At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, USA, Google announced its new cloud gaming service, Stadia, that would allow players to stream games directly to their Google Chrome browser, Chromecast, and Pixel devices. For those of you who missed the stream, we’ve included some key highlights from Google’s presentation at the GDC to bring you up to speed.
No hardware is required, Stadia is just a video game streaming platform.
Stadia is not a console but a streaming platform that allows players to connect to Google’s data centers and play video games by streaming directly to their Google Chrome browser. Compared to current gen consoles with the PlayStation 4 Pro clocking in at 4.2 GPU teraflops and Xbox One X’s at 6.0, Stadia is powered by a custom built AMD GPU that will deliver 10.7 teraflops of power making it more powerful than a PS4 and Xbox One combined. Google’s Stadia will come with 4K HDR support with a targeted 60 FPS at launch, with plans to increase it to 8K resolutions and 120 FPS in the future.
No Download and Installation of Games required.
No Hardware = No Downloads. Simple as that. All the games are stored in Google’s data centers, you just need a good internet connection to access it.
It will work on Laptops, Desktops, TVs, Tablets, and Phones.
Stadia will work across laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets, and phones. Google also demonstrated on stage how a tester played a game of Assassins Creed Odyssey on a laptop before he relaxingly moved on to pick up a Pixel 3 XL phone to continue the game from where he left off. Mobile gaming has a whole different meaning now.
Instant Access to Play.
After watching the latest trailer of your favourite video game on YouTube, you could click on a “Play Now” button for any Stadia available titles. Doing so will transit you, from watching the video, into playing the said game in a mere 5 seconds. How freaking amazing is that?
YouTube and Stadia
You can capture your favourite gaming moment and share it directly to YouTube with ease. One of the main attraction here is that your friends and viewers can actually join and play alongside you! Stadia has a Crowd Play feature that includes a lobby system that allows the players to match up with YouTube content creators.
The Stadia Controller.
Google’s Stadia controller looks suspiciously identical to Sony’s DualShock 4 controller in terms of design and layout but without the touchpad. According to Google, the Stadia controller connects directly to Google’s own data center via WiFi, hence “eliminating” any latency issues. The Stadia controller allows the player to instantly share the game’s moment to YouTube with just a click of a button. There is also a Google Assistant button that is connected to the controller’s built-in microphone so that players can get help from the Assistant for special in-game features integrated by developers.
It is worth noting that while the Stadia would work with other controllers, mouse, and keyboards, you do not need the Stadia controller to access the streaming service. Google has not announced the price and when the controller will be available yet.
Doom Eternal will be on Stadia.
Google has confirmed that Doom Eternal will be one of the first titles to launch on Stadia, with 4K HDR and running at 60 FPS <3.
Stadia will have its own exclusive titles.
Every console or platform will need its own exclusive titles, they are important for the brand’s identity after all. Google has created a new studio for this purpose, Stadia Games and Entertainment, led by industry veteran, Jade Raymond, the new Google VP who has worked at Electronic Arts, Sony, and Ubisoft. Google further disclosed that more than 100 development studios already have the dev kits for Stadia, and more than 1,000 creative minds and engineers have already begun working on titles for the Stadia.
Release Date and Price.
Stadia will launch somewhere in 2019 in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe first. The rest of the world will have to wait for the availability announcement at a later date. As of right now, there is no information on the price yet.
Google’s full presentation at the GDC
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