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Report: Google eyes game dev acquisitions to work on new streaming service

The internet behemoth is said to have met with devs at E3

Report: Google eyes game dev acquisitions to work on new streaming service

Internet behemoth Google is seeking to collaborate with games studios to develop titles for its new streaming service.

That comes from Kotaku, which reports that that Google held meetings with various devs at E3 in June 2018.

Reportedly called Yeti, the Google’s new platform is set to focus on online streaming.

It’s been claimed it will work much like Nvidia’s GeForce Now as it would offload the work of rendering graphics to computers elsewhere. In-turn this would allow cheaper PCs to run high-end games.

Googling developers

Google has long held an interest in games - it already runs the Google Play store, while Pokemon Go developer Niantic was originally on its books. The developer then went independent before releasing Pokemon Go.

The internet conglomerate also acquired VR games developer success story Owlchemy Labs last year for an undisclosed sum.

Former Microsoft corporate vice president Phil Harrison joined Google’s ranks earlier this year as its new vice president and general manager.

Details on his involvement are sparse, apart from that he will be reporting to Google senior vice president of hardware Rick Osterloh.

Osterloh's division designs Google's hardware, such as its Pixel phone and Daydream VR headsets. Harrison's appointment here points toward the development of a games platform, which could very well be this streaming service.


Staff Writer

Iain is a freelance writer based in Scotland with a penchant for indies and all things Nintendo. Alongside PocketGamer.Biz, he has also appeared in Kotaku, Rock Paper Shotgun, PCGamesN and VG24/7.