Google is bringing high-end games to Chrome this week

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Google Project Stream
This game is being played in a web browser!
Photo: Google

Google is making it possible to play high-end games on even the cheapest computers.

Project Stream is a new service that will bring the most demanding PC titles to Chrome this week, starting with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. You’ll need a speedy internet connection, but expensive processors and graphics cards aren’t required.  

Game streaming has been slow to take off so far, but many believe it is the future of gaming.

Rather than relying on local hardware that players must purchase themselves, it offloads the grunt work to beefy computers stored elsewhere. Then, a lot like Netflix, it streams the gameplay to you so that you can enjoy a high-end experience on almost anything.

Several game streaming services are now available, but Google’s Project Stream wants to be the best.

Project Stream brings high-end games to Chrome

Stream is more accessible than most because all it requires is a speedy internet connection and Google Chrome — which most of us already have installed. What’s more, it will be free for the duration of the technical test.

Stream makes loading a high-end PC game as easy as visiting a website. You can enjoy the incredible detail and immersive gameplay offered by today’s best titles on a computer than might have cost under $200 — without installing tens of gigabytes worth of data.

Of course, game streaming is only enjoyable if it can be delivered with minimal latency and no graphic degradation. With Stream, Google hopes to iron out the kinks and perfect its service before it is opened up to all.

Stream testing starts Friday

“We’ve been working on Project Stream, a technical test to solve some of the biggest challenges of streaming,” Google explains. “For this test, we’re going to push the limits with one of the most demanding applications for streaming—a blockbuster video game.”

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will be available for streaming inside Chrome starting this Friday, October 5. A limited number of participants will be invited to try it for free. You will need to be aged 17 or older and a resident of the U.S. with a connection capable of reaching 25 Mbps.

You can apply for access through Google’s website.

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