While Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to battle it out with each respected video game platform for the past two decades, Google decided to enter the realm of interactive entertainment with Stadia. But rather than shipping a conventional console, Google went with a bet on the future: cloud streaming. And while the platform does stand to be sufficient with its technology, it is not established alike pre-existing competition.
And while Stadia is still in its infancy with plenty to grow from starting so late into the race, Google decided to pull the plug on its first-party division, Stadia Games and Entertainment. The firm was then headed by former Ubisoft veteran Jade Raymond who went on to form Haven Entertainment Studios. Additionally, a report surface saying that the decision to close the in-house developer was to blame Microsoft’s purchase for Bethesda back in fall 2020.
In a previous report from Business Insider, it is discovered from sources within Google that Stadia is beginning to be neglected for a new project – Google Stream. It appears that the firm is revitalizing the original framework of what was ‘Project Stream’ before Stadia and will strip the technology from Stadia to the new initiative underway.
The report does answer one question from this past The Game Awards. During the December show, Google in a surprise advertisement went on to feature Google Play Games which directly integrates Android-powered titles for PC bringing a native experience to the platform. Especially with the annual event previously being a platform for Stadia in the past, this caught many off guard – even those that don’t use the platform.
During the fallout of Stadia Games and Entertainment, we watch the metamorphosis of Typhoon Games. Originally, the studio was acquired to be a first-party team after the success of Journey to the Savage Planet. However, the firm later went on to obtain the rights to the IP once the Stadia team shuttered and was rebranded into Raccoon Logic. You can read the full report by heading here.
Are you surprised with the change of pace Google is making for Stadia?
Source: Business Insider