Google’s entry to the gaming platform space now has a firm release date. Stadia will launch on November 19th, opening first for those that purchase the Founders’ Edition or Premier Edition.
For the uninitiated, Google Stadia is a new gaming platform where there is no console- everything is streamed. Though it still uses a similar business model to a traditional console. As in, you buy the games you want, and there’s a premium subscription, Stadia Pro, that gives additional games plus free games each month. This is not a Netflix for games, which Xbox Game Pass and PS Now are.
The fact that Stadia has to make this video to explain what it is goes to show how exactly this platform is doing right now.
As for most of you readers in Southeast Asia, this is essentially nothing. Stadia has no plans to be available in our region yet, and we probably don’t have the internet infrastructure that allows everyone to stream games. Besides, gamers here have no problems with buying a console, it’s buying games. Which a monthly subscription service would solve, not Stadia.
Anyway, let’s just see if game streaming catches on in the near future or not with Stadia.