A Google executive has dismissed suggestions that Stadia is struggling, claiming the service is “alive and well”.
Developer marketing lead Nate Ahearn toldGamesIndustry.bizthat the platform is doing fine, despite reports to the contrary.
“We’re well on our way to over 100 new games launching on Stadia in 2021, and we’re continuing to make Stadia a great place to play games on devices you already own,” Ahearn said.
“I’d tell any non-believers to take notice of how we’re continuing to put our words into action, as we grow the Stadia Makers program and partner with AAA studios likeCapcom,EA,Square Enix,Ubisoftand others.”
The claim follows a number of high-profile departures from the Stadia team, partly prompted byGoogle‘s decision toclose all its internal game development teamsin order to focus on partnering with third-party studios.
They included former Stadia games boss Jade Raymond, wholeft to form a new studio called Haven, which is backed byPlayStationand has sincehired six more former Stadia employees.
It was also confirmed earlier this month that John Justice, formerly the VP and head of product for Stadia,had left the company.
A spokesperson told GI.biz that the new head of product is “long-time Googler and Stadia founder” Dov Zimring.
Questioned last week during the ongoing Epic vsApplecourt case,Epic GamesCEOTim Sweeneysaid theGoogle Stadiaservicehas been “significantly cut back”, as he understands it.
