Google is throwing its hat into the ring of the video game world with a service that has the potential to change gaming as we know it. The Google Stadia platform has the potential to run high-end games without the need to purchase costly hardware. We say "potential" since there is still no concrete proof that Google Stadia will work as advertised in the wild.
Those who purchase the Founder's Edition of Google Stadia will be given the chance to experience it for the first time next month, but there is also a free version that is due to be launched next year. TheGamer has created a guide that breaks down the facts of Google Stadia for those who are curious about purchasing the service.
What Is Google Stadia?
Google Stadia is an upcoming gaming platform that will allow people to play games without needing to purchase expensive hardware. All the player needs is a fast Internet connection, a controller, and a device capable of running Google Chrome. The games will run at their highest performance settings and all of the hard work is done on the server end.
Games will still cost full-price to purchase on Google Stadia, but there is a Pro service that offers free monthly games, along with discounts on available titles. All of the games available in the launch line-up of Google Stadia are available on different systems.
When Does It Launch?
There are two versions of Google Stadia that are planned for release - Base and Pro. The Base version will be released sometime in 2020, while the Pro version will be made available early to those who purchase the Founder's Edition, which will be released on November 19.
What Are The Differences Between The Pro And Base Versions?
The Base version of Google Stadia will be free to use by everyone, so long as they possess an Internet connection that's good enough to handle the games. There are certain limitations with using the Base version of Google Stadia, as the games will run at a maximum of 1080p resolution.
The Pro version of Stadia costs $9.99 a month and will allow subscribers to stream games at 4K resolution and use 5.1 surround sound. Subscribers will receive a free game every month, starting with Destiny 2: The Collection in November 2019, as well as receiving discounts on available games.
A minimum Internet connection of 10 Mbit/s will be required for 720p games, 20 Mbit/s for 1080p, and 35 Mbit/s for 4K.
What's In The Box?
The Founder's Edition of Google Stadia costs $129 and the player will be sent several physical items to use with the service.
The people who order the Founder's Edition will receive a Google Stadia controller, a USB charging cable for the controller, a Chromecast Ultra, a power adapter with an ethernet port for the Chromecast Ultra, a three-month subscription to Stadia Pro, a Buddy Pass that gives a friend a three-month subscription to Stadia Pro, a Founder's badge, and a Founder's Stadia name.
Should You Buy It?
Google Stadia could be an impressive piece of tech, assuming that it works as advertised, which is something that is still up in the air. The items in the Founder's Edition are a harder sell, as Google Stadia is meant to work with any HID class USB controller, so the proprietary one isn't a necessity and a Chromecast Ultra on its own costs around seventy dollars.
The Founder's Edition will give players a chance to experience an untested version of Google Stadia at launch. The reason we say this is because a limited number of Founder's Editions were made, which means that fewer people will be using the service in November than there will be in 2020. It's possible that the influx of free users of the Base version of Google Stadia will cause issues with the service and no one will know for sure what will happen until next year.
Google Stadia will have no exclusive titles at launch, which means that all of the games will be available for a lower price on other systems, so there is no real incentive for people who already own a modern system.
If you are someone who doesn't own a console or gaming PC, then Google Stadia will be the ideal service, as the price of the Founder's Edition is a lot lower than buying a gaming machine. If you already own a gaming PC, a Nintendo Switch, a PlayStation 4, or Xbox One, then there isn't much need in buying a Founder's Edition at launch, outside of curiosity for how well the service will work.