Pre-Order HomeFront from OnLive and Get Free System and Metro 2033 PlayPass - Caveat Emptor

This seems a bit of an odd deal to me but I thought I would share with you anyway. If you pre-order Homefront through OnLive, the games-on-demand streaming service, you can get a free system to hook up to your TV and a free PlayPass for Metro 2033.

The system itself is usually $99 but you’d only need to pay taxes and shipping. Now, the PlayPass for HomeFront is $49.99 which is ridiculous since you don’t get a local copy of it so you can only play as long as you are a member of OnLive. I can’t say I’m sold on this set up and pricing scheme yet.

Purchase a Full PlayPass for “Homefront” between February 25, 2011 (2:00 PM PST) and March 14, 2011 (11:59PM PDT) and receive a promo code for a Full PlayPass to “Metro 2033” shortly after purchase.

A limited number of OnLive subscribers will also receive an email after March 14, 2011 (11:59PM PDT) containing a promo code for a FREE OnLive Game System. Shipping, handling and tax for the OnLive Game System not included. The free OnLive Game System offer is valid during “Homefront” pre-order while supplies last. Promo codes for “Metro 2033” and free OnLive Game System (while supplies last) must be redeemed by March 31, 2011 (11:59PM PDT).

This second paragraph sounds like you might not get it even though you pre-order as required. They don’t state how many a ’limited number’ is nor could I find anywhere that said whether or not they were still available.

Terms are subject to change without notice. Only valid within the contiguous United States while connected to the OnLive Game Service. Game purchases are not transferable. No cash value. Game pre-orders may be cancelled and refunds are available at any time before the game is released on the OnLive Game Service. Cancellation of the pre-order cancels offer promo codes, the “Metro 2033” Full PlayPass, and the free OnLive Game System offer.

I don’t believe that I could recommend this offer even though the OnLive service itself is quite cool. I have been using my Acer Aspire One netbook with has a 1Ghz Atom processor and 1GB of RAM to play games like Mafia II, Batman Arkham Asylum and more because I am traveling to visit friends. However, the streams often get pixelated on Wi-Fi and look quite poor.