Here is everything we know so far about Google gaming service
Most major tech companies have found themselves apart of the gaming sector of the entertainment industry including Amazon with Twitch, Facebook with Oculus and Microsoft with Xbox. Although Google has been hinting the idea that there is something big coming soon for years, this time it seems like a major Google gaming announcement is ahead, perhaps including Android or browser-based gaming service. Here is everything we know so far about Google gaming service and its entry to the gaming sector before its first-ever appearance at Game Developers Conference.
Google has explained its upcoming reveal at the Game Developers Conference as “vision for the future of gaming”. Based on what was reported until now it appears that it will most probably be a cloud gaming service, perhaps a result of Google’s project Yeti that was in charge of creating a new streaming service with no limitations. This means that Google gaming service would work on the principle similar to that of Spotify, Netflix and other streaming services by streaming games over the internet without the need for high-end hardware.
In the past few years, several companies already joined in on the cloud-gaming which include large data centers that run the games while the player is on the other side of the world commanding it. From Microsoft with its xCloud that is expected later this year, EA with its Project Atlas, Verizon with an already running service to Valve, Amazon and Nintendo which are also finding their way in. Everyone wants in. Google has also previously launched a test version of what might be coming tomorrow with its Project Stream. It worked through Chrome browser and allowed users to play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey completely online under only one condition, strong internet connection. This attempt showed to be quite successful making us hopeful that the final gaming service would be like that too.
There is very little known about what the service would look like but the chances that it will include some kind of Google hardware are quite high. As the Google GDC teaser was shared by the company’s head of hardware, Rick Osterloh, it gives the impression that Google gaming announcement might be under Pixel brand. On the other hand, Jason Schreier from Kotaku has previously revealed that the hardware element will be only one out of total 3 components while the other two are expected to be streaming and in-house developers division. If we look at currently offered hardware, one stands out with the potential idea how Google might deliver its gaming service: Chromecast. Even though Google might not necessarily use Chromecast itself but rather something new, the device can already be used to play Android games from the smartphone on the TV. Similar device would be lightweight, cheap and easy to store solution for the service.
Based on the leak that was revealed recently, Google gaming service might come with a newly designed peripheral, a Google controller. By the looks of it, the gamepad seems like a combination of the Ouya controller and the popular PlayStation’s one. Of course, it makes a lot of sense to provide its users with the controller that would go along with the Google gaming service as people would then opt for that rather than the one from Google’s competitors. Moreover, as cloud gaming services fairly often come across connectivity issued and console games are less affected, this might be the first step Google takes, maybe even before the mouse-and-keyboard option is added to the service.
After taking a closer look, it appears that Google won’t be getting itself into gaming alone as the list of the early partners that will be joining it at the Game Developers Conference include a couple of interesting names. First is Id Software and its shooter franchise Doom, followed by Ubisoft representative. Other guests include a representative from Tomb Raider and other game designers. Despite being on the list, it does not explain up to which point are they involved in the Google gaming service or whether they are involved at all. Based on all of this, there is a chance the first games offered on the Google gaming service include Assassin’s Creed, Doom and Tomb Raider which gives an impression that Google is striving more for a single player game with the console, rather than just an Android game streaming service.
In the late afternoon tomorrow at the Game Developers Conference, it will be revealed what is Google’s first step into the gaming industry, what the Google gaming service will be like and at what cost. Stick around for more information coming soon.
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