Google has denied rumors that it’s shutting down Google Stadia. The rumor started when the Twitter account Killed by Google posted a tweet about Stadia’s future. The tweet states that a regional manager for Google had tipped them off that people in the company are “beginning their exit plan.” KbG also claims that the company would warn users 30-60 days before the service was discontinued sometime this summer.
However, it appears as though the source for this rumor may not be reliable. The official Stadia Twitter account replied to a user asking if Stadia is going to close down soon. Google responded, saying “Stadia is not shutting down. Rest assured we’re always working on bringing more great games to the platform.”
And with that, the short-lived rumor seems to have come to an end. Given the questionable source and lack of proof, the claim of Stadia closing was always dubious. Even so, it was convincing enough that some Stadia users were concerned about the future of the platform.
This concern isn’t surprising as the idea of Stadia shutting down is by no means inconceivable. Since its launch, Stadia has suffered from various technical issues, missing features, and Google even shutting down its own Stadia-dedicated studio. Plus it’s not as though Stadia has been a sensational success. It has a user base, but when compared to some other major platforms, it doesn’t necessarily attract the same kind of interest.
Stadia is not shutting down. Rest assured we’re always working on bringing more great games to the platform and Stadia Pro. Let us know if you have other questions.
— Stadia (@GoogleStadia) July 29, 2022
Stadia’s problem
Even if it’s not shutting down, Stadia has some issues to overcome. The biggest problem Stadia has is one that all cloud gaming has: a lack of infrastructure. To stream Stadia games at 4K you need a consistent 35Mbps (or faster) download speed. In many areas of the world, especially third-world countries, such speeds can be difficult to reach and maintain. On top of that, users have to pay additional monthly fees if they want access to the full game catalog available through the Pro subscription. However, Google does offer free trials where you can play over 120 different games from your browser and without a Stadia account.
