Rumours of an impending Google games console and set-top box have been given a boost after the firm confirmed it has bought Green Throttle Games.
Google confirmed the acquisition, and stated that founder Charles Huang – who developed Guitar Hero – would keep the rights to the business, but did not reveal how much the deal was worth.
Reports about a potential Google console began last July, and were closely followed by rumours the firm was working on a set-top box – both of which would benefit from parts of Green Throttle Games’ business.
Green Throttle was set up in 2012 but its app was pulled from Android stores in November, and the company appeared to cease parts of its trading.
The Green Throttle service is a games console in the form of an app. This app can be added to tablets, phones and other smart devices and used to link with smart TVs, for example.
Games can then be played using an Atlas control pad, which looks similar to the Xbox controller, and up to four pads can be connected via Bluetooth.
As part of the deal, Google has bought the app and controller parts of the business, and hired Green Throttle’s founders Huang, Matt Crowley and Karl Townsend.
The Wall Street Journal were the first to report on plans for an Android-based Google games console last July.
