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Google has unveiled the streaming service’s first game development studio in Montréal, and discussed its plans for exclusive first-party content with GamesIndustry.biz.
‘It's very important for first-party games, in my opinion, to be games that wouldn't be possible on any other platform,’ Google vice president and Stadia Games and Entertainment studio head Jade Raymond said, before explaining that Stadia’s unique capabilities will generate unique first-party titles. ‘There are a lot of things that being cloud native enables that you're just not going to be able to see on other platforms, and I think that's the job of first-party, to really show that off and let people imagine what those things are,’ Raymond added.
In addition, Stadia will draw upon Google’s technological achievements to create an engaging gaming experience. Referring to the artificial intelligence Duplex, Raymond said, ‘instead of having the usual quest-giver that repeats a static line of dialogue, imagine having Google Duplex-powered believable human interactions embedded in any game that has narrative.’
But, Stadia players should wait in the wings for a ‘huge new IP’ that would be integrated and use these technological adaptations to their fullest extent. To begin with, the titles on Stadia will be third-party games that may include a few changes that work with Google’s unique hardware. Then, Google will be seeking out second-party games from independent developers to experiment with the possibilities of ‘cloud native gaming’.
‘We do have quite a few exclusive games in the works that will demonstrate some of the exciting things about the platform all along the path. It won't be four years before gamers get to see the new exclusive, exciting content. There will be some coming out every year, and more and more each year,’ she elaborated. And, the new studio will be the catalyst of these new ventures.
‘Stadia Games and Entertainment’s studio will produce exclusive, original content across a diverse portfolio of games in all your favorite genres. Stadia is designed to be one destination for all the ways people play games — and Montréal is where we’re going to start building them,’ the official blog post announced. It also mentioned that Stadia Games and Entertainment is currently hiring for artists, game designers, directors, and programmers.
‘At Stadia, we don’t believe in being “good enough.” We believe in being more: More ambitious. More inclusive. More accessible. More immersive. More engaging,’ the blog post concluded. The Founder’s Edition of Stadia will be shipped to pre-order purchasers by November 19, but those who bought the Premiere Edition may be waiting a little longer.
