Syed Imran Haider 
Cloud-gaming lovers in the UK will have to say goodbye to the Google Stadia platform as the company has announced its discontinuation in the country from 19 January 2023. Google has already begun the shutdown process by refunding gamers who subscribed to its cloud-gaming service.
Almost everyone touted Google Stadia as a Netflix for gamers when it hit the market in November 2013. It allowed players to enjoy online game streaming without using a console or personal computer.
The cloud-gaming service will not be accessible after 8 am Thursday in the United Kingdom. Many gamers are reportedly heartbroken with the news, saying they feel despairing to see it shutting down.
On the other hand, Google promised to issue refunds to gamers who purchased Stadia services. It included individuals who purchased games, controllers, or downloadable content. The company previously estimated to complete the refund process by mid-January.
Closure of Google Stadia Cloud-gaming Services
Google released Worm Game – the final Stadia game to mark the closure. The game developers would test the service before releasing it publicly. The company plans to add Bluetooth capability to its Stadia controllers, so you can use them wirelessly on a personal computer to play any game, even after cloud-gaming service shuts down.
Google disclosed its plans for the Stadia service discontinuation in September last year because it could not gain the traction with users the tech firm had anticipated.
Fans React, Saying They feel Heartbroken.Â
However, the news of Stadia’s closure has resulted in many sad faces, as the fans are heartbroken, with some highlighting concerns that they would lose some games developed exclusively for the Stadia platform after the service shuts down.
For instance, Outcaster is a multiplayer game developed by Splash Damage. The developer said it did not plan to introduce the same game to another place. Likewise, Dylan Cuthbert, the founder & chief executive of Q-Games, said his team spent twenty-four months developing PixelJunk Raider, an exclusive Stadia game. He wanted the game to stay here forever, which is not possible.
Cuthbert said it is embarrassing to realize your years of hard work go wasted when people cannot play your developed game. It is their IP, and they are trying to find a way to get the game on other gaming platforms. He plans to speak to publishers to help him get it to a personal computer, PlayStation, or other similar mediums.
According to Dylan Cuthbert, he would like to work again on the game a little bit. He discussed the matter with Google about how they might work together. The company seemed optimistic about finding a solution.
Jordy, a 30-year-old fan of the Google Stadia gaming service, said she had three controllers from the service. She was heartbroken over its closure. She loved Stadia and found it best as she could play her favorite game anywhere.
Jordy liked to play the Destiny II game with her partner using her iPad while he would play on the PlayStation V. She believes the Stadia controller was the finest controller she had ever used. She appreciated Google for promising a refund to Stadia users.
