HOLY MOLY.
Guys, I think Google might have done it again.
Or for the first time.
I’m not entirely sure what just happened.
Seriously, I’m a little bit blown away with what Sundar Pichai and his team just announced
over at GDC 2019.
Woah woah, hold on a minute - you might be thinking, who the hell is this guy?
He’s never been on Top 10 Gaming before.
Go away dude.
Well, I’ve got some important news, I’m a messenger from the future - I think, maybe
- there’s not much time - but Google just announced their brand new Console-less-gaming-platform
- STADIA.
And it looks - awesome.
What’s going on guys, and welcome back to Top 10 Gaming - for one time only, today I’ll
be your host Jack Finch - as we curiously take a look at everything we know about Google’s
Awesome New Console - Stadia.
Roll the clip.
I think?
Oh yeah, also - probably the most massive thing, is that although they only announced
it literally a few hours ago - STADIA is launching THIS YEAR.
As in 2019.
We could all be playing Cyberpunk 2077 on our phones before we know it.
Wait, you guys don’t have phones?
Okay, bad example - but you get the picture.
In a revolutionary new manner though, Google’s Stadia has some incredibly high aims - and
if the legendary technocrats can live up to their lofty claims - then I think a new golden
age of gaming may have just dawned.
Don’t worry, it’s not only on your phone - I promise.
That was just a joke.
First up - Google’s Data Center
Legit, this whole thing wouldn’t even be feasible without Google’s Insanely massive
remote Data Center, which in essence - rather than having an XBOX or a PS4 sitting on a
shelf - is going to be the entire base for STADIA.
Well, after trying this proto-technology in a live event with Project Stream in 2018 - where
Google managed to port Assassin's Creed Odyssey over a web browser at a consistent 60 FPS
- it’s pretty safe to say that Stadia has some proof in the pudding for it’s massive
claim that we may never need a console again.
Currently, Google has a swathe of remote data centers spanning over 19 regions and 58 zones
- and all you’ll need in the future, is an internet connection and a device - and
you can be playing 4K resolution games - and even 8K in the future.
For years, Google have been serious about building technology for everyone - and that
same mantra seems to have laid the foundation for Stadia.
Now, they didn’t really indicate what that means for existing IP’s and developer studios
- but the GDC conference seemed to have a close connection to Ubisoft - indicating a
strong partnership going forward with the platform.
Next up - Stadia Games and Entertainment
Yeah - although the ultimate relationship with Microsoft and Sony is unclear, Stadia
are carving forward with their own unique development studio - Stadia Games and Entertainment
- Google’s first own party game studio, where they’ve seemingly been working on
several titles in secret for the past few years.
The studio is being headed by Jade Raymond, the producer and executive producer behind
many of the Assassin’s Creed titles, as well as Watch Dogs and Splinter Cell Blacklist.
Now - while this many seem like it’s a pretty moot point, because of course - Google are
going to be producing their own games with such a revolutionary new platform - what Jade
Raymond seemed to be indicating is a massive step into the direction of VR and Augmented
Reality gaming, which - of course, it’s Google right - they’re already living ten
years in the future.
Raymond cited Star Trek’s holodeck as a smirked inspiration for her new direction
at the studio - so who knows, maybe we’ll be starring in our own Dixon Hill mysteries
sooner than expected.
Swinging in Next - What This Means For Game Developers
Google laid the point on heavy that they were aiming to revolutionise the way that developers
make games for an audience - and the most important fact we can glean, is that the entire
development process can take place in Google’s Data Center - as well as their own client
side version.
That is absolutely massive - as there hasn’t ever been anything like this in terms of technology.
Not only that though, but Google have also partnered with AMD to create a unique, personal
CPU to slap on their IPs - a chip which brings more than 10 teraflops of power.
10.7 to be precise.
Comparing that CPU to the likes of the Xbox One which has 6.0 - and the latest PS4 PRO
- which has 4.2 - then Google’s Stadia just kind of ate up the competition with one big
chomp.
