OnLive, which calls itself the pioneer of on-demand instant-play video games, has announced a new $9.99 per month PlayPack flat-rate plan, which can be cancelled at any time. The subscription package is immediately available in beta to OnLive Game System owners and will be available to all OnLive members on January 15, 2011. OnLive will continue to offer its current free trials, three- and five-day rentals, and Full PlayPass options for à la carte new-release games in addition to the new PlayPack flat-rate plan.
OnLive has also started shipping the OnLive Game System, a $99 MicroConsole and controller bundle. The PlayPack game library will steadily expand; right now it comprises of Prince of Persia, NBA 2K10, Tomb Raider: Underworld, F.E.A.R. 2, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X., Unreal Tournament 3, Vin Diesel Wheelman, LEGO Batman, Defense Grid Gold, Saw, and World of Goo. The PlayPack flat-rate plan will comprise of more than 40 high-quality games when officially launched. Like all OnLive titles, PlayPack games play instantly on TVs, via the OnLive Game System, or on a PC or Mac via a small browser download (some PlayPack games require a mouse and/or keyboard).
"OnLive's new PlayPack plan is another example of unique value and convenience unlocked through cloud gaming technology," Steve Perlman, founder and CEO of OnLive, said in a statement. "People love flat-rate plans for instant-play media, so it's exciting to introduce this offering to the video game market for the first time. With PlayPass games priced from $3.99 to $49.99, along with the new $9.99/mo PlayPack plan, OnLive's growing library of games will suit any budget and any type of gamer, from casual to hardcore."
OnLive has a chance to become the Netflix of gaming given that it streams its content directly to the user for a monthly fee. The only issue is the purchase of the actual console: Netflix doesn't have a fee for getting started, which has definitely helped it take off.