Google hasn't given up on its video game streaming service. In a blog post, the company announced a slew of small but welcome features that are rolling out now to Stadia. The biggest addition is messaging -- that's right, simple text-based messages -- with friends and party members. The feature started rolling out last week, but now it's available in every region that Stadia currently supports. If you're using the Stadia controller or any other gamepad, you should also be able to access predictive'smart replies.' Google has made it easier to share your best gaming moments, too. If you record a video clip, for instance, it will now be captured with anything you were barking into a microphone.

Google plans to launch a video game streaming platform called Stadia, positioning itself to take on traditional video game business. Video games are following data and video into the cloud. Google, which has already announced its Stadia game streaming service will be available in November, will be showing that off at his year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which begins Saturday in Los Angeles. Microsoft is expected Sunday to reveal more about its own xCloud game platform, also being developed to deliver games via the cloud. Sony is partnering with Microsoft to augment its own cloud gaming strategy.

The Google Stadia controller used for playing games on Google's video game streaming service. The Stadia controller (priced separately at $69) uses WiFi to connect directly to the game running in Google's video game streaming service .the Google has shed some more clarity on its upcoming cloud-based video game service: an entry price, launch window and some of the games you will be able to play. Google's Stadia will become available in November with an entry price of $129.99 for the Founders Edition package (pre-order on Google's Stadia site), which includes a game controller, Chromecast Ultra streaming device and a three-month subscription. Cloud gaming promises to make it easier for consumers to play online games, as it sidesteps the need for pricey gaming PCs or console video game systems.

Google has officially announced a major new effort in the video game world -- and it might just change the future of the roughly $135 billion industry. Speaking at the annual Games Development Conference (GDC) in San Francisco on Tuesday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled Stadia, a long-rumored cloud-based games streaming service. Unlike with a traditional video game console or computer, which processes a game locally as it's being played, Stadia games are processed in the cloud, with the action beamed instantaneously to players over the Internet. Google promises a lag-free experience, as long as you have a fast enough Internet connection. "We are starting our next big challenge: building a game platform for everyone," Pichai said.