To put it into perspective, Stadia’s CPU will be more powerful than Microsoft and Sony’s
combined.
If that’s not pedigree enough, they’ve also fully integrated several legendary development
platforms into Google’s new technology - using Linux and Vulkan on the backend - and partnering
with the Unreal Engine - as well as Unity.
Google are aiming for Stadia to be the most flexible development environment ever made
- and it seems that they’re definitely heading in that direction.
Coming in Next - What This Means For Players
Obviously - it goes without saying - but Stadia can’t really revolutionise gaming for developers
without leaving the players out.
The most impressive thing that struck me in the Stadia announcement, is that just like
with Project Stream - Google are giving players the potential of purchasing, starting up - and
dropping seamlessly into a video game with the click of a link.
On any platform.
Does that sound like wizardry?
Yes.
Because it pretty much is.
To put it into perspective, you could be watching a YouTube Video of a new game launch - and
you could hit the link provided - on your phone, your laptop, your desktop - and within
seconds, you could be playing the game.
Now, Google claims that they’ll be no download - no buffering - no latency - I’m not entirely
sold until I see it in action, but if their Project Stream is anything to go by - that’s
exactly what happened.
Google claims that they’ve been testing this technology behind closed doors for years,
and can consistently play games - merely through WiFi from their data centre - at an incredible
level of quality.
4K. 60 FPS.
HDR and Surround Sound - Google claims that they’ve built their technology exclusively
to scale up - with the target of 120+ FPS and 8K resolution being just around the corner.
In fact, they’re waiting for developers to catch up.
But finally - you might be asking, But Wait - What About The Controller?
And yes - of course, a mighty fine point - because we can’t really have a *console* announcement
without a new controller, can we?
And don’t worry, because Google very politely didn’t leave that out either.
Although the Stadia announcement demonstrated that you could go from playing on your MacBook
- to your Pixel 3 XL - then to your Desktop, and use both touch screen - or a keyboard
and mouse, switching the whole way - they also made a point that you can play on pretty
much any screen using the new Stadia Controller.
While being a little bit similar to the Xbox and Steam controller - there’s no doubting
that it exhibited all of the clean, sleek and fresh lines that Google are famous for
- and of course, it comes in a fine array of primary colours - the main point is that
the controller connects directly through Wifi - and then pings the game that you’re playing
remotely through Cloud Technology - all the way to Google’s Data Center.
Whether this claim lives up is another question entirely, but if it does - this will probably
be the only controller you’ll ever need.
Google also stated it will release with full cross-platform compatibility, which is pretty
huge.
Also, it has two very important buttons on it - as well as the usual control mechanics.
One of them livestreams whichever game your playing straight to your YouTube account - with
zero lag, and in the exact same resolution as you’ll be playing the game on.
And the other way, instantly pings Google Assistant.
So if you’re stuck on a certain section of Tomb Raider and can’t get past that one
puzzle - you just ask Google where to go next, and it will bring up the most relevant guide.
Yeah, guys.
I think it’s safe to say that we’re living the future.
Wow.
Honestly, if the claims that Google have made with Stadia are even remotely lived up to
- then it’s an exciting new time for gamers, developers and creators.
Obviously, no price point has been released yet - but expect some incredible more news
to be coming out of Google and GDC 2019 as the days go on.
Well - it’s been a short and sweet swing by, I’m fairly certain that normal viewing
will soon resume - it’s been a pleasure stopping by here at Top 10 Gaming.
Why don’t you let us know how you feel about Google’s latest announcement - as well as
any other gaming related thoughts in the comment section down below.
If you were a fan of this video, make sure to hit that thumbs up button - as well as
that subscribe bell, and I’ll be seeing you in the next one.
For one time only, I’ve been your host Jack Finch - you’ve been watching Top 10 Gaming
- and until next time, you take it easy.