Apparently, Google is planning to enter the lucrative gaming market soon. Rumors suggest that the internet giant is working on its own game console, which will serve as a device for a subscription service for games, a sort of Netflix for games.
Will Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo soon face serious competition from Google? Apparently, the company has been working on a proprietary game streaming service under the project name “Yeti” for about two years, including a corresponding device, a console. This was reported by the news agency Reuters, referring to a report from “The Information.”
However, Google has not yet officially confirmed this report.
What is Google “Yeti”? Netflix for Games
Behind the project name “Yeti” is a type of “Netflix for Games.” As far as is currently known, Google’s gaming project consists of two main components:
- an in-house game streaming service
- and a corresponding device in the form of a home console including a controller.
Games would be played on external servers and streamed to the home device. Lengthy downloads, large installations, and possible updates would therefore be completely eliminated. Expensive hardware and future upgrades would also become a thing of the past. However, a strong internet connection for data exchange would be absolutely necessary.
Payment is supposed to be made through a subscription model. The entire game library would be available to users without restrictions via a flat rate.
Google is reportedly already in contact with some game developers. However, it is currently unclear whether games will be developed specifically for “Yeti” in the future or if only existing streaming games will define the offering.
When will “Yeti” be released?
It is still unclear when Google’s console will hit the stores. The “Yeti” project has not even been officially announced by Google yet. Therefore, a release date is still pending.
Project “Yeti” – serious competition for Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo?
Could Google potentially establish itself as a serious competitor against consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo with “Yeti”?
Considering the current trend in the area of game streaming, the big three probably have little to fear. Comparable projects like Ouya, OnLive, Playstation Now, or Nvidia’s GeForce Now have not been able to succeed against traditional consoles and gaming PCs so far.
On the contrary: Some are still unknown to many gamers. Google will need to come up with something special if the company really wants to establish itself in the gaming market with its concept.
Google has certainly already ensured the necessary expertise. Since the end of January 2018, Phil Harrison has been working as Vice President and General Manager at Google. He previously worked for 15 years at Sony and 3 years at Microsoft, where he dealt with their respective consoles.
Conclusion: It remains exciting around Google’s project “Yeti.” Even if comparable offers on the market have so far found little resonance with players – this fact could possibly change soon thanks to Google’s plans.
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