In a move that is sure to raise plenty of eyebrows, and worry Stadia supporters, Google has announced they're shutting down SG&E (Stadia Games & Entertainment) and no longer doing first-party games.
They make it clear in the announcement that Stadia as a platform isn't going away, and they believe game streaming is "the future of this industry" and so they will "continue to invest in Stadia and its underlying platform to provide the best cloud gaming experience for our partners and the gaming community". It gets more interesting though, as Google said they will be expanding to "help game developers and publishers take advantage of our platform technology and deliver games directly to their players" and they will be working with partners who want a streaming solution.
Google clearly mention how costly it is to create big AAA games, and as Amazon have seen it doesn't always work out and burns a lot of money. Instead, the focus will be to "focus on building on the proven technology of Stadia as well as deepening our business partnerships" and on that note they mentioned that Jade Raymond has left Google now too.
Sounds like Google are going to be licensing the tech and hardware behind Stadia, while continuing to build up Stadia as a store itself. It makes a lot more sense, as big costly exclusives from Stadia for Stadia won't have enough of a pull to pay-off, whereas pulling in more and more 3rd party popular games will and would cost Google less to do. So, it is the smart move overall. The Stadia tech is good too, and it clearly works so they're doing what they do best in this way.
The thing is, it's another nail in the coffin of the idea Google sold it all on originally. The talk about these huge games that could only work in the cloud, which you're not likely to see from a 3rd party developer since their games will need to run on PC and consoles too most of the time.
So don't expect any Google / Stadia first-party titles after this year, if any of them come out at all. To be clear though, Google note they are "committed to the future of cloud gaming, and will continue to do our part to drive this industry forward" and that the Stadia store will continue bringing in more titles. Still, it won't stop people mentioning the Google Graveyard.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Quoting: MohandevirTo me it's clear that Stadia is a good addition to my PC. I play on Stadia, games that I can't play on my PC (compatibility issues).Sure, but whether it's a good addition for PC platform in regards to free choice is the real question. I understand and relate well to the compatibility issues but I think with Stadia we are trading alot for the convenience of having games be playable now, especially considering that Proton exists. Money we pay to Valve is likely going to be funded into Linux improvements with clear intent. Money you give to Google will go largely to Google's own interests, and if we somehow benefit from Stadia ecosystem it's not because they intended to but because they are using Vulkan or other crossplatform software.
Quoting: MohandevirPersonnally being able to play a game locally or in the cloud on a PS4 or Xbox has absolutely no meaning.I mentioned that you can play through streaming or locally to make the point that consoles makers are interested, at least for now, to give gamers choice to play the way they like. Stadia's slogan is "One place for all ways we play", yet it's only streaming platform. I am not complaining they should, just highlighting they are giving you one choice that's all. And that choice becomes a big negative when and if Google pays for exclusivity for games.
Quoting: MohandevirYour are a prisoner of Sony and Microsoft's digital services. Same way you are a prisoner of Google when you use Stadia. What you are calling out is a situation that always existed and that Stadia didn't create, but it's worse because of Google? Or because they are late to the party? I still fail to see your point. In fact, I feel that I have more choices then ever before and, at least, Stadia runs on Debian Linux.Indeed, Stadia and Google's approach is comparable to consoles and their makers. But the issue is that Stadia could direct game developent towards streaming only on PC and possibly hurt gaming on Linux's growth. I'd say what you feel is just a feeling. Google is giving you the choice to play by streaming, but they haven't offered you the choice to play same games natively. They haven't even put in the bare minimum which would be encouraging devs to port their Stadia games to Linux too. Stadia running on Debian is no guarantee that it will mean great things for desktop Linux. Despite many ROMs being based on AOSP, and Android being based on Linux kernel, a mobile FOSS os has not gotten good adoption and it's not easy to free yourself of Google's services and products.
Quoting: MohandevirYou are not talking about me for sure, but I must admit that Google has it's Zealots (which I'm absolutely not), just like Apple, Xbox, Playstation and even Linux users, but it's not something that's about to change. People tend to like to be identified to a banner and think their solution is better than the other because... Why in fact? ...Because they chose it, I guess.Honestly it seems to me that there are zealots and aside them a good portion of people who are apathetic to zealots rhetoric. I've not seen a post raising the question that Google's push for streaming can be bad for others prefered playstyle. Today Google has barely engaged in exclusivity deals, but imagine if they did as much as Epic, then PC platform would a cesspool of exclusivity. Then they would "force" people to play games through streaming. Judgment will not be available PC so it seems like Google may be ramping up their exclusivity game. Similar happened with Stadia pushing out Geforce Now support.
