Google starts refunding Stadia hardware buys made on the Google Store

Google tweeted today that it’s starting to take care of discounts for Stadia hardware purchased on the Google Store. In September, the company made the announcement that it was adding its cloud gaming service to the long list of projects that were buried in the “Google graveyard.”

Purchases of the Stadia controller and bundles that included a Chromecast Ultra and the WiFi-connected gamepad are being refunded by Google. It began reimbursing users earlier this month for Stadia game purchases, ensuring that the majority of users receive their initial investment back. Stadia Pro, Google’s answer to PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, and Stadia hardware purchased from Best Buy will not have their subscription fees refunded by Google.

The company claims that the refunds will be processed automatically. It anticipates that the majority of them will be finished by the time the cloud gaming service ends on January 18th. The company will notify you via email using the Google account you used to make the purchase(s) if it is unable to automatically issue a refund to your original method of payment.

The shutdown was not exactly shocking, despite the fact that Stadia’s demise disappointed its small but dedicated fan base. Since the company began reducing its investment in the platform just over a year after its launch, the signs were already there.