Pre-Order Homefront, Get Free OnLive Console and Metro 2033

Cloud gaming service OnLive has announced a great deal if you opt to pre-order Homefront right now, offering a free console designed specifically with the online service in mind, as well free access to Metro 2033.

OnLive, the cloud-based gaming service that streams gameplay directly to your TV or computer, has been growing recently, and now, with THQ's Homefront being the company's first day and date release, it's making a very solid offer.

If you pre-order Homefront from now until March 14, you'll receive a free OnLive Game System, normally retailing for $99.

The micro-console is designed with OnLive in mind, and provides an easy-to-use interface in order to connect to the service.

What's more, OnLive members will also gain free and full access to Metro 2033, another title developed by THQ, which they can play until Homefront launches and after that.

"This is a watershed event: It’s the first time a game system has ever been given away with the purchase of a game,” said OnLive Founder and CEO Steve Perlman. “Homefront is one of the biggest games coming out this quarter, and we wanted gamers to see just how incredible is to have the hottest title playable with the instant-play, massive spectating experience on their HDTV that is only possible through OnLive."

"So, for the same money you’d spend pre-ordering Homefront on any platform, gamers get the platform with the game (and Metro 2033 to keep you busy till launch date). Quantities are limited. Get ‘em while their hot,” Perlman added.

OnLive has been steadily increasing its subscriber count as more and more people are getting into cloud gaming.

The mechanic is simple: an OnLive device is running the game and transmitting the actual gameplay on the Internet for the user to see and experience.

If you prefer to do all the gaming on your own PC, then Steam is offering a similar pre-order bonus, offering a free digital copy of Metro 2033 if you pre-purchase Homefront right now.

Homefront will be released on March 15, in North America, and March 18, in Europe, for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, as well as on the OnLive service.