PlayStation 3, Vita Getting OnLive Integration?

With less than two weeks before the start of the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, rumors have surfaced suggesting Sony could be integrating its devices with the cloud gaming service OnLive. Microsoft has begun to offer cross-device gaming between Windows Phone devices and the Xbox 360, where games can be saved on one device and resumed on the other.

The rumor originally surfaced from VG247, who said content would be streamed from the PlayStation 3. The deal will be announced on June 4, and will allow either Gaikai or OnLive games to be streamed from the "PlayStation hardware," Tom's Guide reported. Whether that includes the PlayStation Vita remains to be seen.

VG247 previously said in a preview of E3 2012 there would be a "partnership deal between PlayStation and a lead cloud gaming service" though it didn't develop the statement.

"If you don't have a PS+ [PlayStation Plus] subscription, now is the time to get one. For real. Just get 3 months if you aren't sure. Trust me," SCEE PlayStation Plus Content Manager, Ross McGrath, said in a tweet. PlayStation Plus is Sony's premium subscription service, offering access to or free games.

OnLive has previously said it would like to work with Microsoft and/or Sony, rather than being an alternative.

"Absolutely, they would make great consoles. Our controller is a hybrid between the PS3 and an Xbox controller. It's all compatible, it would just work. There are OnLive guys chatting, but we'll see where it goes. But it would absolutely work, we're ready to work with anybody.

"What people are realizing is and waking up to is everything could be on a console, why shouldn't you be able to take your game everywhere. I think the timing of this is perfect," OnLive Vice President of Engineering - Joe Bentley - said in an interview with ComputerAndVideoGames during June 2011.

Bentley also added during the same month that it had conversations with Valve, and said the company liked the service. "He [Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve] sees us a[s] complementary in a lot of different ways," Bentley said.

The service also launched in the UK during autumn 2011. OnLive is a subscription-based service and games can be streamed to desktops, tablets and smartphones. Gaikai is currently streaming demos to Web sites such as Facebook. Both services are coming to Smart HDTVs in 2012.