Some believe the future of the gaming console is, ironically, not a console at all, but an expanded platform that would allow full compatability for all games and for all users. Essentially, this sounds like the long-rumored 'one console' theory many have hypothesized about for some time. Imagine a world where it isn't necessary to upgrade your gaming console, home computer, or even swap discs (in any format) to play the latest title. While this may sound like fantasy land, at least one company is that much closer to bringing this dream closer to reality.

The OnLive gaming service, which uses clusters of cloud-computing to handle the most graphically intensive processing work, is finally set to release their work onto the masses this summer. June 17th, to be exact.

If that date sounds familiar, it should be, as OnLive is timed to coincide with this year's E3 extravaganza in Los Angeles. After years of research and meticulous beta-testing, the company is ready to join the ranks of Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, and countless others who have found both success and failure in establishing a new platform for users to experience the latest game titles. But as expected, OnLive is looking to - literally - completely change the way players experience their games. If successful, their model would make hardware practically irrelevant, and would bring even the most graphically-intensive, CPU-hogging games to those with capable internet connections and minimal hardware.

Those looking to join the cloud-computing revolution will need to pay $14.95 per month to access the service, which will allow them to purchase or rent games on-demand, as well as such staples of the online gaming community as gamertags, user profiles, friends list, and more. Future updates to the service will include features such as instant-play free game demos, multiplayer across platforms (PC, Mac and TV ), Brag Clips video capture and posting, massive spectating, always-updated games, and the ability to cloud-saved games-pause and instantly resume from anywhere, even on a different platform.

As hinted above, the OnLive launch will be for PC and MAC users at launch, as the company has yet to announce the availability of their touted MicroConsole TV Adapter, which will bring the service to compatible television screens. PC and Mac users will hav to download and install a small browser plug-in to get things up and running.

OnLive has yet to unveil pricing for game purchase or rentals, although users can look forward to plenty of options when the service goes live in June. Popular titles like Assassin's Creed 2, Mass Effect 2, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Borderlands, Dragon Age Origins, and many more will be available to help kick things off. The company is planning to offer fuller details on pricing before E3.

But it looks like they won't be alone in the revolution, as at least one other company (most notably, David Perry's upcoming Gaikai service) is also ready to join the cloud-computing gaming revolution.  Game experience for streaming services is said to reflect the user's actual location, in respect to available data centers, as well as the speed of their internet connection.  Also left unanswered is the ownership of purchased titles through the service, which would effectively become unplayable once the user ends their subscription service.  Let's hope these answers - and many more - are in store for the company's anticipated showing at E3 2010.

Popzara