BitTorrent to Speed up Game Distribution
Written by Ernesto on September 15, 2008BitTorrent Inc. has partnered with two major online game providers, providing technology to accelerate the downloads of clients and patches. BitTorrent Inc. sees the online games space as one of their target markets, as there is a lot of bandwidth to be saved.
Last month we reported that EA had chosen the BitTorrent protocol to distribute the Warhammer Online Beta. Although it wasn’t an official partnership, it’s an indication that the use of BitTorrent is starting to become more mainstream. This is no surprise, as it is the ideal way to spread large amounts of data at low cost.
Today, BitTorrent Inc. has announced that it will use its DNA service to distribute clients and patches for Aeria and IAHGames, known for EA’s FIFA Online 2. BitTorrent DNA is used to stream and download content efficiently via BitTorrent, without interfering with VoIP calls and Internet browsing.
Eric Klinker, chief technology officer at BitTorrent Inc. said “BitTorrent is proud to be working with leaders in the massively multiplayer online gaming space such as Aeria and IAHGames. BitTorrent DNA thrives in this environment by giving online game distributors an ability to manage user-contributed bandwidth, boost delivery performance and enhance the end-user experience.”
“With BitTorrent’s advanced congestion control technology and game-play detection features, DNA ensures that gamers won’t have to suffer any delays or breaks in their game play while simultaneously downloading the latest software patch,” Klinker added.
Video streaming is another area where P2P content delivery might play a significant role in the future. NewTeeVee reports that YouTube might get on the P2P bandwagon, as the makers of PPLive are experimenting with a P2P accelerator for Flash streams. If it works, YouTube could save millions of dollars in bandwidth costs.
Finding an efficient way to use BitTorrent or P2P based video streams is one of the most difficult, but revolutionizing challenges for P2P developers. But we’re getting there, as early tests indicate that it is possible to stream video, even live feeds, with BitTorrent.
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30 Responses
Yet another valid reason to add to our arsenal when morons call bit torrent a “pirate protocol”
awesome!
sounds good,p2p is the future
When the industry “partners” with BitTorrent, is is natural to suspect that some fishy things are happening.
talk about this and much more
http://jereslack1.wordpress.com/
Looking forward to introduction p2p streaming. It’s a bit frustrating when the streaming speed from youtube goes down to 100-200 kilobits/s at peak hours…
Sounds pretty good news, just hope all this mainstream usage won’t somehow destory the great ‘piracy’ networks that use torrents.
it’s not piracy, it’s sharing!
Looks like the best way to combat bittorrent being throttled. ISP’s may struggle to throttle the technology if large companies start using it.
what about the poor sods with a small allowance per month
“When the industry “partners” with BitTorrent, is is natural to suspect that some fishy things are happening.”
No, not really. They’re just helping distribute their stuff.
Wow dude, BitTorrent totally ROCKS. As usual.
Jiff
http://www.privacy.cz.tc
“it’s not piracy, it’s sharing!”
lol
Yeah. It is hilarious. sharing is not caring for the future of art.
ok i pay full price and i give them my bandwidth for free.
well at least they can’t throttle bittorrent universally until they filter away all content that isn’t commercial.
P2P Video Streaming, sure, nothing too new but still interesting… especially on YouTube…
But implementing BT in games alltogether? Why not… the result practically can’t be bad…
YouTube spending MILLIONS on bandwidth?
That might be a small exaggeration there. How does YouTube make any money anyway?!?
I don’t know…
I could only see this as a problem fr the people who’s ISP count upload in their data allowances – unwittingly using up gig after gig as they leave their browser open…
Bittorrent only help good games more famous. The key word is “good”.
Excellent!!! BitTorrent protocol is the future and the present… :)
BTW; Does anybody know if there exist something as “P2P BitTorrent (only audio) streaming” or similar?
I hope it doesn’t become a total runaway hit. I don’t want YouTube and every other site I might visit to eat all of my bandwidth, and suddenly the internet is unusable because its busy giving away my bandwidth.
^^^
leecher, maybe?
There’s no free lunch here. The distribution costs will be passed onto the consumer.
Still can’t do it in countries like Australia.
Bandwidth costs are too high, most people have 256Kbps upload, and uploads are counted!
@19 – There is! It’s called peercast. It’s an old open source project. Not much activity now a days but it was a little tool to distribute streaming audio and video with p2p technology (unfortunately, they never adopted some of the better features of bittorrent, like swarming). Not many people use it now a days, but I still broadcast the hifi version of my radio station with it. http://wasteyard.co.nr
@24
Hi norm,
I know peercast, excellent program BTW… I have broadcasted with this and have obtained good results… but I would want to know if there exists a similar program but using BitTorrent protocol… :)
been quite awile since asian (mainly korean) games started using p2p similar tech to distribute their online games, but even though they use p2p they still dedicate high speed servers to make sure every1 will get high speed downloads
Don’t you think there’s always a “deal & catch strategy” hidden between this sudden partnership and recognition of a system; that use to be classified as a chamber of piracy for the pirated minded individuals alike. If i were you, I’d be sceptical about this new idea and find out more about the security risk and cost of using this on a long term basis……………The intricate Eelf Bee Eyes likes colourfully, scented flowers, so much they like to keep and pass it on.
Its a really good idea to spread games with torrents. If people have the software, why not use it.
http://www.nowtors.com
HAHA title should read get more games free via bit torrent …..yes speed up the net capacity and speeds give the kids time to play.
NO.
If my ISP is going to meter out and limit my bandwidth, I’m not going to use ANY of that bandwidth to help redistribute commercial products on behalf of other companies. Fuck that.
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