Google is already vying for control of your TV with its $35 Chromecast, but the company may be gearing up to release a new set-top box to compete directly with Apple TV and Amazon's rumored entry. A new report from PandoDaily reveals Google has acquired a number of assets from Green Throttle Games, suggesting the upcoming device will put an emphasis on big-screen gaming.
The Next Web confirmed the acquisition after speaking to a Google representative. The deal reportedly included Green Throttle co-founders Matt Crowley and Karl Townsend, while Guitar Hero-creator Charles Huang will continue to run the gaming company. There's no word on what technology may have been acquired, though we' imagine it's largely focused on playing Android games on your TV.
A number of other companies have attempted to make a business out of putting Android games on your TV screen. The most notable entry being Ouya, which made a big splash on Kickstarter but failed to catch on as a $99 console. It recently announced its plan to transition from hardware to a gaming platform on other devices. Considering Google's level of control over Android, the company probably has a better chance of finding success by bringing mobile games to your TV than any other competitor. The one exception may be Apple, which is also expected to introduce some sort of App Store access with the long-rumored next-generation Apple TV.
It's too soon to know anything for sure, but it looks like set-top box devices are about to get a whole lot better with a little help from Google and Apple.
