The future of gaming is streaming. At CES 2018, we saw a bunch of game streaming services, NVIDIA has GEForce Now, Sony has PlayStation Now and even Microsoft announced that it is working on a game streaming service. We even had the opportunity to check out Hatch, a mobile game streaming service set to launch in India soon. So, it is no surprise that Google wants a piece of the game streaming service. In February of 2018, information circulating the internet suggested that Google was expected to launch a hardware-based game streaming service codename Yeti and it looks like the new rumours are related to Yeti. At E3 2018, Google, it seems, was talking to developers about making games for its streaming service. According to Kotaku, Google might even acquire game studios to work on titles for Yeti.
According to Android Authority, “In 2017, Google acquired Austin, Texas-based Owlchemy Labs, the developer behind a number of acclaimed PC and console VR games like Job Simulator and Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality. Owlchemy is currently working on its next VR game, Vacation Simulator, which is due out sometime in 2018”.
If Google’s game streaming service is compatible with its existing portfolio of hardware, then Google will have the advantage of a large install base. Imagine having the ability to connect a Bluetooth controller to your Android TV and stream games on it. Or use a Chromecast to do the same. There are a large number of Android streaming boxes like the Nvidia Shield and more that could take advantage of the service, if they are compatible.