San Francisco, California – Alex Hutchinson, co-founder and creative director of Raccoon Logic, recently shared insights on the challenges faced when working with Google on cloud-based games. In a discussion with VGC, Hutchinson revealed that Google was requesting games that were beyond the capabilities of smaller development teams, aiming for titles typically created by much larger teams of 400 to 600 people. The discrepancy in expectations led to communication breakdowns, with Hutchinson stating, “No one was talking the same language.”
Hutchinson’s comments shed light on the dynamics of developing games for Google’s cloud gaming platform, Stadia. The struggles faced by Raccoon Logic in meeting Google’s demands were further emphasized through the company’s recent billboard campaign in San Francisco. The billboard, featuring a QR code linked to a promotional page for Revenge of the Savage Planet, humorously references their past relationship with “Gunther Harrison,” a nod to a former Google executive. The campaign also includes a pledge to donate to the Canadian Mental Health Association for each scan of the billboard.
Gunther Harrison, once a prominent figure in the promotion of Stadia, exited Google in 2023 after initially joining the company in 2018. Harrison’s tenure at Google followed stints at Sony and Microsoft within the gaming industry, where he was involved in high-profile projects such as the PlayStation 3 launch and the Xbox One rollout. Despite his departure from Google, Harrison has yet to announce his next career move, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile.
The challenges faced by Raccoon Logic and their interactions with Google provide valuable insights into the complexities of developing games for cloud-based platforms. The discrepancies in expectations and communication issues highlighted by Hutchinson’s experience underscore the unique obstacles encountered by smaller development teams when working with tech giants like Google. As the landscape of cloud gaming continues to evolve, navigating these challenges will be crucial for developers seeking success in this innovative space.