Quoting: MohandevirI'm not even trying to convince anybody to use Stadia. Just giving my personnal experience with the service, which I find pretty polished and well tought out. Lots of small details that makes it natural to use and well integrated in the Google ecosystem (and it's not even officially out on Android TV). I'm just stating the facts that I witnessed. Is it the best? I don't know. Make your own opinion. All I can say it's the one I prefer, compared to GeForce Now, which I tried and replaced with the Steam Link app... Not going to tell you that you must think like me, but using a Windows host for my Steam games is beyond my strength. I feel dirty when doing that, even when I have complaints about Protondb or Linux in general.I haven't used it but from what I've gleaned Stadia seems like the best streaming service option. I just see many reasons not to use Google product. I have no issue with anyone using Stadia, but I will always be honest about it and I think though we gain games in the short term, in long run we may be aiding to worsening of PC platform as a whole. Not a PC platform with alot choice (like Valve gives with Remote Play, native local release and Proton) but one where streaming is largely only choice. And streaming is the ultimate DRM and supports Games as a service model even better.
TLDR: I wish Stadia supporters stopped pretending they are a family with Google and remember that Google buying exclusive rights to games affects fellow gamers. It's not "One place for all ways we play", with Judgment exclusivity it has become "One way for us to play". Streaming, don't like it? Sucks for you. Another prison for you. Also I like to think we who game on Linux are more conscious of DRM and other foul practices and would stand firm against bad practices. We may not experience that Judgment is exclusive to Stadia, because the only choice we have is play it on Stadia or not at all (assuming Judgment was a problem game in regards to compatibility), but Windows PC users will notice the lack of the choice to play the game locally.
More on topic: I wouldn't worry about Stadia just because they are foregoing first party games. If the service stays top quality and Google stays on it, it will push forward. It won't happen anytime soon though, maybe in two to four years?
Last edited by Linuxwarper on 3 February 2021 at 10:11 pm UTC
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Mohandevir Feb 3, 2021
Quoting: LinuxwarperQuoting: MohandevirTo me it's clear that Stadia is a good addition to my PC. I play on Stadia, games that I can't play on my PC (compatibility issues).Sure, but whether it's a good addition for PC platform in regards to free choice is the real question. I understand and relate well to the compatibility issues but I think with Stadia we are trading alot for the convenience of having games be playable now, especially considering that Proton exists. Money we pay to Valve is likely going to be funded into Linux improvements with clear intent. Money you give to Google will go largely to Google's own interests, and if we somehow benefit from Stadia ecosystem it's not because they intended to but because they are using Vulkan or other crossplatform software.
Quoting: MohandevirPersonnally being able to play a game locally or in the cloud on a PS4 or Xbox has absolutely no meaning.I mentioned that you can play through streaming or locally to make the point that consoles makers are interested, at least for now, to give gamers choice to play the way they like. Stadia's slogan is "One place for all ways we play", yet it's only streaming platform. I am not complaining they should, just highlighting they are giving you one choice that's all. And that choice becomes a big negative when and if Google pays for exclusivity for games.
Quoting: MohandevirYour are a prisoner of Sony and Microsoft's digital services. Same way you are a prisoner of Google when you use Stadia. What you are calling out is a situation that always existed and that Stadia didn't create, but it's worse because of Google? Or because they are late to the party? I still fail to see your point. In fact, I feel that I have more choices then ever before and, at least, Stadia runs on Debian Linux.Indeed, Stadia and Google's approach is comparable to consoles and their makers. But the issue is that Stadia could direct game developent towards streaming only on PC and possibly hurt gaming on Linux's growth. I'd say what you feel is just a feeling. Google is giving you the choice to play by streaming, but they haven't offered you the choice to play same games natively. They haven't even put in the bare minimum which would be encouraging devs to port their Stadia games to Linux too. Stadia running on Debian is no guarantee that it will mean great things for desktop Linux. Despite many ROMs being based on AOSP, and Android being based on Linux kernel, a mobile FOSS os has not gotten good adoption and it's not easy to free yourself of Google's services and products.
