With Microsoft’s Project xCloud set to release next month, Google Stadia might need a flagship game to put it over the top. Microsoft’s cloud gaming service offers hundreds of Xbox games to mobile players. How can Google beat a massive library of games? Right now, Google’s hopes rest on games like Baldur’s Gate 3.
Google Stadia and Baldur’s Gate 3
Gizmodo reports that Larian Studios, developers of Baldur’s Gate 3, is excited to work on the Stadia. They wanted to bring the game to Stadia because it’s much easier than porting it to the Xbox or Playstation. Moreover, Larian has stressed they were thrilled to work with Stadia’s development tools. These tools let them do things they can’t do on PC or other consoles.
Stadia's success as a serious gaming platform rests on Baldur's Gate 3 https://t.co/fkkbGp6UvC pic.twitter.com/afqoyDhyJJ
— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) August 18, 2020
Baldur’s Gate 3 on Stadia: “Crowd Choice”
For example, Google Stadia has a feature called “Crowd Choice.” This feature allows Stadia users to start live polls online while playing. Before players make an in-game decision, they can ask viewers what they should do. As of now, Crowd Choice comes as multiple choice or chat poll options.
With this new feature, viewers can vote on the player’s gear. They can buff or debuff the streamer’s character. If the player talks to an NPC, the viewers can vote on how the NPC responds. Notably, viewers can even take control of enemies and bosses.
Larian hopes to take advantage of this feature for Baldur’s Gate 3.
What’s Next for Google Stadia
However, Business Insider said Google isn’t giving developers enough money incentives to make games. The company has also quit on large projects in the past, which might be possible for Stadia.
