In view of the lack of success, there was already a lot of speculation, but nobody wanted to officially confirm it – until today: Google will disc ontinue the game streaming service Stadia.
With the game streaming service Stadia, Google wanted to enter the games business in a big way. Even their own development studios with well-known staff were set up to work on exclusive game content. However, the service did not come off the starting blocks as desired from the start.
The first consequence: the in-house development teams, including their own exclusive projects, were stamped out, but for a long time Google didn’t want to know anything about Stadia – despite all the rumors and speculation. Now the turnaround: Google is pulling the plug on Stadia!
Although the game streaming service was built on a strong technological foundation, it simply failed to generate the necessary “traction among users”. In short: Stadia was simply accepted and used by too few players.
That is the short and understandable reason why Google is now ending the experiment; appropriate steps have now been initiated. Until January 18, 2023, players will retain access to their game library and can continue playing. In this way, individual titles can perhaps still be completed or saves – if supported – can be transferred to other platforms.
Nevertheless, as of today, it is no longer possible to buy new games or add-ons or to take out subscriptions; the store has already been taken offline. Meanwhile, Google wants to refund all buyers of the hardware via the Google Store. This applies to the Stadia Controller as well as the Stadia Founder’s Edition, Stadia Premiere Edition or Play and Watch in the Google TV package. The refund option should also exist for all game and DLC purchases made via the Stadia Store.
Google has announced that it will close all of its in-house game development studios. Has the Stadia project failed with that?
