What is Google Stadia?
While the announcement is an exciting update in the world of console gaming, Google Stadia is not technically a console. Rather, it is a cloud gaming platform. This will enable players to buy games and stream them over the internet, instead of purchasing a physical console and game discs.
“NO CONSOLE REQUIRED TO PLAY YOUR FAVOURITE GAME”
Phil Harrison – Vice President and GM, Google
How does it work?
Operating through the Google Chrome browser, players will be able to stream games to a variety of devices. This includes any screen connected to a Chromecast, Pixel 3 phones as well as laptop and desktop computers.
An internet connection is required and will directly impact the quality of your gaming experience. Google are recommending a speed of at least 30Mbps for those who want to stream games in 4K resolution. As long as your internet speed is above 20Mbps you’ll be able to play in 1080p, with HDR video and 5.1 surround sound. 10Mbps is slated as the minimum, and will reduce you to 720p and stereo sound. 60 frames per second is the standard, regardless of your connection speed.
How much will it cost?
Providing you have the equipment and an internet connection, Google will be offering a free version called Stadia Base. However, this will be limited to lower resolution and sound quality.
Stadia Pro will offer improved features, but is a paid plan. For £8.99 a month, you’ll be able to play in up to 4K resolution with 5.1 surround sound (depending on your internet connection). This subscription would also give you access to additional free games, as well as exclusive discounts on select games. Reassuringly, any games purchased would still be available to play if you cancelled your subscription and switched to Stadia Base.
Ahead of launch, Google will be heavily promoting the Stadia pre-order offering. The “Founder’s Edition” will cost £119 and includes a Google Chromecast Ultra (£69 value) and a Night Blue Stadia Controller (pre-order exclusive, other controllers £59 value). As well as instant access on launch day, you’ll be able to secure your Founder’s Stadia Name and receive a Founder’s Badge. Also included is 3 months access to Stadia Pro and a Buddy Pass so you can gift 3 months access to a friend. That’s almost £155 of value, without counting the Buddy Pass and the founder privileges.
When is it released?
Google Stadia will launch in November 2019, conveniently close to the Christmas period. It also looks like a strategic decision to launch the platform a year before Sony and Microsoft release their next consoles.
What games will be available?
Brief glimpses of gameplay were shown during the announcement video, but the Google Stadia website lists the following titles.
- Football Manager 2020
- NBA 2K
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Destiny 2
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Wolfenstein: Youngblood
- Final Fantasy XV
- Ghost Recon Breakpoint
- Tomb Raider Trilogy
- Borderlands 3
- Farming Simulator 19
- The Crew 2
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Darksiders Genesis
- Metro Exodus
- Trials Rising
- Just Dance
- The Division 2
- Gylt
- Samurai Shodown
- Get Packed
- Rage 2
- Thumper
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Grid
- DOOM Eternal
- Dragonball Xenoverse 2
It’s worth pointing out that this list isn’t exhaustive. Gaming platforms live and die by the titles that are made available for them, so Google will be working hard to secure a strong pipeline of releases. This means many more games will be available in future, but we’d also expect additional titles to be added before the launch.
Will FIFA 20 be on Google Stadia?
It’s unclear at this stage, but the absence of FIFA 20 from the list of titles above or any promotional materials will have disappointed many.
Right now, our feeling is that it is unlikely for FIFA 20 to be available on Google Stadia at launch. The FIFA Series is a huge title and would have almost certainly been involved in pre-launch promotion. Likewise, EA Sports have released an update on FIFA 20 that didn’t mention Google Stadia at all.
However, it seems unlikely that EA Sports could resist the opportunity to increase their player base, given the commercial success of Ultimate Team over the last decade. There’s no reason why they couldn’t launch on Stadia midway through the game cycle, although that would likely irritate players that had already purchased a version for PS4, Xbox One or PC.