Is a gaming server possible?

[Farriscar]

Hello everyone!

I was presented with an idea that I don't actually think is possible, at least not in the way it was asked. I build all my own computer systems and have built for friends as well. The other day I was asked if I could build a system that acts as a server and that several people could connect to. The idea is that it would exist on an intranet and we would be able to stream media from it on several other machines, using the server's hardware to render the games rather than whichever PC/Laptop you want to access this from.

I was curious if something like this possible, I really don't think games can be streamed through ethernet efficiently even if the machine itself was a beast.

What do you guys think? Is this something worth looking into?

 

[tj_extreme]

You mean like an OnLive type service?

OnLive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Farriscar]

Yes, exactly that! Any idea what needs to be done to create a cloud in a home environment?

 

[iFargle]

I don't think it's possible... Services like OnLive have their own streaming codecs and whatnot. There'd be way too much lag for it to be practical, even over a local area network.

 

[Farriscar]

Oh well, maybe in a few years. Thanks for the replies!