Streaming games service launched

A new online video game distribution network hopes to revolutionise the way people play games and re-write the economics of the industry.

OnLive, to be launched at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, aims to let players stream on-demand games at the highest quality level.

The service could provide competition for Playstation, Xbox, and the Wii.

"OnLive is the most powerful game system in the world," said company founder Steve Perlman

"No high-end hardware, no upgrades, no endless downloads, no discs, no recalls, no obsolescence. With OnLive, your video game experience is always state-of-the-art," he declared.

Mr Perlman said that the company has developed a data compression technology that allows games to be powered on remote servers rather than on game consoles.

Users download games instantly through the OnLive MicroConsole or straight onto a PC or Mac. The MicroConsole also connects to any TV. All that is required is a high speed connection.

Gamers will be able to select from an on-demand catalogue of video titles stored on these data servers. The Palo Alto based company promises that the service will provide instant access to the most advanced games in the world, solo and multiplayer.

To date nine publishers have signed up including familiar names like Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, THQ and Atari Interactive.

'A world without consoles'

Initial reaction from the gaming press has been a mixture of the positive and the sceptical.

Sid Shuman of GamePro told PC World "When we finally got hands-on with OnLive, I gotta admit, I was impressed."

So far nine big game publishers have signed up to the service

Michael McWhertor of Kotaku.com admitted "We were a little suspicious of OnLive's capability to deliver perceptually lag-free on-demand games. But then we played a hasty online game of Crysis Wars on the service and became a little less suspicious. It seemed to work.

"Will it work in the wild? It might," concluded Mr McWhertor.

At VentureBeat, which is holding its own games conference called GamesBeat, Dean Takahasi said "OnLive's technology could eventually sweep through all forms of entertainment and applications, providing the missing link in helping the internet take over our living rooms."

"It remains to be seen if this is just vapourware," said Cesar A. Beradini of TeamXbox.com.

"The real question is what would happen if this actually works as promised? Is it the end of Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo as console manufacturers?" he asked.

From that standpoint Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities told USA Today "OnLive shows the potential for a gaming world without consoles" if the pricing is right.

According to Mr Perlman a new era for gaming is here.

"We've cleared the last remaining hurdle for the video games industry: effective online distribution.

"By putting the value back into the games themselves and removing the reliance on expensive, short-lived hardware, we are dramatically shifting the economics of the industry. Delivering games instantly to the digital living room is the promise game fans have been waiting for," he said.

Japan's February exports halved

Japan's exports saw a record plunge in February, falling by nearly half compared with a year earlier, according to the country's finance ministry.

Exports fell 49.4% year-on-year to 3.526tn yen ($36bn; £24.6bn), though this was in line with forecasts.

The latest data comes after figures for January showed year-on-year exports nearly halved that month as well.

The world's second-largest economy is suffering in the downturn as demand for its products has collapsed.

Surplus

Exports in January declined 45.7% year-on-year.

Japan, which is especially reliant on exports, has been hit as consumers worldwide tighten their belts in a move to cut costs.

"Japanese growth was exclusively dependent on exports," said Professor Noriko Hama at Doshisha Business School in Kyoto.

"It was natural that Japan would be hit a lot more severely than other countries."

Car exports dropped more than 70% for February. Car firms are cutting jobs and reducing shifts in response to slowing demand.

But on the upside, Japan's trade balance was in surplus in February after a record deficit in January, because the decline in exports was offset by a sharp fall in imports, which were 43% lower for the month.

This surplus last month, which reached 82.4bn yen ($841m), was the first in five months.

Japan, which is officially in recession, saw its economy contract by an annualised 12.1% in the last three months of 2008, the biggest contraction among developed countries.

The government is working on a third stimulus package, which local media reports have estimated will be worth 20 trillion yen.

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Obama pledges economic recovery

Barack Obama has told Americans he sees signs of economic recovery, but urged them to be patient and look beyond their "short-term interests".