Quoting: MohandevirYou are not talking about me for sure, but I must admit that Google has it's Zealots (which I'm absolutely not), just like Apple, Xbox, Playstation and even Linux users, but it's not something that's about to change. People tend to like to be identified to a banner and think their solution is better than the other because... Why in fact? ...Because they chose it, I guess.Honestly it seems to me that there are zealots and aside them a good portion of people who are apathetic to zealots rhetoric. I've not seen a post raising the question that Google's push for streaming can be bad for others prefered playstyle. Today Google has barely engaged in exclusivity deals, but imagine if they did as much as Epic, then PC platform would a cesspool of exclusivity. Then they would "force" people to play games through streaming. Judgment will not be available PC so it seems like Google may be ramping up their exclusivity game. Similar happened with Stadia pushing out Geforce Now support.
Quoting: MohandevirI'm not even trying to convince anybody to use Stadia. Just giving my personnal experience with the service, which I find pretty polished and well tought out. Lots of small details that makes it natural to use and well integrated in the Google ecosystem (and it's not even officially out on Android TV). I'm just stating the facts that I witnessed. Is it the best? I don't know. Make your own opinion. All I can say it's the one I prefer, compared to GeForce Now, which I tried and replaced with the Steam Link app... Not going to tell you that you must think like me, but using a Windows host for my Steam games is beyond my strength. I feel dirty when doing that, even when I have complaints about Protondb or Linux in general.I haven't used it but from what I've gleaned Stadia seems like the best streaming service option. I just see many reasons not to use Google product. I have no issue with anyone using Stadia, but I will always be honest about it and I think though we gain games in the short term, in long run we may be aiding to worsening of PC platform as a whole. Not a PC platform with alot choice (like Valve gives with Remote Play, native local release and Proton) but one where streaming is largely only choice. And streaming is the ultimate DRM and supports Games as a service model even better.
TLDR: I wish Stadia supporters stopped pretending they are a family with Google and remember that Google buying exclusive rights to games affects fellow gamers. It's not "One place for all ways we play", with Judgment exclusivity it has become "One way for us to play". Streaming, don't like it? Sucks for you. Another prison for you. Also I like to think we who game on Linux are more conscious of DRM and other foul practices and would stand firm against bad practices. We may not experience that Judgment is exclusive to Stadia, because the only choice we have is play it on Stadia or not at all (assuming Judgment was a problem game in regards to compatibility), but Windows PC users will notice the lack of the choice to play the game locally.
More on topic: I wouldn't worry about Stadia just because they are foregoing first party games. If the service stays top quality and Google stays on it, it will push forward. It won't happen anytime soon though, maybe in two to four years?
I understand and respect your point of view even if I don't agree. I really doubt that cloud gaming will have any impact (good or bad) on the PC. As long as people will ask for local play, it will continue to exist. I for one will never drop it entirely... Time will tell, I guess.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 3 February 2021 at 11:59 pm UTC
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Quoting: MohandevirI understand and respect your point of view even if I don't agree. I really doubt that cloud gaming will have any impact (good or bad) on the PC. As long as people will ask for local play, it will continue to exist. I for one will never drop it entirely... Time will tell, I guess.But that will be a issue, why must it become that people will need to ask for local releases? It's objective fact that local play has it's use cases, to such degree that there is no reason to not release game both locally and through cloud. The worst fear I have is that it sets a precedent that will lead to what we have now with microtransactions, where companies think omitting microtransactions and bragging about it is good marketing. Scenario being companies bragging about not omitting a local release.
I wouldn't be so sure of cloud not having a bad impact. Stadia lead many developers pulling their games off from GeforceNow and Judgment is a clear cut streaming exclusive. So there is negative consequences already, at this early of Stadia's growth. So can you imagine how more negative things will be if Stadia became the norm? People often ask for alot things but companies often ignore these requests. There are so many games releases these days that always has a issue relating to monetization, when all people ask for is a quality good release without any crap. They won't listen to gamers who ask for local releases if situation favors their bank. As long as they can get away with it, and gain on it, they will forego a local release for streaming one. And one way Stadia will help them gain more is stopping modding and cheating in single player games. That way people will need to pay them for traineers and other cheats instead of getting it from fellow gamers for free.
Last edited by Linuxwarper on 4 February 2021 at 3:57 pm UTC
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Quoting: Linuxwarper[But that will be a issue, why must it become that people will need to ask for local releases? It's objective fact that local play has it's use cases, to such degree that there is no reason to not release game both locally and through cloud.
