Upstart OnLive takes aims at global console makers

The fledging company, called OnLive, said its service will allow users to play games on any TV and nearly any personal computer -- even stripped-down netbooks and PCs without graphics processors.

A console slightly larger than an iPhone connects TVs and broadband connections to the OnLive service, and is operated via a wireless controller. OnLive delivers games run on servers in the "cloud," rather than locally on a PC or a console.

OnLive, which has been in development for seven years, has deals in place with 10 publishers to provide new game titles when they hit the shelves. Heavyweights such as Electronic Arts (ERTS.O), Ubisoft (UBIP.PA), Take Two (TTWO.O), and THQ (THQI.O) have signed on.