What is Google Stadia? Everything you need to know about gaming platform

Chris Price Gaming, Google, News
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Google has given more details about its upcoming cloud-based gaming platform Stadia, announcing prices and game titles.

Here is how the tech giant’s offering looks so far:

What is Stadia and how does it work?

Stadia is Google’s forthcoming video gaming service, which uses the cloud to stream games instead of requiring players to download them.

Users will not require a console and because it is cloud-based, Google’s servers will handle much of the weighty tasks.

The company believes this will be an advantage over consoles such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, which involve waiting for downloads.

What do I need to play Stadia?

Stadia is focused on Google’s existing products and will allow gamers to play across multiple devices.

Users can play on a TV using a Chromecast Ultra stick, a laptop through the Chrome web browser, tablets and Google Pixel 3 and 3a smartphones.

In terms of controls, people can either use an existing gaming controller, a mouse and keyboard or they can buy Stadia’s own controller.

As it is constantly streamed, users will also need an internet connection.

There are plans to launch on other devices in the future, including more smartphones.

What connection speeds are required for Stadia?

Google says players will not require huge connection speeds to use Stadia because it handles much of the demanding processes at its end and streams it back to players.

So to use its high-quality 4K gaming at 60 frames per second, a connection speed of about 35mbps is said to be enough.

The minimum is 10mbps for at least 720p quality.

How much will Stadia cost?

There are a variety of pricing options depending on whether players choose to go for a subscription or non-subscription.

The initial offering available to pre-order is the Founder’s Edition, which costs £119 upfront for early access to the service, as well as extras such as a Stadia controller and three months of free Stadia Pro.

There will also be complimentary games included, starting with Destiny 2: The Collection.

Once the free three months are up, Stadia Pro costs £8.99 a month, with discounts on select game purchases.

It is not clear how many games Google intends to include as part of the subscription.

Alternatively, there is a free non-subscription tier, called Stadia Base, where people can just buy the titles they want individually, although they will only be able to use Stadia at up to 1080p.

When does it launch?

Only those who pre-order the Founder’s Edition will be able to use Stadia first, from November.

Other plans will not be available until next year.

Which games will be on offer?

So far, the following games have been announced:

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Doom Eternal
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Destiny 2
Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid
Baldur’s Gate 3
Metro Exodus
Thumper
Grid
Samurai Shodown
Football Manager 2020
Get Packed
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Crew 2
The Division 2
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Trials Rising
NBA 2K
Borderlands 3
Farming Simulator 19
Mortal Kombat 11
Rage 2
Final Fantasy XV
Gylt
Tomb Raider Trilogy
Darksiders Genesis
Just Dance 2020

Which countries will Stadia be available in?

Stadia will launch in 14 countries initially – the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the US.

Chris Price
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