Support costs for a huge variety of systems, compared to cloud servers or console systems.
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Quoting: EikeSupport costs for a huge variety of systems, compared to cloud servers or console systems.Here we are on a site dedicated to gaming on Linux, hopeful that one day games will be natively released for the platform, and you raised the point that if developers decide to forego local releases entirely, which Stadia could lead to, then it would be because of support costs assosciated with supporting another platform. That means exclusion of support even for Windows, making it the entire PC platform. You just proved how Stadia can become a bad thing in the long run.
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Quoting: LinuxwarperI'm pretty sure Eike meant hardware platform. PC as a platform has a wide variety of hardware configurations compared to consoles or dedicated servers, leading to higher support costs.Quoting: EikeSupport costs for a huge variety of systems, compared to cloud servers or console systems.Here we are on a site dedicated to gaming on Linux, hopeful that one day games will be natively released for the platform, and you raised the point that if developers decide to forego local releases entirely, which Stadia could lead to, then it would be because of support costs assosciated with supporting another platform. That means exclusion of support even for Windows, making it the entire PC platform. You just proved how Stadia can become a bad thing in the long run.
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Quoting: Purple Library GuyI'm pretty sure Eike meant hardware platform. PC as a platform has a wide variety of hardware configurations compared to consoles or dedicated servers, leading to higher support costs.This sounds all to familiar. Linux is to difficult to develop for because of the many distributions. Imagine if the industry moved towards such thinking in regards to releasing games on PC..."Sorry but local releases are to costly". As if greed within the industry isn't widespread as it is.
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Quoting: LinuxwarperIt'll work if people turn out to be willing to go there en masse. But if dropping local PC play means losing a bunch of sales, they'll grudgingly go back to it. Software makers of all stripes have been trying to move to subscription models and so forth practically since there's been software, and they only pull it off now and then. So we'll see.Quoting: Purple Library GuyI'm pretty sure Eike meant hardware platform. PC as a platform has a wide variety of hardware configurations compared to consoles or dedicated servers, leading to higher support costs.This sounds all to familiar. Linux is to difficult to develop for because of the many distributions. Imagine if the industry moved towards such thinking in regards to releasing games on PC..."Sorry but local releases are to costly". As if greed within the industry isn't widespread as it is.
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Mohandevir Feb 5, 2021
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: LinuxwarperI'm pretty sure Eike meant hardware platform. PC as a platform has a wide variety of hardware configurations compared to consoles or dedicated servers, leading to higher support costs.Quoting: EikeSupport costs for a huge variety of systems, compared to cloud servers or console systems.Here we are on a site dedicated to gaming on Linux, hopeful that one day games will be natively released for the platform, and you raised the point that if developers decide to forego local releases entirely, which Stadia could lead to, then it would be because of support costs assosciated with supporting another platform. That means exclusion of support even for Windows, making it the entire PC platform. You just proved how Stadia can become a bad thing in the long run.
Exactly the same reason why cloud gaming won't kill PC gaming: consoles would have already done so, a while ago... And god did Microsoft tried! Remember, just before Valve launched Steam? Microsoft put all of it's weight on the Xbox telling everybody that PC gaming was a thing of the past and yet PC gaming is thriving. It's even stronger then ever before.
I'm quite sure that Stadia is in direct competition with the Playstation and the Xbox, not the PC. Google didn't call it "A console in the cloud" for no reason.
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Quoting: LinuxwarperQuoting: EikeSupport costs for a huge variety of systems, compared to cloud servers or console systems.Here we are on a site dedicated to gaming on Linux, hopeful that one day games will be natively released for the platform, and you raised the point that if developers decide to forego local releases entirely, which Stadia could lead to, then it would be because of support costs assosciated with supporting another platform. That means exclusion of support even for Windows, making it the entire PC platform. You just proved how Stadia can become a bad thing in the long run.
Yes, and I never said anything different. You said "there is no reason to not release game both locally and through cloud." There is! Variety of systems, hardware and software wise. I bought a single whitelisted Proton game and only Linux native games otherwise, but that doesn't mean I've got my eyes closed. There are - unfortunately - reasons why people/companies would not release games for Linux despite supporting Stadia. And yes, this is an additional threat for native PC gaming, and especially for native Linux gaming.
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