Google’s newly-launched game streaming platform may be the hot topic in gaming circles these days, at least until NVIDIA GeForce NOW fully opened its doors, but, in the grand scheme of things, Stadia isn’t exactly a hot market. To date, the platform only has over two dozen games to boast of more than three months after it launched and the lack of titles may be turning off potential gamers from throwing money at it. It turns out, even Google itself may not be so eager to throw its own cash into the platform which, in turn, is giving game developers some hangups.
A gaming console or platform lives and dies by the games available for it, no matter how innovative the system might be. Stadia promises the ability to play on almost any device and, depending on that device, almost anywhere but that promise falls flat when there aren’t that many games to choose from in the first place. Google promises over a hundred titles to be available before the year ends, which is a measly number in comparison to its rivals, but Business Insider’s sources may cast some doubt on that future.
Game developers, especially indie ones that aren’t tied to exclusivity with other platforms or stores, are apparently either unmotivated to bring their titles to Stadia or are even scared of investing in it. Perhaps even both. The former is due to Google offering almost no incentive, specifically financial ones, to make their games available on the streaming service. There are offers, reportedly, but they are so low they may as well not exist.
And then there’s Google notorious culture of axing even its most expensive projects, sometimes even without warning. Stadia does have partners involved so it might not be so fast to pull the trigger in this case. The common sentiment among developers, however, is that Google might not really be staying in this market for long.
For now, it seems that Stadia is focusing on the big and popular titles, perhaps as a show of technical strength and clout more than anything. But indie games, or at least the non-AAA titles, have also become crucial to the success of gaming platforms, both consoles and PCs. Google definitely needs to get these developers into Stadia if only to prove that it’s here for the long haul.
MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.
In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.
“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.
“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”
The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.
In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.
However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.
The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.
“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