The US president said his draft budget would build a stronger economy which would mean America did not face a repeat crisis in 10 or 20 years.

"We will recover from this recession," he told a prime-time news conference in Washington DC.

His $3.6tn (£2.5tn) budget faces its first tests in Congress this week.

Mr Obama said his economic strategy, and his new budget which was now being prepared, was based on creating new jobs, rejuvenating the housing market, and creating new liquidity and lending by the banks.

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Obama urged Americans to be patient

He stressed that immediate action was necessary, and urged both Congress and Americans in general to support his plan.

Opposition to the package, which features increased health care coverage, higher education spending and a new "cap-and-trade" system on greenhouse gas emissions, is coming from his own Democratic Party as well as the Republican opposition.

In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session that touched on the environment, the drugs trade and stem-cell research, Mr Obama said he expected "steady progress" in resolving disputes with Iran.

He said the status quo in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was unsustainable, adding that it was critical for the US to advance a two-state solution.

'Signs of progress'

In an eight-minute address at the start of the hour-long session, Mr Obama said his administration had "put in place a comprehensive strategy designed to attack this crisis on all fronts".

It will take time, it will take patience, and it will take an understanding that when we all work together... that's when we succeed Barack Obama The real persuader at work Justin Webb's America

"And we are beginning to see signs of progress," he said.

"The budget I submitted to Congress will build our economic recovery on a stronger foundation, so that we do not face another crisis like this 10 or 20 years from now."

"We have made the tough choices necessary to cut our deficit in half by the end of my first term - even under the most pessimistic estimates," he argued.

Mr Obama urged US citizens to be patient.

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Obama on Iran diplomacy

"It will take time, it will take patience, and it will take an understanding that when we all work together, when each of us looks beyond our own short-term interests to the wider set of obligations we have to each other, that's when we succeed," he said.

Asked about the flow of illegal drugs into the US, Mr Obama said his administration would go beyond the $700m plan announced on Tuesday to support Mexico in its fight against the powerful drugs cartels.

He also praised his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon, for his efforts against the cartels.

Budget fight

The stage is set at Congress for a tough fight over the budget with Mr Obama, who has been in office for barely two months, correspondents say.

There is little or no Republican support for this budget Mitch McConnell Senate Republican leader Responses to Obama's budget

On Wednesday, he is due to meet Senate Democrats in a bid to rally support for an increased deficit, reckoned to be $1.4tn for next year.

The House budget committee will begin writing its version of the budget plan the same day, and on Thursday the Senate budget committee will begin crafting its budget plan for 2010 and the four subsequent years.

Republicans complain that the draft budget expands government and raises taxes on the rich and some small businesses.

"There is little or no Republican support for this budget," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told Reuters news agency.

A Congressional budget office analysis released last Friday estimates that President Obama's budget would generate deficits totalling $9.3tn over the next decade.

"If these plans are carried out, we run the risk of looking like a Third World country," Mr McConnell was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Kent Conrad, the Democratic chairman of the Senate budget committee, is preparing to slash Mr Obama's 11% increase for non-defence appropriations to perhaps 6%.

"We cannot have debt pile on top of debt," he said.

"In the short term, yes, we have got to have added deficits and debt to give lift to this economy, but longer term, we have got to pivot."

Mr Obama is also preparing for a European trip next week that includes the London G20 summit on the global economic crisis.

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Clijsters poised to make comeback

Former world number one Kim Clijsters will hold a news conference on Thursday when she is expected to announce her return to professional tennis.

The 25-year-old Belgian retired in May 2007 and married basketball player Brian Lynch before giving birth to her first child in February last year.

Lindsay Davenport has revealed that Clijsters asked her advice on travelling the circuit with children.

Belgian newspapers claim Clijsters will return to top-level tournaments.

Clijsters was runner-up twice at the French Open and once at the Australian Open, reached two Wimbledon semi-finals, and won the US Open in 2005.

606: DEBATE She certainly has the game to give the current crop some trouble Stuart

Journalists have been invited to the northern Belgian city of Bree for a press conference on Thursday when Clijsters will "unveil her plans for 2009".

