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Google Stadia team refutes accusations of not updating its community

Google Stadia team refutes accusations of not updating its community

Search and software giant Google has responded to complaints that it hasn't been keeping its users in the loop about forthcoming updates for its new cloud streaming platform Stadia.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, the firm said that it relates to the desire to find out more about what is coming to the platform in the future and said that it has been providing updates on the Google Keyword blog on a monthly basis.

This follows a thread on Reddit where users were complaining about a lack of information about what features are coming to Stadia. The post saw the community complaining about a lack of mobile support – only Google's own Pixel phones can use Stadia so far – when the Stadia Basic membership tier was being launched as well as the myriad features such as family sharing which were announced at GDC 2019 alongside the platform, but were not present at launch.

In the most recent update on the Keyword blog, Google has said that 4K support and wireless support for the, erm, wireless Stadia controller are both on the way, as well as the ability to play on non-Pixel Android devices.

"We understand the desire to hear more specifics on the games," Google said in a statement.

"After all, that is what it is about: the games. Of course, not all 120 titles will be announced by the Stadia team, as we leave it up to the publishers to make the announcement about their IP/games, and which platforms it will appear on -- just as we will do with the exclusive content coming to Stadia.

"There are a lot of reasons for the time of those game announcements -- anything from planned promotions or events, title readiness, proximity to first playable demo, shareholder requirements, etc. We continue to work closely with our publishing and developing partners and are here to support them in all areas. We are excited to share more about some of the exclusive games coming to Stadia soon."

Google Stadia was revealed in March 2019 at San Francisco's GDC before launching in November of last year.

Following the platform's rollout, we had to ask: what the hell is going on with Stadia?, which is a good sign.


PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.