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Monday, November 18, 2019

Early reviews for Stadia aren't looking good — and everything else we know

Google's vision for the future of gaming is almost here.

The world of gaming is changing. Google has a new platform called Stadia. Rather than coming to market with another console or PC competitor, Stadia's a new service that allows you to play your favorite games on all of your devices using powerful streaming technology.

Ready to learn more? Let's dive in.

You want this

Stadia Founder's Edition

$129 at Google Store

Be among the first to play Stadia.

The Stadia Founder's Edition is available for pre-order now and is necessary to be among the first to access the service. Not only do you gain early access in November, but you also get a Chromecast Ultra, Stadia Controller, and three free months of Stadia Pro for you and a friend.

Check out our hands-on impressions

At GDC 2019, we were able to go hands-on with Stadia and see if it's really all Google's cracking it up to be.

While the experience was limited to just one game (Assassin's Creed Odyssey), we came away cautiously optimistic. We'll still need more hands-on time to put together a full opinion, but what Google's shown us so far does look quite good.

Then, at Google I/O 2019 this past May, we were allowed to use the official Stadia Controller. Spoiler alert, it's really damn good.

What exactly is Stadia?

Stadia is the name of Google's game streaming service. Similar to NVIDIA GeForce Now and Shadow, it's a platform that allows you to play video games on virtually any device thanks to streaming technology.

Rather than launching a new physical console that accesses Stadia, you'll just use it on the tech you already own. This includes phones, tablets, computers, etc. At its demo during GDC, Google showed Stadia working on a Pixelbook, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel Slate, and on a TV using a Chromecast Ultra.

At launch, Stadia will allow you to stream games in up to 4K quality and 60 frames per second (FPS). In the future, Google says that it'll allow for streaming in 8K at 120 FPS. In other words, it'll ostensibly be just as powerful as the Xbox One X at launch and only get better as time goes on.

What games work with Stadia?

Stadia works with existing third-party games that you'd expect to find on any gaming console. Third-party developers that want to bring their games to Stadia can do so at stadia.dev. As of Nov. 11, 2019, here are all of the games that have been confirmed for the platform:

  • Anno 1800
  • Assassin's Creed Odyssey
  • Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • Borderlands 3
  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • Darksiders Genesis
  • Destiny 2
  • Destroy All Humans!
  • DOOM
  • DOOM Eternal
  • Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
  • Fary Cry 5
  • Far Cry New Dawn
  • Farming Simulator 19
  • Final Fantasy XV
  • Football Manager
  • For Honor
  • Get Packed
  • GRID
  • GYLT
  • Just Dance 2020
  • Marvel's Avengers
  • Metro Exodus
  • Mortal Kombat 11
  • NBA 2K
  • Orcs Must Die 3
  • Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
  • Rage 2
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider
  • Samurai Shodown
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider
  • Steep
  • Superhot
  • The Crew 2
  • The Elder Scrolls Online
  • Thumper
  • Tomb Raider Definitive Edition
  • Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint
  • Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
  • Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist
  • Tom Clancy's The Division 2
  • Trials Rising
  • Watch Dogs: Legion
  • Wolfenstein: Youngblood

While these are the list of games that are confirmed to come to the platform, the list at launch was only 12 games long, with the rest coming later in 2019 or in 2020. Immediately before launch, this list was updated to 22 games. In addition to standalone titles, Google Stadia will support game subscription services. While there's no word if EA Access will ever make its way to the platform, Ubisoft's Uplay+ will be available. It costs $14.99/month and grants you access to over 100 titles — including new and upcoming games along with all DLC packs and other post-launch content.

Google will "regularly release" free games for Stadia Pro subscribers (more on that below), but similar to something like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Games for Gold, it'll likely just throw you a free title here and there. If you really want to build up your library, you'll need to purchase titles as you do right now for existing consoles.

Perhaps even more exciting, Google's also launching its own first-party game development studio where it'll not only be creating new first-party games but also working with other studios to get Google's cloud technology in the hands of as many developers as possible.

The Stadia Controller offers the best gameplay experience

While Stadia works with all of your existing game controllers, keyboards, and mice, Google's also launching a new Stadia-specific controller.

