EDIT 20220929: Google to close Stadia cloud service and refund gamers

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47634263

If it does indeed go for a subscription model, Google has some important decisions to make about how will dish money out to publishers.

On YouTube, one of the stats that determines how much ad revenue creators get is “minutes watched”. In gaming, “minutes played” could lead to some developers introducing gameplay mechanics that are counter-intuitive to a good time, but vital if they are to gain income.

Or, developers might have to make up the loss of funds by encouraging players to pay for additional items to progress more quickly, in a far more aggressive manner than console gamers are used to today.

The ad-laden, endorphin-pumping, lootbox-peddling mobile gaming industry might be considered the canary in a very miserable coal-mine, here. Paying for a games console, and its games, may not be such a bad thing after all.

https://www.wsj.com/tech/cybersecurity/a-looming-threat-to-bitcoin-the-risk-of-a-quantum-hack-24637e29

Advancements in quantum computing pose a potential threat to Bitcoin’s security. Google’s recent progress with its Willow quantum-computing chip has highlighted the possibility that future quantum computers could break the encryption protecting Bitcoin, enabling hackers to access secure digital wallets and potentially causing significant devaluation.

Researchers estimate that a quantum computer capable of such decryption is likely more than a decade away. Nonetheless, the Bitcoin developer community faces the complex task of upgrading the system to incorporate quantum-resistant encryption methods. Achieving consensus within the decentralized community may be a slow process, and users would eventually need to transfer their holdings to quantum-resistant addresses to safeguard their assets.

A quantum-powered attack on Bitcoin could also negatively impact traditional financial markets, possibly leading to substantial losses and a deep recession. To mitigate such threats, President-elect Donald Trump has proposed creating a strategic reserve for the government’s Bitcoin holdings.