Google is testing a way to stream games directly from search results

Google is testing launching a cloud game from a search results page. A feature not limited to Google Stadia that may help technology adoption.

One of the things that can help cloud gaming adoption is to make it as easy to access as possible. This includes being able to start the game without realizing it, or almost not realizing it. To that end, Google is today testing a way to launch a game with a simple click on a search results page, even if it’s not on the giant’s own Stadia platform.

Google is testing launching a cloud game from a search results page

The test in question, discovered by Bryant Chappelle of The Nerf Report, not only allows people to directly run the game on Stadia, but also works with Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna. If you’ve been selected for the quiz and are looking for a game on one of these platforms (such as Destiny 2 or Halo Infinite), you should see a “Play”button in the information bar. By clicking on it, you will either start the game or go to the game launch page on the corresponding cloud gaming platform.

The function is not limited to Google Stadia

The Verge and 9to5Google saw this feature in action. The latter indicates that search results may even indicate whether the game is in a limited trial or is available for free as part of a premium subscription.

No wonder Mountain View is testing such a feature. For several years now, the tech giants have been showing users that they can watch movies and TV shows right from the search results. For example, if you have a Netflix subscription and search for Stranger Things on Google, you can start watching the series with just one click.

that could contribute to the introduction of technology

Finally, in hindsight, it’s a little odd that Google didn’t offer this feature to Stadia from the start to promote their cloud gaming service. And on the other hand, the Stadia store didn’t have a dedicated search feature for a year and a half, which is further proof that the platform is not really among the priorities of the American giant. In any case, Stadia is still alive, Google is not going to abandon it and even gradually adds new features.