The controller has a pretty typical design, including two analog sticks, a directional pad, bumpers, etc. It's available in three colors (Clearly White, Just Black, and Wasabi) and features two buttons specific for Stadia — a Share and Google Assistant button.

The Share button enables users to instantly share their gameplay to YouTube. Users can control if they want to keep the shared video private, only send it to certain friends, or have it be publically viewable. When the stream is shared, it'll be in 4K at 60 FPS.

As for the Google Assistant button, this works with the controller's built-in microphone and allows you to issue voice commands as you would with any other Assistant-enabled device, Unique to the Stadia controller, you'll be able to use Assistant to access special in-game features.

You can purchase controllers for $69 each, and if you pick up the Stadia Founder's Edition, you'll get a limited edition Night Blue one.

Stadia ties in seamlessly with YouTube

Gameplay videos are huge on YouTube, and with Stadia, one of the main focuses is to make it easier than ever to capture and share your gaming moments.

On Stadia, Google is introducing a new feature called Crowd Play. If a YouTuber is livestreaming themselves playing a game, they can allow their audience to instantly jump in the game with them via Stadia by clicking a button on the video. Additionally, if you're watching a trailer for a game like Assassin's Creed Odyssey, there will be a button that allows you to instantly jump in the game and start playing in as little as five seconds.

Furthermore, if a player finds themselves stuck on a level or can't find a hidden collectible, they can use the Google Assistant to find a tutorial video and be on their way.

And, as mentioned above, the Stadia controller has a physical button dedicated to sharing your gameplay on YouTube.

Here's what kind of internet connection you'll need

Since Stadia is entirely internet-based, you obviously need a good connection in order to play. The better your speed, the better your experience will be.

At the bare minimum, Google recommends you have speeds of 10 Mbps. This will enable you to play in 720p at 60 FPS with stereo audio. At 20 Mbps, things are amped up to 1080p, HDR, and 5.1 surround sound.

Lastly, if you want the best possible Stadia gameplay and need that crispy 4K goodness, Google recommends having a connection of at least 35 Mbps.

There are two versions of Stadia

Google's making Stadia available through two distinct plans — Stadia Pro and Stadia Base.

Stadia Pro will set you back $9.99/month and is the ultimate way to experience Google's gaming vision. You'll have access to up to 4K resolution, a 60 FPS frame rate, and 5.1 surround sound. You'll also get regular free games (Destiny 2: The Collection being the first one) along with "exclusive discounts on select game purchases."

If you don't want another subscription to deal with, Stadia Base might be for you. The gameplay quality is downgraded, including up to 1080p resolution and stereo sound, but you'll retain a frame rate up to 60 FPS. You'll also miss out on the free games and Stadia Pro discounts.

When and where will Stadia be available?

If you want to be among the first to access Stadia, you'll need to pre-order the Founder's Edition. It includes access to Stadia Pro and will allow you to play starting on Nov. 19. If you want Stadia Base, you'll need to wait until 2020.

When Stadia does launch, it'll work in the following countries:

  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Among those countries, Google does note that Stadia will not be available in the state of Hawaii or Guam.

You can pre-order the Founder's Edition now

If you want to be among the first to play Stadia, you'll need to pick up the Stadia Founder's Edition.

The Stadia Founder's Edition costs $129, is available exclusively through the Google Store, and comes with the following:

  • Chromecast Ultra
  • Limited edition Night Blue Stadia Controller
  • Three months of Stadia Pro for you and a friend
  • First dibs at your Stadia name
  • Destiny 2: The Collection

Google says the Founder's Edition is being sold in limited quantities, so you'll want to act fast to ensure you get your hands on it. Stadia Pro is currently only accessible by buying the Founder's Edition of Stadia.

The early reviews for Stadia have come in

Early reviews for Stadia have been released and so far, they are a mix of mediocre to increasingly negative impressions. Many reviewers, like those at Wired, are having issues with the service in less-than-ideal settings, while others, such as The Verge, note that even if the technology works, the list of games and features are threadbare.

You want this

Stadia Founder's Edition

$129 at Google Store

Be among the first to play Stadia.

The Stadia Founder's Edition is available for pre-order now and is necessary to be among the first to access the service. Not only do you gain early access in November, but you also get a Chromecast Ultra, Stadia Controller, and three free months of Stadia Pro for you and a friend.



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