Google has announced that its video game project will finally be revealed at GDC 2019 in March. The company has been pumping a lot of money into gaming related projects in recent years. Last year’s public test of Project Stream is likely related to the Google gaming project that will be revealed in March.
Google’s upcoming video game project will be revealed at the March 19, 10:00 AM PT keynote. The company issued an invitation (thanks to Jason Schreier of Kotaku) that said, “all will be revealed at the Google Keynote,” which almost reads like an ominous threat to the future of our reality. It probably won’t be, but in case it is don’t say we didn’t warn you.
In reality, the keynote will likely fully reveal Project Stream, which entered a small public test last year. Project Stream is also related to something called Google Yeti, although the two might be one and the same. Project Stream was showcased in early October using Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Project Stream was received well, with many users highlighting its surprisingly low latency and high visual quality. Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry did a deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on Project Stream. The streaming service suggested a minimum of 25 megabits per second with higher download speeds helping provide higher visual quality and lower latency.
The Google gaming project has been in development for years and is expected to be focused on a game streaming service. Again, Project Stream is a good jumping off point as it allowed people on a variety of systems to use the service. People on lower end computers could reliably stream games using Google Chrome. It’s likely that Google has a service built for streaming games to Android devices as well.
Cloud game streaming has been in the works for years, with services like OnLive and Gaikai being melded into Sony’s PlayStation Now. PS Now is the most visible currently available cloud gaming service, although Microsoft and other companies want in on the market. PS Now uses a subscription model, ranging from $19.99 for a single month to $99.99 for a full year subscription. Google’s streaming service is expected to use a subscription model, although pricing is unknown.
Top Image: Google/Bandai Namco PAC-MAN 30th Anniversary Google Doodle.
