With internet speculation reaching a fever pitch this week regarding what Google might announce at GDC next week, we decided to try and bring some sense to proceedings by speculating just what the Android specialists might be working on.
Here’s our prediction: Google is working on a brand new gaming platform that aims to make streaming a viable option for the first time ever in 2019.
We think the platform itself will work on every device under the sun. It will work in your Chrome browser on a Mac or PC, on your iPhone and Android via an app, and perhaps even on the Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch if those platforms don’t deem Google’s offering a threat.
The evidence is there. Google has already tested a streaming service that runs in Google’s Chrome browser, so it’s not very far away from the reality.
If Google is working on a streaming platform, we reckon it will work on everything
We reckon Google will want to make this platform available to all to maximise its success, and what better way to do that than to release it on Chrome?
In terms of other platforms, Google just announced support for Joy-Con controllers on Chrome. We believe every single gaming controller currently available will support the new platform.
Microsoft and Nintendo have already demonstrated that they’re okay working with other platforms. Xbox Live is coming to every platform soon, for example, including Nintendo Switch – which proves that Nintendo isn’t worried about the competition either.
So we reckon both companies will be more than happy to support Google’s offering on their home consoles. What we’re not sure about is Sony, which already has a competitive streaming app available on iOS, Android, PC, and Mac.
We also think that Google will launch the service alongside a brand new gaming platform, that specialises in streaming video games.
We reckon Google is also working on a console that will take full advantage of the platform
Why? Well, that controller patent pretty much confirms it. It will also help boost the profile of the service enormously if gamers can just hassle-free buy a brand new console that sets it all up for them, including a new gaming controller.
We’re not sure what it will look like though. It could be a simple box that goes under your TV, and has good enough specifications to run the Android TV games on Google Play.
Or, it could literally be a thing that you plug into your TV, like ChromeCast. In fact, it might even just be a new version of ChromeCast with a rebrand and a controller.
That’s what we reckon Google will announce. Let’s wait and see what happens. In the meantime, let us know what you think in the comments section below.
