Google signals the end of the games console

Google has moved into the Games industry by launching a new platform called Stadia, which will remove the need for consoles by streaming to any device.

Launched alongside a new controller, the gaming platform will see all of the computation for the Games done by cloud computing - meaning the only thing gamers will need is a screen and an internet connection.

The goal, according to the web giant, is to make Games available at high resolution and 60 frames per second, with surround sound.

The specs match those of the top consoles on the market, although there are very few Games which support such high quality graphics.

Image:An image of the game available on Stadia. Pic: Google

Stadia will launch later this year in select countries, including the US, the UK, Canada and much of Europe - although a price hasn't been announced.

Google said that its global network of data centres makes the platform possible, but its combination with YouTube is what the company is really banking on for development.

"In a world where there are more than 200 million people watching game-related content daily on YouTube, Stadia makes many of those Games playable with the press of a button.

"If you watch one of your favourite creators playing Assassin's Creed Odyssey, simply click the 'play now' button.

"Seconds later, you'll be running around ancient Greece in your own game/on your own adventure-no downloads, no updates, no patches and no installs."

To complement this Google will be launching its own controller, which will connect directly to the company's data centres via WiFi.

This, it is hoped, will tackle the lag issues between users pressing a button and the computer registering the command when streaming Games.

Shares in Google's parent company Alphabet were trading almost 1% up after the announcement.