Opting to skip the glitz and glamour of E3, Google hosted its own livestream today dedicated solely to the Stadia. Dubbed Google Stadia Connect, today's livestream answered many of the burning questions gamers had following the platform's initial reveal back in March.
For those unfamiliar, Google Stadia is a game streaming platform that allows you to play games anywhere with internet connection on any device that supports Google Chrome, including TVs, desktops, laptops, and smartphones (starting with Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a). Obviously, one of the biggest questions is what type of internet connection you'd need to play games smoothly on Stadia.
The
recommended minimum to play games in 720 at 60 fps is 10MBps. 20Mbps will get you 1080p at 60fps in 5.1 Surround, while 35Mbps is considered the best and will allow for 4K HDR video at 60 fps in 5.1 Surround.
Google Stadia will this November for those who purchase the Founder's Edition, which is available for pre-order today for $129. The Stadia Founder's Edition comes the Chromecast Ultra and the exclusive Night Blue Stadia Controller to allow gaming in up to 4K on your TV, as well as three months of Stadia Pro (and a Buddy Pass to share with a friend), a Founder's badge, and first dibs on a Stadia name.
Stadia Pro is a monthly subscription for $9.99/month that allows gaming in up to 4K resolution at 60 fps in 5.1 surround sound. It also includes access "to an ever-expanding library of free games" starting with
Destiny 2: The Collection (includes all previously released DLC and the upcoming
Shadowkeep expansion). Stadia Pro-exclusive discounts on select game purchases will also be available.
Those who don't by the Founder's Edition will have to wait until the Stadia Base launches next year. This free option will provide general access to Stadia's cloud gaming services, allowing you to play games instantly without a traditional console or downloading them first. All you need with Stadia Base is access to a device with Google Chrome on it and you can enjoy any game you purchase through Stadia without the hassles of regular updates or downloading.
Google Stadia will support a number of games at launch, including
Tomb Raider Trilogy, Final Fantasy XV, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, The Division 2,
The Crew 2,
Borderlands 3,
Mortal Kombat 11,
DOOM Eternal and more. These games will be available for purchase on Stadia and aren't necessarily included for free with the Stadia Pro monthly subscription.
Google Stadia will launch this November
in 14 countries, including the United States and Canada. For more answers to general questions, check out the
FAQ.