"For six or seven weeks Kim has trained here regularly, up to three hours per day," said a spokesman for Bree tennis club in Het Belang van Limburg.

"And I don't think that she does that only for exhibition duels. She seems fit, I don't think she is far from her best form."

Speaking last week, Davenport said: "Kim sent me an email with questions about how to travel and live with a child on the WTA circuit, so I think she will play tournaments."

And Clijsters' former coach Carl Maes admitted he would not be surprised if the Belgian did make a comeback.

"When she stopped I never said it would be the last time we would see her on the tour," he said.

"I think it's too early to tell but, somewhere in the back of her mind, it must be something that she's considering.

"If she's fit and wants to play then I think it's a possibility. I wouldn't be completely surprised."

Clijsters will play alongside Tim Henman, Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi in a series of exhibition matches to test Wimbledon's new Centre Court roof on 17 May.

She is also scheduled to play an exhibition at the Ordina Open in Rosmalen against Michaella Krajicek on 14 June, as well as two matches for the St. Louis Aces in the World Team Tennis league during the summer.

On confirming her retirement in May 2007, Clijsters said: "Time to marry. Time for children? Time for cooking and playing with my dogs. And particularly a lot of time with my friends and family.

"No more travelling. No more stepping in and out of planes. No more having to read gossip or lies in the papers."

Flintoff fit for third one-dayer

Andrew Flintoff has been passed fit to play in the third one-day international with the West Indies in Barbados.

The 31-year-old returned home after picking up a hip injury during the third Test in Antigua but rejoined the squad ahead of the one-day series.

"I've bowled as near to 100% in a net because playing in a match brings a bit more out of you," said Flintoff.

He was close to returning for Sunday's 21-run defeat in Guyana but said "we erred on the side of caution".

Flintoff added: "I've been bowling for the last week, bowled 10 overs over the previous two days and done my training and work. I was close to playing on Sunday but I'll definitely be fit for Friday."

England now face a selection headache as to who makes way for the all-rounder for the third match of the five-game series.

606: DEBATE Who should make way for Flintoff?

James Anderson and Steve Harmison both impressed in Sunday's match, while Stuart Broad excelled in Friday's opener.

Gareth Batty could be the man to make way - if England decide to operate without a spinner.

The series is currently level at 1-1 after England won the first match by one-run on the Duckworth-Lewis method in farcical circumstances.

Women's tennis chief to step down

Larry Scott is resigning after six years as chairman and chief executive officer of the WTA Tour, the governing body of professional women's tennis.

Scott will become a commissioner in a US college sports conference on 1 July.

After taking up the post in 2003, Scott helped secure equal prize money for women at Wimbledon and the French Open.

The American also helped the WTA land the largest sponsorship deal in the history of women's sport with Sony Ericsson at US$88m over six years.

"With women's professional tennis more popular than ever, the Tour in the strongest business position in its history and a fantastic senior management team in place, now is the right time for me to embrace a new challenge consistent with my family and personal goals, and leave room for the next generation of Tour leadership to take on new responsibilities," said Scott.

He will work with the Tour board on the selection process for the next chairman and chief executive

IPL confirms South Africa switch

The 2009 Indian Premier League will now take place in South Africa.

Security concerns in India forced organisers to seek an alternative host, with England a possible destination.

But IPL boss Lalit Modi opted for South Africa following talks with Cricket South Africa (CSA), ultimately because of the favourable weather conditions.

The tournament, which will feature 59 matches across six venues, will start a week later than planned, running from 18 April to 24 May.

The opening match will be played in Cape Town, while Johannesburg will stage the final, with Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London also venues for matches.

"We are very happy to confirm that South Africa will host the 2009 Indian Premier League tournament," said Modi.

If the choice is between no tournament and a tournament in another country, then we clearly prefer the latter Ranjit Borthakur, vice chairman of the Rajasthan Royals

"The South African public loves Twenty20 cricket and CSA successfully hosted the inaugural ICC World Twenty20. Both these factors weighed heavily in South Africa's favour."

