In an announcement at the Game Developers Conference 2019, Google hinted that it will soon expand into gaming. But why might the company be aiming for something like this?
First, it's a field that can be further exploited, as according to research firm Newzoo, the gaming industry is expected to reach $180 billion by 2021. This includes both PC and console games, as well as mobile games. Second, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo still dominate the gaming space.
Let's not forget about "Project Stream." It's often talked about as a Netflix, using all-you-can-consume positioning. It's believed that Google has begun testing in the US, allowing selected users to play games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The idea behind the project is to allow users to simply connect their game controller to one of the compatible devices and start playing games. It'll be interesting to see how Google will present this new feature and whether it will release additional gadgets.
Then there's the question of what titles will be available for streaming. Since Google doesn't make its own games, it will have to rely on developers and publishers to source titles. And of course, it's not certain that it will be able to offer better features than Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, or even Nvidia.
The competition is going to be very tough, as many of the aforementioned companies, as well as others like Amazon, also have or are preparing their own streaming services.
Then there's internet bandwidth. In Project Stream testing, Google had recommended users have at least 25Mbps for it to work properly. This automatically takes mobile devices out of the equation as 3G/4G networks in most countries, including India, are clearly not strong enough for this to work.
It's clear that Google is looking for a new source of revenue, outside of its traditional strengths like Search, Android, and products aimed at businesses. Gaming seems like the safest option, but it faces strong competition from companies that have been active in the gaming space for years and it will certainly be difficult to overcome them.
