Google has finally revealed key details on their new Stadia game-streaming service. In a keynote address last week, they revealed the release date, price, game library that will be available and how fast your internet speed will need to be to play the games. The service will allow you to stream high-end games on the Chrome web browser, Chromecast Ultra TV dongle or a Pixel 3 smartphone from their new Google servers.
Google Stadia will launch in November in 14 different territories, including the US, UK and Canada. It will launch with at least 31 games from 21 different publishers. There will be an initial “Founder’s Edition”, which will cost $130 and gives access to a hardware starter kit and comes with three months of premium service. It will then revert to $10 a month afterwards. Google also stated that a separate free-tier will be coming in 2020.
Although Google Stadia has been called the “Netflix of games”, this isn’t a truly fitting description. Google has told the public they expect them to buy, not rent cloud games for the same retail price they may find on other platforms, such as PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and Steam.
There is a list of some really reputable developers and games coming to the service. Some publishers who have pledged support for the service include Ubisoft, Square Enix, Bethesda and 2K Games. Titles confirmed for the service include MK11, Borderlands 3, DOOM 2016, FFXIV and Baldur’s Gate 3. There are even some exclusive games, such as Coatsink’s Get Packed and Tequila Works’ Gylt, coming to the service. A number of developers are also working on unknown games for the service, such as Capcom, Rockstar Games and EA.
The question now is: “What internet speed will you need to play these games?” The Stadia Pro is a 4k60 streaming service with HDR and 5.1 surround sound that will require 35Mbps to run it. You will gain access to Stadia’s eventual free catalogue and exclusive discounts on games. The free tier will be limited to 1080p60 with stereo sound and will require a minimum of 10Mbps to stream games at 720p.
It seems that Google has made an aggressive push to be the leader in cloud gaming. The Stadia could be the future of gaming and with the number of games coming to the service, the service certainly seems more interesting than ever before.
What do you think of Google Stadia?
