Google is believed to be working on its own console or gaming service that could rival the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PS4.
The search engine giant reportedly wants to launch its own streaming service for video games – with the project codenamed Yeti.
Phil Harrison, a game industry stalwart and former bigwig at PlayStation and Xbox, last year joined Google – further adding weight to these rumours.
It’s believed the rumoured Google project would see a Netflix-like service offered to gamers with a tonne of titles available to choose from.
And an interesting patent filed last year could give gamers a glimpse of one key part of the upcoming Google games console.
A patent filed by Google in October may reveal what the controller for the search engine giant’s new console or gaming service will look like.
The trademark was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and featured two controller concept designs.
The patent says “no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter and various ways in which it may be practiced”.
So the design may not end up showing what the eventual Google console controller will look like.
It simply provides a foundation for what the controller will look like and how functions will perform.
The illustrated Google console controller doesn’t deviate from what gamers typically expect from a controller.
It has a D-Pad, four main buttons, shoulder trigger and two analogue sticks.
It very much follows in the footsteps of the Sony DualShock and other such joypads like the Xbox One and Steam controllers.
To give fans a better idea of what they can expect from the controller, Yanko Design in a post online revealed mock-ups based on the patents.
The news comes after late last year Google ran an eye-catching test for Project Stream.
This was a “technical test to solve some of the biggest challenges of streaming”.
And to put the tech through its paces Google streamed Assassin’s Creed Odyssey via the Google Chrome browser to a number of testers.
In a blog post Google said: “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.
“We’ve partnered with one of the most innovative and successful video game publishers, Ubisoft, to stream their soon-to-be released Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to your Chrome browser on a laptop or desktop.
“Starting on October 5, a limited number of participants will get to play the latest in this best-selling franchise at no charge for the duration of the Project Stream test.”
Google added: “We’re looking forward to what the future of streaming holds, and feedback from those participating in Project Stream.
“Thank you for helping us bring streaming to the next level.“
Whether Google’s gaming service goes up against the PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, or the next-gen PS5 and Xbox Scarlett remains to be seen.
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