Raccoon Logic's Alex Hutchinson Reflects on Stadia's Collapse and Future Plans

In a candid discussion with Eurogamer, Alex Hutchinson, co-founder and creative director of Raccoon Logic, shed light on the tumultuous journey of Stadia, Google’s ambitious foray into the gaming world that ultimately fizzled out. The platform, which promised to revolutionize gaming, collapsed just three years post-launch, leaving its users with little more than a Bluetooth controller and a series of cautionary tales.

Insights from the Inside

Hutchinson, whose studio Typhoon Studios was acquired by Google in December 2019, provided a deeper understanding of the challenges faced during Stadia’s brief existence. He noted that the lack of substantial content was a significant factor in its downfall, but emphasized that the root of the issue lay in Google’s misunderstanding of the gaming landscape. “Google really didn’t know what it was getting itself into,” he remarked, highlighting the disconnect between the tech giant and the gaming industry.

Typhoon Studios, known for developing the game Journey to the Savage Planet, faced a particularly harsh fate. Just as the game launched on Stadia in February 2021, the studio was shuttered, leaving behind unresolved issues and a team unable to address critical bugs. Hutchinson recounted the surreal experience of being expected to pitch major titles based on franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, despite the studio’s relatively small size. “No one was talking the same language… it was very difficult,” he reflected, recalling the confusion that often ensued during discussions with Google.

Moreover, the company’s insistence on creating games exclusively for cloud play added another layer of complexity. Hutchinson likened this demand to a hypothetical scenario where Netflix would only produce shows that couldn’t be aired on any other platform, a concept that left many scratching their heads. “They were very strange,” he noted, encapsulating the bewildering nature of the collaboration.

The timing of Typhoon’s closure was particularly cruel, coinciding not only with the launch of their game but also amid the global upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic. “It was pretty dark,” Hutchinson admitted, reflecting on the isolation felt by the team as they navigated the fallout of their situation without the comfort of camaraderie. “The most callous redundancies in games are the day you ship, you know… but that happening in a pandemic was really not fun.”

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Hutchinson found a silver lining in the experience, stating that the only positive takeaway was “money.” This financial boost has seemingly influenced Raccoon Logic’s upcoming sequel, Revenge of the Savage Planet. The new installment promises to build on the satirical themes of capitalism and corporatocracy that characterized the original game. In a twist of fate, the mid-tier corporation Kindred Aerospace from the first game has been acquired by a larger entity, Alta Interglobal, which sends players on a new mission into deep space.

However, as the story unfolds, Alta Interglobal quickly realizes the complexities and costs associated with space exploration, leading them to abandon the mission just as players arrive on the planet. “By the time you arrive on the planet, you’ve been made redundant,” Hutchinson explained, hinting at the intriguing narrative that awaits players.

With a release date anticipated in 2025, Revenge of the Savage Planet is set to offer a fresh perspective on the gaming industry, drawing from the lessons learned during the tumultuous era of Stadia.