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Walmart has begun serving cloud-based game demos on the Game Center section of its site, having struck a one-year deal for the same with cloud gaming startup Gaikai. Like with any cloud gaming service out there, the graphics are rendered in the cloud and then streamed to the user’s browser - all in real time, thereby eliminating the need to download or install anything related to the game.
VentureBeat was the first to report on the deal between Walmart and Gaikai. Confirming the deal, David Perry, CEO of Gaikai, told the site: “Over the next 12 months, when people see a video game on TV and want to try it out, they can be sure the fastest way will be on Walmart’s website. It’s an exciting time and you’ll see more sites around the world doing these stealth launches with us.”
A high-speed Internet connection is required to enjoy the streaming game demos. But if you are wondering whether your connection is up to snuff, the best way to know is to head over to Walmart Game Center. Only if your connection is fast enough will you notice an option to “Play Now”. This nascent feature only covers Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect 2 at the moment, with many more titles to follow soon.
According to the report, Gaikai will be compensated for every minute a user plays an in-browser game demo.
Comments are closed on this article
CaptainFabulous
June 23, 2011 at 6:50am
Hmm, I can't seem to find the ability to play the games on the website.
Rift2
June 23, 2011 at 1:41am
Someone get me a REAL job please I work at Walmart =)
I can write pretty good =)
Holly Golightly
June 23, 2011 at 12:42am
Oh, the deal sound great for both parties. It is great to see a competitor added to the competition. For a second OnLive was the only one as I could recall. I still prefer the idea of downloading my games. Though my broadband connection is relatively fast, I sometimes get outages. I really do not like the idea of logging online just to play a game. Although this feature will be in real time... Wouldn't there be some lag due to Ping and download speeds? Broadband providers need to rid those Data caps, because the online gaming industry is suffering with those caps.
Ghok
June 23, 2011 at 11:22am
Agreed. Although I have a pretty decent ISP and connection, it does stutter once in a while, and I can't imagine it working all that well without a huge data buffer. This is an interesting idea, but I'd rather just buy the game right now. In a world with no lag, there will be a market for this. I guess as a trial thing, it's not too bad an idea, but I'd have to check it out in action.
I don't think I've ever seen a self described "communist" who enjoys business competition as much as you.
Holly Golightly
June 23, 2011 at 1:24pm
Ahh, you are bringing up my communist thing on almost every post I make. Okay, there are businesses in a communist society, just like people work for money, in a Communist society. If there were no businesses, China would be a 3rd world country by now. In communism, we take the natural land resources for the government, and use the profit to benefit man. In otherwords, if the world was communist, private corporations like BP and Shell would not exist. Instead the people would own the land that has oil, gold, and diamonds. Those resources could be use to benefit man, instead of private businesses. Something as simple as Walmart having an online gaming zone means more benefits for the people, as prices are lower. Remember, just because I am a communist does not mean I do not want to live in the woods with no food or clothing. We are not a primative party. We are progressive.
Ghok
June 23, 2011 at 1:44pm
When have I ever brought up your "communist thing" prior to my last post? I honestly like having a communist here. I will say that there are different schools of communists, which is why most of the communists I know are a little more specific.
jason2393
June 23, 2011 at 12:11am
So, if everything is pre-rendered, can these games be played on the thin clients at my local university?
