Google is now processing Stadia refunds ahead of the service’s closure

Google has started processing Stadia refunds ahead of the service’s upcoming closure.

The company recently announced that the game streaming service will be shut down on January 18, 2023, when players will lose access to their game library.

At the time, it also confirmed that it intended to refund all Stadia hardware purchases made through the Google Store, and all game and add-on content purchases made through the Stadia store.

“Starting November 9, 2022, Stadia will attempt to automatically process refunds for all purchases of games, add-on content and subscriptions fees other than Stadia Pro made through the Stadia Store,” Google said in a new FAQ.

“We ask for your patience as we work through each transaction and ask that you refrain from contacting Customer Support as they will not be able to expedite your refund during this time. We still expect the majority of refunds to be processed by January 18th, 2023.”

This majority of refunds for Stadia hardware purchased through the Google Store are also expected to be processed by this date.

Google said it will attempt to provide refunds via the original payment method, and that if this isn’t possible it will email customers with instructions on how to set up an alternate refund method.

Announcing the Stadia closure plans in September, platform general manager Phil Harrison admitted that the service hadn’t gained the traction with users that Google expected following its November 2019 launch.

According to Google, the underlying technology platform that powers Stadia will be used across other parts of the company like YouTube, Google Play, and its Augmented Reality (AR) efforts.

“We remain deeply committed to gaming, and we will continue to invest in new tools, technologies and platforms that power the success of developers, industry partners, cloud customers and creators,” Harrison said.

Related

Players can now transfer Cyberpunk 2077 saves from Stadia to other platforms

CD Projekt details the save transfer process ahead of Stadia shutdown

“For the Stadia team, building and supporting Stadia from the ground up has been fueled by the same passion for games that our players have. Many of the Stadia team members will be carrying this work forward in other parts of the company.”

Multiple game studios have since said they’re working on ways to transfer player accounts from Stadia titles to other platforms. They include Assassin’s Creed maker Ubisoft, Destiny studio Bungie, Hitman creator IO Interactive and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red.