Tech giant Google has finally announced their long-rumoured Project Stream, a service that allows users to stream video games to the Chrome web browser.
The first game to be supported through this new service will be none other than Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which is obviously huge news for anyone who might not have the requisite console or powerful enough PC to play Ubisoft’s latest.
Google announced in a blog post:
We’ve been working on Project Stream, a technical test to solve some of the biggest challenges of streaming. For this test, we’re going to push the limits with one of the most demanding applications for streaming—a blockbuster video game.
A beta test for the service kicks off on Friday. Google are looking for users with internet speeds of 25 megabits per second or higher to participate, and those who are selected will get to try out Odyssey on their desktop or laptop browsers.
Google are well aware that the idea of streaming a video game when compared to a movie or film poses a whole new set of challenges, especially given the need for near-instant interaction between your controller and the screen. Buffering just won’t cut it.
Obviously, if this is a success it could have huge implications for the gaming industry going forward. The concept of being able to stream high quality AAA titles seemed like pure fiction not that long ago, but it’s now looking increasingly likely.
If you want to apply for the beta, you can head here to do so. Be aware in addition to the aforementioned internet speed requirement, you also have to be over 17, and must live in the U.S to participate.
Ewan Moore is a journalist at UNILAD Gaming who still quite hasn’t gotten out of his mid 00’s emo phase. After graduating from the University of Portsmouth in 2015 with a BA in Journalism & Media Studies (thanks for asking), he went on to do some freelance words for various places, including Kotaku, Den of Geek, and TheSixthAxis, before landing a full time gig at UNILAD in 2016.