CSA chief executive Gerald Majola expressed his delight, saying: "This is a great compliment to both CSA and our nation to be shown this confidence in our ability to hold one of the world's top sporting events at short notice.

"This event will strengthen the ties even further between South African and Indian cricket, as well as binding our nations even closer together.

"We are looking forward to hosting some of the world's best cricketers, and we can assure them they will be provided with the very best facilities to show their skills. We will do the IPL proud."

The unpredictable April weather was one of the reasons the IPL decided not to pursue its interest in moving the tournament to England.

"To be honest I'm not desperately surprised," England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We all know what the weather's like in April in England. When I got my first telephone call (from the IPL) I said I can't give you any guarantees about the British weather - nobody can."

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BBC sports editor Mihir Bose reflects on South Africa hosting the IPL

But despite missing out on the potential financial benefits that hosting the tournament could have brought to the English game, Clarke said he was pleased for the sport as a whole that the IPL had found a new home in South Africa.

"It's very important this tournament is played," he added. "The IPL is understandably in a hurry to get things organised. I'm just very pleased it's going to be played."

The decision is a major coup for South Africa, who will enjoy the financial benefits of hosting such a high-profile tournament as well as underline their readiness to host the football World Cup in 2010.

The tournament will feature the biggest and best names in the sport, including England's Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood.

"I'm a bit sad it's not in India," Fintoff told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Playing cricket out there in front of those crowds in that environment is special but I'm sure South Africa will do a great job."

Moving the tournament back by a week will have an impact on England's players as they need to return to prepare for the first Test against the West Indies, but IPL organisers will attempt to accommodate the ECB.

The overriding reason that we opted for South Africa was because of the weather conditions Lalit Modi

"It does affect our plans as far as the number of days that the ECB players will be able to participate," said Modi. "We're trying to see how best to schedule those matches and get them to play more and more matches."

Pietersen and Flintoff had both spoken publicly about their concerns over security in India, especially in light of the terrorist attacks in Lahore when Sri Lanka cricketers were the targets of fundamentalists.

Since then, Modi said he had no choice but to move the event because India's government could not guarantee safety and security resources, with national elections happening at the same time.

South Africa are also due to host elections during the tournament - on 22 April - but appear to have provided Modi with sufficient assurances over security.

England were thought to be the early favourites to stage the tournament in place of India, but it appears that the country's inclement weather has ultimately cost them.

"I would like to put on record my sincerest thanks to the England and Wales Cricket Board for their help and support," Modi told a news conference.

606: DEBATE Good decision in the end. TV rights, weather and politics doomed England chances to host it FromNY

"We were in negotiations but the overriding reason that we opted for South Africa was because of the weather conditions, which are a lot more favourable there than in England."

Ranjit Borthakur, the vice-chairman of the Rajasthan Royals, said: "We are disappointed the tournament is not being held in India, but if the choice is between no tournament and a tournament in another country, then we clearly prefer the latter.

"The atmosphere and the buzz the matches create in India cannot be replicated.

"Having said that, now that the tournament is in South Africa, we are happy that the tournament is happening and going forward."

There are other factors that render South Africa a more attractive option, including television timings - South Africa is closer to India in terms of time zones - while the cost of holding the tournament is reportedly cheaper in the African nation.

The TV rights issue in South Africa is also more straightforward, with Supersport holding the rights to the IPL as well as international cricket in the country.

That is not the case in England, where Sky hold the broadcast rights to all cricket played in England - but rival Setanta bought the UK rights to the IPL last year and showed the inaugural tournament.

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose also believes the South Africa government played its part, saying: "South Africa have clearly provided the Indians with the sort of guarantees they were after.

"The weather was a factor, but I also understand from talking to various people that the South African government came in in a very strong way. With a lot of spectators expected to move around, issues like visas are also crucial and all of that has played a part."