Streaming blocks is the way most protocols work : VNC, RDP, maybe something else, whatever Onlive is using for sure.
I have to look into that. The lower the latency and input lag the better
Commercially or freely available are VirtualGL and microsoft RemoteFX.
I'd say the ideal "cloud gaming" would be placed in your own home
, or in communal housing, appartment complex.
Or in my case 10-12 miles away on a local server.
Something like Steam or app stores already deals with program and assets data. Let's base your home server on RemoteFX, then you can play from other devices, at least desktop and laptops. You need Windows Server 2012 ($882), maybe a Quadro K5000? ($2249), a remote-access Client Access License per gamer (over $100), and a hardware encoder card is preferable ($unknown, please contact us)
Cost is not an issue. Usability is. As long as there isn't high fps lag or random frame rate hiccups,hacks and crashes its ok. Saves can be logged to separate network that is managed by a separate contractor. The "gaming network" can be managed by a contractor that specializes in that.
A real "cloud" would have you manage a real server farm, with web front-ends, load balancing, administration of user accounts etc. This gets boring and maybe gamers would defame you and sue you if you lost their savegames
.
You also have to operate a Windows cloud, unless Steam on Linux works and takes off and has a good enough subset of games.
Not really a problem because the gaming network is well managed by professional staff and I am shielded civilly by a EULA that the user agrees to that waives thier right to sue me,my company, or any of my contractors from civil sues stemming from service interruptions and lost saved games and other irregular unfortunate inconveniences
If you wanted something easy technically you would just drop users in a Windows desktop, or a Linux desktop.
Why? A high end Windows based PC or Unix-like/Linux Box costs a lot of money even in 2012-2013. Maybe a thin client settop box or HD relay hub
In fact it would be nice already, and a lower hanging fruit, if you could just stream a XFCE desktop to your users. At home they would only need a thin client, ISP set top box, a "connected TV" or a piece of crap computer (pentium III 500, cheap tablet etc.), or a good one.
I agree somewhat. I was thinking of a touchpanel-gamepad(similar to what WiiU has implemented on its controller but does not have a video stream displayed on the controller's LCD)and a ARM based HD hub/set-top box. Cheaper than a PC and more interactive than a boring stale gamepad/controller or mouse and keyboard approach.Touch based gaming is easier to get into by Janet/Joseph Normal than a 15 button controller or a 104 key keyboard