

News:

Author Topic: Fluffy Clouds (Read 4113 times)