Google is working on its own video game console and entire platform to support it, according to an exclusive report by Kotaku.
The PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch are the major players in the video game market, each offering unique advantages for the player population. How will the Google gaming console compete against these devices?
Google Video Game Platform In The Works
According to Kotaku's Jason Schreier, Google is working on a video game platform that will allow the company to take on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
While specific details about Google's plans to enter the video game industry remain hidden, the report claims that there will be a three-pronged approach.
First, Google will look to attract video game developers into its umbrella, though it is unclear if that will be made possible through aggressive recruitment campaigns or through major acquisitions of video game studios.
Second, Google will be launching hardware for the project. It also remains unclear if Google will be looking to challenge the processing power of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One or if it will be a cheaper console. In any case, rumors claim that it will link to the third part of Google's plans.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Google's platform will offer some kind of video game streaming service, which is codenamed Yeti. Google reportedly met with several major video game companies in March at the Game Developers Conference to gauge interest in Yeti. Sources also said that Google hosted meetings at the recently concluded E3 2018, looking to invite developers or purchase studios to work with the service.
Google Video Game Streaming Service
Similar to the GeForce Now service of Nvidia, Google's video game streaming service will allow the work of graphics rendering to be offloaded to powerful computers elsewhere. This will give players the ability to play games that require high-end processing on even the cheapest devices, removing the barrier of hardware costs.
There have been previous failed attempts at such an ambitious service. The most famous example would be OnLive, which had to shut down because internet connections were not fast enough to eliminate lag and video compression.
However, if any company would have the resources to make a video game streaming service work flawlessly, it would be Google.
It should be remembered that Google has been known to abandon projects, so until an official announcement is made, gamers should not expect that a high-powered video game streaming service will come out of Google. If it does, however, a Google video game console might have what it takes to challenge the big names in the market.
