Nowadays, gaming downloading platforms meet huge success (such as AppSotre for mobile gaming or Xbox Live, Wii). Taking into consideration there is an opportunity there, Steve Perlman, founder and CEO : Onlive, want to set up a new start-up company as first mover of VGOD (Video Gaming On Demand).

How does it work ?

1) Plugin installation

2) Game choice

3) Direct connexion to the game

Consequently, we can operate a short SWOT analysis of this project. Waiting the release (forecasted on end of the year for US area and for beginning of the next year for Europe) where we will have the opportunity to measure strenghs and weaknesses, we can already focus on project potential measuring opportunities and threats.

Opportunities

Lower distribution cost

On one side, editors can lower their distribution costs and associated communication costs.In addition, they increase the product life cycle to their titles.

Community

We all know how important is a community now. If all make Onlive a success, this is a huge opportunity to implement a strong player community.

Threats

Need to propose attractive titles

In order to make a console a must, it is mandatory to have a games portfolio (”blockbusters”) titles which “rox”. Onlive should  prove itself. according to Onlive, the firm would have already firmed strong partnerships (Take Two, THQ, Atari, Warner, Eidos, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts)

Competition from console manufacturers

It is true that currently Onlive has no weapons to fight with Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft. Nevertheless, Onlive fight against obsolesence a console (it can withstand any medium) and it will be far more attractive to transit through this service rather than investing 500 or 700 dollars in a new console.

Need to set up strong IT infrastructure

In order to make them run, Onlive should set up a strong  IT infrastructure (meaning to invest huge budget in servers all over the world).

To conclude in a few words :

On paper, it seems awesome. However, as former VGM co-workers told me, we can wonder if  a game such as Farcry can perform through this model. And what about you ? Do you believe in Cloud-Based Gaming ?

Following a post in Mobinaute, we notice that Apple products (iphone or ipod Touch products) represent nearly half of mobile internet browsing in France. This is not a surprise in itself since this kind of terminals facilitate tremendously access to the web.

Note: Google Phone is already in this ranking.

Following an email from Anne-Sophie Brieux, we inform you about one “ecogeek” program.

22 millions of cellphones are sold each year in France. Less than 2 millions are refurbished. During the week of sustainable development, you can act and make a very simple and eco move emptying your drawers. Until april 8th, release date of film called “Nous resterons sur terre”, previews are organized all over France. téléphones portables sont vendus chaque année en France. Moins de 2 millions sont recyclés.

One used cellphone = one planted tree + one cinema ticket.

All previews from March 31 to April 8 on www.nousresteronssurterre.com

Last annoucement made by Skype should not seduce telephone operators. (which have already leveraged on manufacturers, mainly O2 and Orange)

Flepia, first coloured E-book, will offer following technical features:

• Touch Screen 8 inches
• Resolution : 268 * 1014 in 260 000 colours
• Storage 4 GO either nearly 5000 titles
• Connectivity : Bluetooth, Wifi
• Weight : 385g
• Dimensions : 240 * 15 8 * 12.5
• Price : 99 750 yens (about 800 euros)

Flepia Video