Mentioned In Episode 5:

• Google Stadia
• Star Wars: Republic Commando
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie
• GoldenEye

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The post Episode 5: The Future of Stadia, Possible Republic Commando Remaster and GoldenEye Leak appeared first on Retro Ages.

In episode 68 Barry and Anthony talk about the shocking news that Google is to close down their Google Stadia cloud gaming service after only three years.  

We will also take a look at the rumours of an upcoming Xbox Series X console in a brand new colour.  Is PlayStation’s Jim Ryan trying to stall Microsoft’s acquisition of Activison Blizzard?  It would seem so if the news of him flying to Brussels to speak to regulators is true.

Wonder Boy and the Dragon’s Trap fans can pick up not one, but two PlayStation 5 remakes.

Plus Razer jumps into the cloud gaming arena by teasing their upcoming Razer Blade 5G handheld console. 

Mentioned in Episode 68

• Google Shuts Down Stadia
• Razer Teases New Streaming Handheld

The post Episode 68: The End of Google’s Cloud Gaming Dream appeared first on Retro Ages.

In episode 82 of the Retro Gaming Dads Podcast, Barry and Anthony discuss Microsoft’s announcement that they will be laying off 10,000 employees.  This includes a large number of staff from Halo developer 343 Industries.  

Stadia shuts down for good as Google says it’s final goodbye to the game streaming service.  An officially licensed Amiga keyboard is available to purchase, and Jet Wash Simulator unveils an unexpected cross over in their next free DLC.

Plus we take a look at a number of retro-inspired titles coming to the Xbox in January.

Mentioned in Episode 82

• UK-Based Simulant Unveils Official Amiga Branded Mechanical Keyboard
• Power Wash Simulator
• RE:CALL
• Wings of a Bluestar
• A Space for the Unbound
• Graze Counter GM
• Persona 3 Portable
• Person 4 Golden
• OmegaBot
• Microsoft Lays Off 10,000 Employees
• Stadia Closes

The post Episode 82: Microsoft Layoffs and Stadia Shuts Down for Good appeared first on Retro Ages.

Launched in November 2023, Stadia was unveiled as a way for gamers to play high-end games. All without the need of an expensive console or PC. The power of Googles cloud-based system touted a massive 10 teraflops of graphical processing power. Beating both of the then current generation Xbox One X (6 teraflops) and PS4 Pro (4.2 teraflops).

For those eager to jump into this new streaming-only future, they would need to purchase a starter pack for £119/$129 which would include a Stadia controller, Chromcast Ultra 4K as well as a 3 month subscription to Stadia Pro. However, its here where the first issues started to show show.

Upon its launch, many of the stated features were incomplete or just outright missing. Those that had purchased the starter pack were met with delays on their hardware reaching them. Leaving them unable to play at launch. Those who were able to play were also complaining of unplayable lag. With many seeing over a full second between hitting a button and the game registering the press.

These initial teething issues led to a negative view of Stadia. Especially from early adopters and professional reviewers. The same people that many future customers may consult before subscribing. While Google would fix many of these issues over the intervening years, Google never managed to make Stadia a viable alternative to consoles in the average user’s eyes.

Back to today’s Stadia announcement

This leads us to today’s announcement. In a statement from his Harrison, vice-president and general manager of Stadia, he reiterated the service will be winding down at the start of 2022.

“…while Stadia’s approach to streaming games for consumers was built on a strong technology foundation, it hasn’t gained the traction with users that we expected so we’ve made the difficult decision to begin winding down our Stadia streaming service.”

With the end of Stadia on the 18th January 2023, Google has revealed that they will refund all software and hardware purchases for all customers. Any Stadia controllers or titles purchased through the Stadia over the last three years will refunded by mid-January.

For many the service’s demise was only a matter of time. Google is well known for killing off projects that don’t perform well only a few short years after their introduction. The infamous Google Graveyard already has Stadia added to the long list of Google casualties over the years.

While it is clear this isn’t the end of game streaming services, it certainly is for Stadia.

What was your view of Stadia? Did you ever try out the service, and if not why not? We would love to know in the comments below.

The post Goodbye Stadia, Google Shutters Cloud Service After Only 3 Years appeared first on Retro Ages.