Google jumped the gun way too early ahead of E3 2019 to follow-up its Stadia reveal from GDC. The console-less gaming platform powered by the cloud unveiled a lot more detail in its first Stadia Connect- essentially a Nintendo Direct-style presentation.
https://youtu.be/k-BbW6zAjL0
Here are all the important details about Stadia:
Launch Date And Countries
Stadia will first launch in November 2019 in the following countries:
- Belgium
- Finland
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- UK
- USA
Internet Connection Requirements
You need a minimum of 10Mbps to use Stadia. But it only needs 35Mbps to deliver the best streaming output- 4K resolution, 60fps, HDR with 5.1 Surround sound.
You can test your current connection if it’s ready for Stadia here.
Pricing
Stadia requires no console purchase- any device that can run the Chrome browser or a display with a Chromecast plugged or selected phones (starting with the Pixel 3 and 3a) will do.
The Stadia Controller is also an optional purchase- any supported controller and keyboard and mouse are accepted input methods.
Game purchases are as you’d expect – just buy the games you want to play. No mandatory subscription.
There is, however, a premium subscription ala PS Plus, the Stadia Pro.
Subscription – Stadia Pro
For $9.99 USD (around RM41.45) per month, Stadia Pro users get the following benefits:
- 4K resolution
- 5.1 surround sound
- Additional free games
- Exclusive discounts
The first free game included in Stadia Pro is Destiny 2: The Collection, which includes all current DLCs, expansions, and the upcoming Shadowkeep expansion.
Non-premium users, Stadia Base, gets to stream games up to 1080p resolution. Though this will be rolled out next year.
Launch games
The Stadia Connect announced four new games. First is Baldur’s Gate 3 developed by Divinity Original Sin developers Larian.
Destiny 2’s third-year expansion, Shadowkeep was officially revealed here.
https://youtu.be/92ZTyVWzTNc
The two other games are from indies. Gylt by Tequila Works and Packed Up by Moonshine Studios.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk3Qp_npjxE
https://youtu.be/hUUCpdc9-6I
https://youtu.be/nx21mOYsb2k
As listed on this post on Google’s support page, here are the launch games that will be available for purchase:
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Baldur’s Gate III
- Borderlands 3
- Darksiders Genesis
- Destiny 2
- Doom (2016)
- Doom Eternal
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- Farming Simulator 19
- Final Fantasy XV
- Football Manager
- Get Packed
- Grid (2019)
- Gylt
- Just Dance 2020
- Metro Exodus
- Mortal Kombat 11
- NBA 2K
- Rage 2
- Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Samurai Shodown
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- The Crew 2
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Thumper
- Tomb Raider Definitive Edition
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
- Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
- Trials Rising
- Wolfenstein: Youngblood
UPDATE 7/6/2019: We’ve updated the list of games from the ones listed on the Stadia Founder’s Edition to the one found on Google Support.
Founder’s Edition
This is an optional purchase for those who wanted to be the first to play on Stadia. The Founder’s Edition costs $129 USD (around RM535.31) includes the following:
- Exclusive Night Blue Stadia Controller
- Chromecast Ultra
- Three months of Stadia Pro
- 1 Buddy Pass (three-month Stadia Pro subscription for a friend)
- First dibs on your Stadia Name (online gamertag)
- Founder’s Badge
Stadia will be available first in 14 countries across the US and Europe for Founders in November, with plans to continue expanding the service to more countries in the future. We’ll see how long it takes until it reaches Southeast Asia.