Google Unveils Stadia Video Game Service

BYAron A.Updated on September 26, 20223.1K Views

Google vice president and general manager Phil Harrison shows the new Stadia controller as he speaks during the GDC Game Developers Conference on March 19, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Google announced Stadia, a new streaming service that allows players to play games online without consoles or computers.

Google's gearing up to shift the video game industry with Stadia.

Google is gearing up to launch a Netflix-type platform, except for gamers. The tech company unveiled their plans for their new platform called Stadia earlier today. The gaming service doesn't have a console for it. Instead, Stadia will be able to work on any sort of television with Chromecast, computers with Google Chrome and Google's Pixel devices. No download is needed for the games. Users can simply stream their favorite video games over a Wi-Fi connection. The platform is set to launch later this year.

Speculation that they were about to enter the video game industry began earlier this year. The announced Stadia at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

While they don't have a console that comes along with their platform, there is a Stadia Wi-Fi-connected controller that's set to release. The controller has a similar look to PlayStations but it does have two unique features on them. The controller includes two buttons -- one that connects to Google Assistant, and another one that captures highlights from the game and shares it on YouTube.

Google's latest innovation arrives at the peak of popularity for live streaming. VP and GM Of Google, Phil Harrison, spoke to CNN about the new product, saying that it connects the worlds of YouTube and video games together.

"One of the great things about Stadia is the power of linking the world of YouTube and game play together," said Harrison. "If I'm on YouTube and I'm a creator talking about NBA 2K, the latest basketball game, I can invite my fans, my audience [and] my subscribers to join me in that game."

About The Author

Aron A.

Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.