Google opens first gaming studio for Stadia, based in Montreal

Google’s Stadia game streaming service is set to launch next month, and it’s certainly got a variety of titles to play. But what about games you simply can’t play anywhere else?

Well, the search giant has just announced its first gaming studio devoted to the platform, based in Montreal, Canada.

“Stadia Games and Entertainment’s studio will produce exclusive, original content across a diverse portfolio of games in all your favorite genres,” said Stadia Games and Entertainment chief Jade Raymond in a Google blog post.

Raymond adds that the studio will “change how games are made,” saying that they’re pushing for a diverse and inclusive workplace. Hopefully Google’s first gaming studio doesn’t fall prey to crunch culture either, as is the case for so many studios out there.

Google’s decision to form a first-party studio also suggests a longer term commitment to Stadia. Blockbuster video games usually take two years or longer to be developed, so the first exclusive game almost certainly won’t be available at launch next month.

First-party studios are also generally able to take full advantage of a platform’s capabilities, as they’re being developed solely with the target platform in mind. And with Stadia touting a ton of computing power and deep YouTube integration, we’re really keen to see just how the studio takes advantage of these features.

Interested in joining the new Stadia studio? You can apply for a job at the link.