Google Stadia is a cloud gaming service developed and operated by Google. Its development underscores the shift from owning games to making them available via download licenses and now via on-demand streaming. Cloud gaming seems to be the future of gaming. The remaining question is how the market shares will be divided between services like Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, Stadia, Steam and others. Therefore, streaming games is an evolutionary step in gaming, parallel to the disruption of the video and music market. Remember how Netflix moved from DVD shipping to video streaming and Apple transformed from iTunes to Apple Music.
How does Google Stadia work?
Google Stadia streams games directly from the Google Cloud to your device. A Google Account and a stable internet connection is required to use the service. Extra hardware is not needed. You can simply use your computer or smartphone, but Google also sells the Stadia Premiere version with Chromecast Ultra and a controller. However, the quality of game streaming is significantly influenced by the Internet speed and the processing power of the hardware used.
What games can I play with Google Stadia?
Google Stadia can be used for free without a subscription. However, in this case, only games that have been purchased from the Stadia Store can be played. Thus, the number of games is currently still limited and ranges around 200-300 games. In the future, Google Stadia could seek collaborations with other game distribution platforms (e.g. Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Origin, uPlay) or even acquire game companies (Alphabet has the cash). Completely free (without subscription or purchase) are three games: Crayta, Destiny 2, Super Bomberman R Online.
In addition, Google advertises the Stadia PRO subscription service. For a monthly fee of €9.99 (price varies by region), users can add games to their Stadia games library. Every month there are different games to add. As long as you are subscriber to the service, you can play those games. If the subscription is interrupted, one does not have access to the PRO games anymore. A positive thing: If you subscribe to the service again, you can pick up where you left off with saved scores.
In the Stadia Store you can also purchase games. You can play them even if you are not a Stadia PRO subscriber. It is worth waiting for a sale, since prices seem relatively high without offers.
An overview of all games playable on Stadia can be found here: https://stadia.google.com/games
What are the benefits of subscribing to Stadia PRO?
A Stadia PRO monthly subscription allows users to stream in up to 4K resolution, 5.1 surround sound, and offers a growing collection of free games that the user has access to while they are subscribed. For those who wanted to try the service, there is a free trial month. You can extend the trial for three months. Either you kindly ask the Lenovo community for a promotion code or you buy a code at Gamivo for about 1$. Enough time to think about a Stadia PRO subscription.
Is Stadia the future of gaming?
Answering the main question: Yes, Stadia can be the future of gaming. I tested the service (with free trial). However, i will not pay for the service in the near future. The main problems are community and availability of games. People have already invested a lot of money in their game libraries on Steam, GOG, Epic Games, etc. and are unwilling to re-buy the games from Stadia. Rather, there is a need to access these games om Stadia, to attract gamers. The future of Stadia therefore depends heavily on Google’s commitment to the Stadia platform. Cloud gaming is the future and Google Stadia will dominate this field if they make strategically smart acquisitions (buy Ubisoft!) and tie cooperation partners with money to their platform.
Stadia and the Stadia logo are trademarks of Google LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries.