Despite the doubt the claim might instill, yes, Stadia still exists and not as just another entry in the Google Graveyard. Not that its continued existence greatly matters as the service has been nothing but a colossal failure. One that has been marred by technical issues since its launch and no longer enjoys the perpetuated support it once did.
Strauss Zelnick. CEO of Take-Two Interactive and chairman of CBS, went on record in January denouncing Google for having over-promised and under-delivered on the technology underpinning Stadia. A reality many had surmised even before the service launched from Google’s response to the various issues the service would have to tackle. When not evading the issue of infrastructure limitations and data caps the would rattle off how 5g would magically resolve all logistical issues facing the service.
“The launch of Stadia has been slow. I think there was some overpromising on what the technology could deliver and some consumer disappointment as a result.”
Later in march Business Insider leveled the failure of Stadia not on streaming or logistics, but on Google themselves. With developers reporting how they refused to adopt the platform as they had no faith Google would remain in the industry long term. A reasonable concern, given the PR nightmare that would ensue if Google abandoned the Stadia as they frequently have their other projects. No developer or publisher wants to be dealing with thousands of angry consumers who no longer can play the games they purchase from a dead service.
The second reason is far more direct. Google failed to offer any financial incentives to adopt its platform. Instead, expecting the pleasure of being on Stadia to be justification enough for developers to pour resources into developing a Linux port of their game.
Not content to fade into the sunset quietly, the service has once again managed to screw up by releasing an E3 2019 build of Ubisoft’s in development Gods and Monsters. For 30 minutes, players were able to play an early incomplete build of the game. Given them access to an early build filled with bugs and populated by placeholder assets and models from Assassin’s Creed.
In response to inquiries from Kotaku, Google made the following comment.
“Regretfully, on Thursday morning, we mistakenly made an E3 2019 demo version of Gods & Monsters from Ubisoft available on the Stadia store that was not intended for the public to play. A few hundred gamers were able to play it for less than 30 minutes. We sincerely apologize to our partners at Ubisoft for this mistake.”
Frankly, it is astounding this kind of mistake was even possible. More importantly, how and why did Google even have a copy of the 2019 E3 build of Gods and Monsters? Further, why was this build stored in a state where it could accidentally be made live? I doubt we’ll ever have an answer to those questions, but it would seem Stadia fully intends to die a laughing stock.
