A rapid increase in “Cloud” technology in 2011 changed the way users accessed their music, movie and web connections — it was only a matter of time before video gaming too moved to the heavens, so to speak. With the recent launch of services like OnLive, OTOY and Gaikai, this has become a reality that may change video games and their consoles forever.

Cloud computing is a phrase used to describe technologies hosted on a platform somewhere other than a user’s local machine, hence, ‘the sky.’ While the concept of using centralized technology for other users to access is the base foundation of the Internet, several technical aspects kept more advanced sharing concepts from being used, in particular, the advancements in the speed of processors and memory. Broadband connection speed and popularity and overall size of storage drives has allowed for items that were once best maintained locally to be broadly accessed in rapid speed using the Internet as a true conduit.

Enter gaming: long limited to local consoles due to the size and speed necessary for optimal graphics and gameplay intelligence. Cloud gaming now allows for a user to access games from anywhere with an Internet connection and viable graphics interface. There is no need to install software or insert a disk — it’s nearly instantaneous game play. Leading the charge is OnLive, a cloud gaming system that has already drawn rave reviews from industry insiders including Macworld and CNET. The user joins a subscription based service that gains them access to the OnLive game center where a user can play any of an impressive number of popular games including Assassin’s Creed II and Batman: Arkham Asylum. The OnLive center is accessible from computers, smartphones, a special OnLive gaming console and even some newer televisions. With such high critical praise and industry buzz, it is only a matter of time before others throw their hat in the ring.

Does this mean the death of traditional consoles? Not necessarily — traditional consoles still offer a wider breadth of titles and options like motion controls and Blu-ray playback. But there is no doubt, more and more users are giving cloud gaming a try and it may certainly be a game changer.