AMD Invests in CiiNOW to Usher in Next Era of Cloud-Based Gaming

[btarunr]

AMD today announced an investment in CiiNOW, a provider of cloud gaming technology that enables game publishers, retailers and carriers to tap into the growing video game market expected to reach $81 billion by 2016. AMD, through AMD Ventures, has invested in this innovative software company serving a large and growing market that can create better end-user experiences by taking advantage of AMD technologies. With the investment and strategic collaboration facilitated by AMD Ventures, AMD and CiiNOW will work jointly to enable the best online gaming experience possible through a vibrant worldwide developer ecosystem and differentiated hardware.

The cloud gaming industry, which was once thought of as technologically impossible, is now disrupting the gaming market for both consumers and game publishers as more and more casual and hardcore gamers are making the jump to playing games online. CiiNOW addresses this trend with the first cloud gaming solution powered by AMD Radeon graphics that offers a cost-effective, end-to-end solution that includes the full suite of required hardware and software components. CiiNOW delivers a high-speed, low latency streaming solution with up to eight HD streams per server blade, and up to 272 HD streams per server rack for HD-quality game streaming instantly from the cloud, providing ubiquitous game streaming across all subscribers, devices and access technologies.

"CiiNOW is on the cutting edge of online game streaming technology, and it's clear we share the same vision to drive the cloud gaming industry forward and ultimately provide the best gaming experience," said Manju Hegde, corporate vice president, Heterogeneous Applications and Developer Solutions at AMD. "AMD's investment signifies our mutual drive to liberate gamers from today's constraints and move us to the next era of digital content."

To further advance cloud gaming, CiiNOW announced today the general availability of its gaming solution which provides a new, high speed platform powered by AMD Radeon graphics. The company's patent-pending hardware and server management technology have been architected for scale, cost and ease of service deployment, making it easier than ever for game publishers and service providers to meet consumer demand for high-quality online multimedia services and entertainment.

"The combination of CiiNOW's turnkey cloud platforms powered by AMD's best-in-class GPU hardware makes AMD an ideal technology partner for CiiNOW," said Ron Haberman, chief executive officer and co-founder of CiiNOW. "Game publishers, retailers and carriers now have a technology solution they can employ to deliver a best-in-class cloud gaming solution as the industry continues to transition from physical media to digital distribution."

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[eidairaman1]

Might be a good business move but im not a believer in pulling the entire game off a server and relying on them to do full workload. It puts too much control in their hands. I can see a try before you buy approach but thats about it.

 

[D007]

Nice someone is making money.. The rest of the world isn't... All these billions flying around and every country is broke.. Well a few people aren't broke apparently..

 

[TheGuruStud]

Nice someone is making money.. The rest of the world isn't... All these billions flying around and every country is broke.. Well a few people aren't broke apparently..

I'm not sure of the relevancy...
But the top 1% always gain money (leading up to and) in economic downturns. That's where the money is going. It's engineered to flow into their pockets. More for them and less for everyone else. We've surpassed 1929 pre Great Depression's unequal wealth distribution.

I don't see how this kind of service can take off for games that rely on low latency. Isn't that what everyone plays?

 

[UbErN00b]

I'm not sure of the relevancy...
But the top 1% always gain money (leading up to and) in economic downturns. That's where the money is going. It's engineered to flow into their pockets. More for them and less for everyone else. We've surpassed 1929 pre Great Depression's unequal wealth distribution.

I don't see how this kind of service can take off for games that rely on low latency. Isn't that what everyone plays?

They claim to offer a low latency experience.

That said Onlive said the same and well what happened to them?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

That said Onlive said the same and well what happened to them?

OnLive are still in business. but the general idea hasnt been as successful as they think they hoped it would be.

the bottom line is, you might be able to rent a game for cheap but nothing beats owning an actual copy of the game to boot.

I dont think theres much of a market for it anyway. In any case, steambox or the android based console will soon be available.

 

[eidairaman1]

I'm not sure of the relevancy...
But the top 1% always gain money (leading up to and) in economic downturns. That's where the money is going. It's engineered to flow into their pockets. More for them and less for everyone else. We've surpassed 1929 pre Great Depression's unequal wealth distribution.

I don't see how this kind of service can take off for games that rely on low latency. Isn't that what everyone plays?

Reason Games are Low Latency is because In order for it to be possible, a fast computer with a fast lanport, a modem or other network connection that can handle it and then servers.

I remember Using 56K with a Celeron Machine, moved up to a P4 and it was light and day in even the connection despite the connection being 56k

 

[azzonie]

OnLive are still in business. but the general idea hasnt been as successful as they think they hoped it would be.

the bottom line is, you might be able to rent a game for cheap but nothing beats owning an actual copy of the game to boot.

I dont think theres much of a market for it anyway. In any case, steambox or the android based console will soon be available.

Onlive is barely alive. They have been sold 2 times now? I see many problems with a service like this from a consumer point of view that would however benefit publishers. Most of the gaming community does not want but they will keep trying to shove this down our throat as a way to stop piracy.