California startup OnLive plans a June 17 launch for a service that streams videogames over the Internet, meaning players can avoid buying expensive consoles or packaged software.

OnLive expects the US roll-out to feature blockbuster titles such as "Mass Effect 2" and "Assassin's Creed 2" which have been major hits with players using Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 videogame consoles.

"This marks a huge milestone for both OnLive and the interactive entertainment landscape as a whole, changing the way that videogames are developed, marketed, accessed and played," said OnLive founder and chief executive Steve Perlman.

"We are opening the door to incredible experiences for gamers and enormous opportunities for developers and publishers."

The news came during a Game Developers Conference where start-ups such as Spawn Labs on Thursday were among those taking videogames into the Internet "cloud."