Brink, Gears 5 Multiplayer Dev Working On Google Stadia Exclusive

Splash Damage--the studio responsible for the first-person parkour shooter Brink, and the multiplayer components for both Gears of War 4 and 5--has announced that it's partnering with Google to develop "an exclusive title" for the company's cloud gaming service Stadia.

"We're thrilled to finally announce that we're working on an exclusive title in partnership with Google Stadia," Splash Damage wrote in a brief blog post. "At Splash Damage we're always looking to innovate, and always looking for partners and platforms that allow us to do just that. We've been huge fans of Stadia ever since it was announced and have been amazed by both the technology and passion for gaming that the Stadia team has.

"We're excited to share more with all of you about this project in the coming months."

It's unclear what the studio is working on with Google, but Splash Damage tends to work on multiplayer-focused projects. Splash got its start working on map mods for Quake 3 Fortress before delving into its first official project in Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. The studio has also developed the multiplayer for Batman: Arkham Origins, Doom 3, and the aforementioned Gears of War 4 and 5. The team has also had its hands in Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and the PC version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Splash Damage is currently developing Gears Tactics.

Despite Stadia's lukewarm reception at launch, Google remains committed to the cloud gaming service. Google announced that it has opened a brand-new studio with former SIE Santa Monica Studio head Shannon Studstill. According to Stadia games and entertainment boss Jade Raymon, Studstill's studio will focus on "delivering exclusive games, using new gameplay mechanics, creative ways to play together and unique interaction models that we're just starting to explore."