Google Stadia: Everything You Need to Know about Cloud-Based Gaming Platform

Earlier this year in March, Google showcased Cloud-based Gaming service, ‘Google Stadia’. During the announcement, the tech giant didn’t reveal the price, availability and games. On Thursday, the company puts all rumours and leaks to end as they officially announced the availability, price and games that will be available on the platform.

What is Google Stadia?

Google Stadia is a cloud-based gaming platform which doesn’t require any gaming console or high-end PC. You can play any available game on any device like TV, desktop, laptop, tablet and Smartphone.

Google aims to make gaming available to everyone with the platform without requiring high-end gaming consoles to play high-end games on your devices. Google has made a data center which is powered by a custom AMD GPUs, which sports 10.7 teraflops of GPU power which is higher than any gaming consoles – Xbox One X (6.0) and PS4 Pro (4.2).

Google Stadia will allow you to play any high graphics game at maximum 4k 60fps from your TV (with a Chromecast Ultra and a Stadia controller), PCs or smartphones (Pixel smartphones).

Requirements to Play Games on Google Stadia?

The first and most important requirement to play games on Google Stadia requires a device with an Internet connection and Google Chrome browser. Devices can be Smart TVs, Laptops, Desktops, Tablets and Mobile Smartphones. As of now, only Google Pixel smartphones support this and Smart TVs will require Chromecast Ultra and a Stadia Controller.

However, having a device, an internet connection and google chrome doesn’t confirm that you will be able to play games easily. It will require a high-speed stable internet connection, therefore, a broadband connection or a wi-fi connection are recommended as SIM card internet service providers can’t provide stable connection as of now (until 5G rolls out fully maybe).

Recommended Internet Speed:

According to Google, the minimum and best-recommended internet speed required to play games on Google Stadia are:

• 4K 60FPS, HDR, 5.1 surround sound: 35Mbps (Best)
• 1080p 60fps, 5.1 surround sound: 20Mbps
• 720p 60fps, Stereo Sound: 10Mbps (Minimum)

Google Stadia Accessories:

Google Stadia will work with most of the game controllers available in the market. However, the company also launched its own game controller — Stadia Controller.

Stadia Controller has an 802.11ac Dual-band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2 LE, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port for charging, and accessories such as USB-C headsets, Google Assistant button, microphone, Quick access to image and video capture. It measures 163x105x65mm and weighs 268 grams.

It comes with many unique features which are not available on other game controllers. The controller directly connects to the cloud through to ensure smooth gameplay on any device. It also comes with a capture button and Google assistant button. Capture button lets you share your gameplay with others.

Stadia Controller price is $69 (roughly Rs. 4,800). It will be available in Wasabi, Clearly White and Just Black colour options.

Google Stadia: Price and Availability

Considering the pricing of the cloud-based gaming platform, the company made two service options available for users:

1. Stadia Pro at $9.99 per month: It is a subscription-based service that starts at $9.99 per month (roughly Rs. 700 per month). The subscription will allow you to play all available games at maximum 4K 60 fps.
2. Stadia Base is free: If users don’t want to buy subscription service, then you need to buy games separately at respective prices as Stadia base is free.

However, the free Base will be available in 2020. On the other hand, Stadia Pro will be available this year but cannot be purchased independently. Stadia Pro comes with a bundle pack that is Stadia Founder’s Edition.

The Stadia Founder’s Edition bundle includes a limited-edition Night Blue Stadia Controller, a Google Chromecast Ultra, 3 months of Stadia Pro, a 3-month buddy pass for giving Pro access to a friend, and a copy of Destiny 2: The collection game. The Stadia Founder’s Edition price is $129 (roughly Rs. 9,000).

Google Stadia will be officially available in November 2019 in Belgium, Finland, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the USA. It is also available for pre-order in these countries via Google Store.

Google Stadia price in India and availability is yet to be announced.

Stadia Pro vs Stadia Base: The Difference

Stadia Base will support game up to 1080p with stereo sound whereas Stadia Pro will support game up to 4K HDR at 60 fps with 5.1 surround sound.

Stadia Base will run easily at minimum 5Mbps stable internet connection whereas Stadia Pro can require up to 35Mbps stable internet connection for maxed-out settings.

Here’s a catch in Stadia Pro that is getting the subscription at $9.99 per month doesn’t include any games. You will still need to pay for games individually. However, the company promised that it will regularly release free games for Pro and will provide additional discounts on select games.

Google Stadia: Available Games

As of now, 31 games are available on the gaming platform and later more games will be added. The games which are available are:

1. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
2. Doom Eternal
3. Doom (2016)
4. Rage 2
5. The Elder Scrolls Online
6. Wolfenstein: Youngblood
7. Destiny 2
8. Get Packed
9. Grid
10. Metro Exodus
11. Thumper
12. Farming Simulator 19
13. Baldur’s Gate III
14. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
15. Football Manager
16. Samurai Shodown
17. Final Fantasy XV
18. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
19. Rise of the Tomb Raider
20. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
21. NBA 2K
22. Borderlands 3
23. Gylt
24. Mortal Kombat 11
25. Darksiders Genesis
26. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
27. Just Dance
28. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint
29. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
30. Trials Rising
31. The Crew.