Activision Blizzard and Google have inked a new partnership that both names Google Cloud the \u2018preferred provider\u2019 for Activision Blizzard\u2019s many online games and hands exclusive esports league streaming rights over to Google\u2019s YouTube Gaming.<\/p>\n
The deal marks a significant partnership in both fields, as signing on with a major industry presence like Activision Blizzard aims to help Google highlight its assorted services as game development tools.<\/p>\n
While the press release detailing the arrangement mentions online play benefits like low latency as a plus to Google Cloud\u2019s new status as Activision Blizzard\u2019s preferred provider, it also notes that the platform\u2019s AI offerings were part of the reason it caught ActiBlizz\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n
Specifically, \u201c[players] will also have optimal personalized interactions, as Activision Blizzard can tap into Google Cloud’s AI tools to offer curated recommendations for in-game offers and differentiated gaming experiences.\u201c<\/p>\n
On the YouTube Gaming side of the deal, landing exclusive streaming rights (China excluded) for the Overwatch<\/em> League, Call of Dut<\/em>y League, and Hearthstone<\/em> esports events, among others, marks the platform\u2019s continued push into the streaming space.<\/p>\n Up until just recently, Twitch had maintained exclusive streaming rights<\/a> to Overwatch<\/em> League matches, a deal Venture Beat<\/a> says the streaming paid $90 million for back in 2018. The arrangement named Twitch the one and only home of those streams, but the partnership wasn’t renewed after its original two year period ended.<\/p>\n