Google Stadia’s November release window is close around the corner for those pre-ordering and the brand-new game streaming service promises a lot, but how is it going to deliver great performance, how much does it cost, and how can you get into the action first?
Google’s new streaming service will allow users to play any Googla Stadia available games on any device as long as you’ve got a stable internet connection, a controller/mouse and keyboard, and a chrome browser.
For now, the “Pro” service will set you back $9.99 a month and is only available in select regions. A separate free Google Stadia tier is coming later in 2020.
Continuing to pay the $9.99 a month for Google Stadia Pro gets you some select upgrades that aren’t available for free users including: 4k resolution streaming, 5.1 surround sound support, regularly released free games, and Stadia discounts on purchasable games.
That’s right, purchasable.
Stadia won’t be going the full Netflix route with their service, and instead only offer select games free to paying members. Other games will have to be purchased to play.
Here’s a list of games coming to Stadia (it’s currently unknown which games will be free and which must be purchased):
- Bandai Namco – Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- Bethesda – DOOM Eternal, DOOM 2016, Rage 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, Wolfenstein: Youngblood
- Bungie – Destiny 2
- Capcom -TBD
- Coatsink – Get Packed (Stadia exclusive)
- Codemasters – GRID
- Deep Silver – Metro Exodus
- Drool – Thumper
- Electronic Arts – TBD
- Giants Software – Farming Simulator 19
- Larian Studios – Baldur’s Gate 3
- nWay Games – Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
- Rockstar Games – TBD
- Sega – Football Manager
- SNK – Samurai Shodown
- Square Enix – Final Fantasy XV, Tomb Raider Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- 2K Games – NBA 2K, Borderlands 3
- Tequila Works – Gylt (Stadia exclusive)
- Warner Bros. – Mortal Kombat 11
- THQ – Darksiders Genesis
- Ubisoft – Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Trials Rising, The Crew 2
Google also says more games are slated to be announced for Stadia at E3.
To stream these games though, you will need a decent internet connection. Google also announced the connection speed requirements to play Stadia games.
For some, this may pose as a bit of an issue as rural areas may not be able to cover the speeds to play games at anything above 720p, but if you live in an area with good internet then 4k resolution definitely isn’t anything unobtainable if Google’s speed estimates are correct.
Of course, Google Stadia’s biggest promise is the ability to play anywhere on any device with a chrome browser, and we’re still to see if it can work out as seamlessly as Google promises us it will.
At launch though, not everyone will have the ability to play anywhere as Google decided to make the mobile streaming service a Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3a exclusive service at launch. Soon after launch, it will become available for iOS 11+ and Androind M+ devices.
If you’re an early adopter wanting to jump into Google’s new service then pre-orders are open for the Google Stadia Founder’s Edition. The Founder’s Edition contains a limited edition Night Blue Stadia controller, 3-months of Stadia Pro access, a 3-month Stadia Pro guest pass, a copy of The Destiny 2 Collection (which includes all previous expansions and the upcoming Shadowkeep expansion), and a Google Chromecast Ultra. However, the pre-order will set you back a heft $130.
Whether or now some people want it, Google Stadia is almost here and it looks like it’s going to stick around for a while.
If Google’s promised performance and ability to play games anywhere holds strong then Google Stadia might be something to look out for.
Pre-orders for the Founder’s Edition are up now, and if you pre-order you’ll get everything previously mentioned as well as the ability to play in November 2019. If you don’t purchase the full Founder Edition bundle, you’ll be locked off from Stadia until 2020.