- Google’s Stadia controller will have its Bluetooth functionality enabled.
- Days before its shuttering, Stadia launched one last game – Worm Game – which it used to test Stadia features.
- The activation of Bluetooth turns a previously single-use device into a controller that one could use beyond the realms of the soon-to-be-defunct game streaming service.
On Wednesday, Google’s cloud gaming service, Stadia, will meet its end like so many other services Google has launched and then killed off.
In September 2022, Google announced that Stadia would shutter because the platform didn’t gain the sort of traction executives were hoping for. Because of this, Stadia will officially shut down from 18th January.
As part of the shutdown, Google has been refunding every game purchase made on the platform but owners of the Stadia controller would like to use their hardware elsewhere. As reported by Ars Technica, Stadia users have requested that Google open the controller up to be used as a generic Bluetooth controller.
To that end, a community manager on the Stadia forum announced that there were plans to enable this functionality.
“We have some good news: next week we’ll be releasing a self-serve tool to enable Bluetooth connections on your Stadia Controller. We’ll share details next week on how to enable this feature,” the community manager wrote.
As Ars Technica points out, this small update to enable the functionality may save the controller from the landfill. While the controller used WiFi to connect directly to Stadia rather than your PC, it does house a Bluetooth chip.
In addition to the Bluetooth functionality, Stadia also released a new game. Yes, a few days before the death knell sounds, Stadia launched Worm Game which is a title Google used to test Stadia features. The experience is terrible according to reports and exemplifies the many pitfalls of cloud gaming.
“This simple 2D game is probably only a few MB, and any device could install it in under a minute or run it directly in a browser with no install at all. Instead, streaming it over the Internet will use up gigabytes of data,” writes Ars Technica’s Ron Amadeo.
While Stadia never launched in South Africa, locals can expect a cloud gaming service soon. Late in 2022, rain announced that together with Nvidia, it would be launching GeForce Now. The platform will launch as part of a beta programme with a commercial launch scheduled thereafter.
“We are extremely proud to partner with NVIDIA and bring cloud gaming to the fast-growing gaming market in South Africa. The ability to stream and enjoy the latest games on most devices, is a massive leap forward for the gaming community,” said rain chief executive officer, Brandon Leigh.
