Google Stadia is not shutting down; Company addresses wild rumor that its gaming service is closing soon

Social media platforms have made it very easy to spread the latest news and information about all sorts of topics, but they also do the same for wild rumors. And Google Stadia was recently the subject of an unverified claim that quickly circulated online, suggesting the game streaming service is closing this summer.

The good news is Google has since debunked those claims, maintaining that Stadia is here to stay. In response to a Twitter user, the official Google Stadia page wrote, “Stadia is not shutting down. Rest assured we're always working on bringing more great games to the platform and Stadia Pro.”

Google Stadia had to issue the clarification after a random Facebook post was shared on other social platforms and went viral. The post, which should immediately raise red flags based on how it was worded, claimed that Google had started planning the shutdown of Stadia.

It also insisted that the cloud streaming service would be closed “by the end of summer” and that Google would use the “same exit approach and strategy” it did for Google Play Music. The rumor proceeded to claim that Google Stadia users should receive a notification 30 to 60 days before the supposed shutdown.

It is worth noting that the source of the original post has no known track record when it comes to tech or video game leaks. But the rumor quickly made the rounds on Twitter and Reddit and was even picked up by some gaming sites.

Aside from Google Stadia’s Twitter response, it also poked fun at the original post in a follow-up Twitter update. “Old coworker of mine is now one of the social managers for Google. They had a pretty large seminar in California this past weekend, and long story short you now can play ‘Wavetale’ at no additional cost on Stadia Pro until August 1,” the company wrote.

With the Google Stadia shutdown rumors put to rest, users can now focus on new titles added to the streaming service’s library. The action-adventure “The Forgotten City” and casual strategy game “Neighbours Back From Hell” are the latest additions to Stadia which both became available last week.

Photo by Alberto Bianchini on Unsplash