Microsoft and Sony may be about to get some new competition in the console market as Google is currently rumoured to be partnering with Sega to develop a next-generation gaming console.
It’s long been thought that Google is working on its own console, currently known as Project Yeti. A patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office has already been revealed, which related to a Google gaming console controller. While the patent was not for the controller itself, it did contain images that looked to show the design of the controller.
According to Jonathan Downey, who hosts the YouTube channel Spawn Wave, Sega has become a major partner with Google. In a recent YouTube video where he looked at the current rumours circulating regarding Google’s potential console, Downey suggested that Google had partnered with Sega, although judging by his comments, it appears that Sega may be working on some games to debut on the console at release rather than actually helping develop the hardware.
In addition to Sega, Downey also suggests that Ubisoft may be a potential partner for Google. The company is known to be supportive of new, innovative hardware and have already worked with Google to help them test their new Project Stream software by streaming Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.
These rumours should, of course, be taken with a huge pinch of salt given that Downey did not reveal where he got the information from. Nonetheless though, these both seem plausible and seem reasonable partnerships for Google to seek if they are working on a new console.
As for the console itself, Google is expected to officially unveil the console at the 2019 Game Developers Conference, which takes place on March 18th. Perhaps this reveal will also include an announcement on any future partnerships, including ones with the likes of Sega and Ubisoft.