Cloud could boost gaming

Gaming software developer THQ's CEO, Brian Farrell, says “gaming can come roaring back” with emerging technologies like cloud computing, as well as the opportunities in downloadable games and the brand extension potential offered by social gaming, reports Gamasutra.

Cloud computing-based gaming allows real-time graphics to be rendered remotely and streamed to the player's screen rather than generated locally by a PC or console. It hasn't reached mainstream consumers, but firms like OnLive and Gakai are working to get the technology.

"We like this idea of games in the cloud," says Farrell. "Why do consumers need to pay for the computing power of a dedicated console? If the consumer is comfortable with digital delivery, why doesn't that concept work where we can deliver great games and lower hardware investment in a digital world?"

Viewfinity has released version 2.5 of its cloud computing systems and privilege management solution for laptops, desktops and servers, reports eBizQ.

The solution is designed to provide capabilities that focus on reducing the cost and time related to IT operations and support by providing the most flexible, secure and manageable environment for in-house and mobile workforces.

"Our cloud computing software delivery model and extended privilege management features allow us to supplement or replace traditional systems management with no specialised IT experience required and no need to purchase and install a management platform and server," says Gil Rapaport, president of Viewfinity.

Salesforce unveiled its Chatter in private beta, bringing Facebook and Twitter-like capabilities to a select number of businesses using applications running on the Force.com cloud computing platform, reports InformationWeek.

The beta program includes corporations such as Reed Exhibitions, the Schumacher Group, and TransUnion. Participants are from various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, hi-tech, and professional services. They were chosen based on existing Salesforce technology deployments and potential Chatter use cases.

In unveiling the private beta, Salesforce released mobile capabilities for Chatter. Participants' employees will be able to access the service's real-time feeds via the BlackBerry or iPhone, with feeds providing updates on people, applications, and documents.