Google has set the launch date for its game streaming service, Stadia. It will launch on November 19 for purchasers of the Founder’s Edition.
The Founder’s Edition is $130 upfront for three months of the Stadia Pro gaming service, a Chromecast Ultra, and the Stadia Controller. The Chromecast Ultra normally retails for $70 by itself. After your three months are up, Stadia Pro is $9.99 a month.
Google Stadia boasts existing and upcoming AAA titles for purchase, such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Cyberpunk 2077. It also has the Stadia Pro subscription service, which launches with Destiny 2: The Collection, including the Shadowkeep and Forsaken expansions with Annual Passes, Curse of Osiris, and Warmind.
Google recommends a minimum internet speed of 10 MBPS to run games in 720p at 60 frames per second. You’ll need a healthy internet connection of 35 MBPS to run games at 4K resolution.
We here at GF365 have expressed some doubts about Stadia in the past. However, upon this writer’s Stadia-based connection check, just about anyone with an “upper tier” high-speed connection package should meet the criteria that Google set.
The launch catalog for Stadia looks fairly decent with big recent and upcoming releases, including Borderlands 3 and Watch Dogs: Legion. On the horizon are Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Doom Eternal. It’s our understanding that you’ll have to pay for those games separate from the Pro subscription.
Destiny 2: The Collection is the only game announced so far for the Pro subscription. Google says that games will be added to the Pro service “regularly,” but they’re pretty mum on details at the moment.
If you don’t buy the Founder’s Edition, you won’t be able to use Stadia until next year. In 2020, Google plans to release a free Stadia Base, which will allow you to buy games to stream. However, Stadia Base will only render at a maximum resolution of 1080p.
What do you think about Google Stadia? Is this the kind of gaming service you hope to see in the future?
