Google Stadia is a cloud gaming service developed and operated by Google. Launched back in November 2019. And the launch was horrible. The technology was never fully there in terms of cloud gaming with a lot of lag and problems. The service barely had any players.
This is probably because the service placed itself in a very odd spot. The gaming cloud console is supposed to bring video games to the masses. With the players are not required to need any consoles. The cost is supposed to be cut along with all the loading. As the game will be cloud streamed to each of the devices. But Stadia at the same needs high-speed internet which is very inaccessible to most people. It is stuck in the paradox of tech. Internet speeds across the world were not ready.
This along with the fact that people had to buy the games at full price on the platform. Buying games that the players would not ever own. And for now, it finally came to a head with the cancellation of the service after 3 years. Even by last year, it was on death bed.
Statement from Google
For many years, Google has invested in multiple aspects of the gaming industry. We help developers build and distribute gaming apps on Google Play and Google Play Games. Gaming creators are reaching audiences around the world on YouTube through videos, live streaming and Shorts. And our cloud streaming technology delivers immersive gameplay at massive scale.
A few years ago, we also launched a consumer gaming service, Stadia. And while Stadia’s approach to streaming games for consumers was built on a strong technology foundation, it hasn’t gained the traction with users that we expected so we’ve made the difficult decision to begin winding down our Stadia streaming service.
We’re grateful to the dedicated Stadia players that have been with us from the start. We will be refunding all Stadia hardware purchases made through the Google Store, and all game and add-on content purchases made through the Stadia store. Players will continue to have access to their games library and play through January 18, 2023 so they can complete final play sessions. We expect to have the majority of refunds completed by mid-January, 2023. We have more details for players on this process on our Help Center.
The underlying technology platform that powers Stadia has been proven at scale and transcends gaming. We see clear opportunities to apply this technology across other parts of Google like YouTube, Google Play, and our Augmented Reality (AR) efforts — as well as make it available to our industry partners, which aligns with where we see the future of gaming headed. We remain deeply committed to gaming, and we will continue to invest in new tools, technologies and platforms that power the success of developers, industry partners, cloud customers and creators.
For the Stadia team, building and supporting Stadia from the ground up has been fueled by the same passion for games that our players have. Many of the Stadia team members will be carrying this work forward in other parts of the company. We’re so grateful for the groundbreaking work of the team and we look forward to continuing to have an impact across the gaming and other industries using the foundational Stadia streaming technology.
At least the games have been refunded. But for now it is just a new addition to the Google Graveyard.
After three tomultuous years, Google stadia is dead. At least the games are going to be refunded. But for now, it is just a new addition to the Google Graveyard.
Check out my other work at the following links:
https://sirusgaming.com/author/srinivas-naidu/
https://www.keengamer.com/author/srinivasa/
- New Marathon Game rumoured to be in development - October 24, 2022
- Bayonetta Voice actor misleads with her payment claims - October 24, 2022
- Black Adam Review: Dumb and Fun - October 24, 2022