When Google announced its Stadia cloud gaming service, many expected it to explode into the gaming industry and quickly establish itself. Stadia, since its public launch in late 2019, has moved much slower than expected. Stadia's limited library continues to be a matter of some concern for Stadia fans, but today Google announced a major step forward in that regard. Friday morning Google confirmed it was partnering with Ubisoft to release a variety of the publisher's new games on Stadia.
Fifteen more Ubisoft games are coming to Google Stadia in 2020, according to the announcement. That includes all of Ubisoft's biggest game releases of 2020 and the upcoming holiday season. Now confirmed as coming to Stadia are Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Riders Republic, and many more. Better yet, each of those games will be released on Google Stadia on the same day that they launch on other platforms.
Upcoming Ubisoft games aren't the only titles coming to Stadia, either, as Ubisoft also confirmed several other major releases from some of its most popular franchises will finally come to Stadia, too. Both Watch Dogs and Watch Dogs 2 are on that list, as are Assassin's Creed Origins, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and Assassin's Creed Unity. Then, Far Cry 5 and Far Cry New Dawn will help build up hype for Far Cry 6. These titles are scheduled to arrive holiday 2020.
While Ubisoft is adding some older releases to Google Stadia, it isn't clear whether more of Ubisoft's library of games will eventually come to the platform or not. For example, any of the older Assassin's Creed or Far Cry games would likely do well on the platform, but Ubisoft is likely taking it slow so that Stadia users aren't overwhelmed with new releases from each franchise. Those hoping for the original Assassin's Creed trilogy, for example, shouldn't give up hope yet.
The partnership between Ubisoft and Google isn't new, of course. In fact, Google partnered with Ubisoft earlier than any other publisher. Assassin's Creed Odyssey was used to beta test Google Stadia and was even given out for free to beta testers as a thanks for their help. Other Ubisoft games like Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Just Dance 2020, and The Crew 2 are also already available. The new announcement is simply an extension of Google and Ubisoft's previous arrangement.
More games, especially new games as they release, is a great boon for Google Stadia. However, continuing a partnership that was already established isn't going to shake anything up. Google Stadia may celebrate its one-year anniversary in a similar position to where it started, with Stadia's game library not be as large as some fans were hoping.