In this week’s TPoI, Google is working on a game streaming service, the ESL acquires a minority stake in Indian publisher Nazara Technologies, and Quantic Dreams faces allegations of promoting an unhealthy work environment.

Google to Build a Subscription-Based Game Streaming Service

An exclusive article on The Information Wednesday revealed that Google is planning to release a service, codenamed Yeti, that would stream games to the company’s chromecast devices or potentially to a Google-made console. PC World noted that Google jumping into the games market could cause a significant change to the industry and compared the event to Microsoft’s unveiling of the Xbox in 2001. Ars Technica speculated that Google’s decision to hire Phil Harrison, former executive of Sony’s Playstation division and Microsoft’s Xbox division, may have been inspired by the company’s plans to develop a gaming console.

ESL Acquires Minority Stake in Nazara Technologies

In a bid to expand the reach of their esports operation, the Electronic Sports League (ESL) has acquired a minority stake in the Indian gaming firm, Nazara Technologies. According to The Hindu Business Line, the agreement is worth an undisclosed amount and includes a license agreement with Nodwin Gaming, an Indian esports association which is part of the Nazara brand. Gamesindustry.biz featured a quote from Ralf Reichert, ESL’s CEO, which says, “We believe that Nazara, one of the leading mobile games companies will help us in expanding our ESL operations through strategic local partnerships.” Nazara has been working to expand esports events and coverage in India, and have developed a $20 million initiative to help grow the ecosystem.

Game Development Studio Quantic Dreams Faces Claims of Toxic Work Environment

The developers of the upcoming game Detroit: Become Human, Quantic Dream, have been facing claims of a toxic studio environment since the start of the year and have just recently been hit with another allegation that is damaging the studio’s reputation. Eurogamer featured a statement from the company which claims that these allegations are baseless, even though three separate accounts of homophobic and sexist behavior have come out since the start of 2018. TSA reports that the Paris Council has opened an investigation into the studio and issued a statement which confirms that the council may rescind any tax credits and funding if they claims are true.