Stadia is Google’s first gaming console, presented at GDC 2019. Here is Google Stadia, Google’s game streaming service: let’s see how it works.
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What is Google Stadia? How does it work?
The future of Google gaming is called Stadia: video games accessible by anyone anywhere. Here are all the details!
Finally, we are there: as widely anticipated by the rumors, Google Stadia was presented at GDC 2019.
What are we talking about? Simple, of the platform for the streaming of Google games, previously known with the code name Project Stream, which will be accessible by anyone and on any device: desktop PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
In reality, however, Google Stadia is much more than all this. It is indeed an ecosystem for everyone, for those who want to watch video games, for those who want to play video games and even for those who want to develop them. In short, a real revolution, at least on paper.
Here’s how Google’s top management presents this revolutionary technology:
We introduce you to Stadia, the new Google platform for amusing yourself with triple games wherever you want, on any device. The future of video games is not a console.
The service created by the Mountain View giant has been designed to provide a gaming platform accessible by anyone, will allow simultaneous streaming of games and will use Google’s data center band to make direct streaming and not that of its own line.
Instant Access: what a show!
One of the strengths of the service is the Instant Access.
Imagine watching a gameplay video on YouTube and seeing the Play button appear. Pressing the button, within 5 seconds you will be projected inside the video game. Extraordinary, isn’t it?
So YouTube in effect becomes a hub for discovering games and where to play them.
And in all this don’t forget that Stadia is not a console, it is not a hardware platform, it is something accessible from any device.
With Google Stadia no download, no installation and no patches to download will be required.
In short, the revolution in the gaming world has arrived, and it is branded Google!
Dedicated controller
The new gaming platform, as well as being compatible with USB joypads, keyboards, and mice, can also be used with the new controller created by bigG which will guarantee some exclusive functions including a button to stream YouTube and one to activate the voice assistant.
Interestingly, the voice assistant provides extra information on the video game you are facing: if you get stuck in a Shadow of the Tomb Raider tomb, you can ask for help via Google Assistant and a video solution appears on the screen that helps step by step overcome the obstacle.
Games in 4K and 8K on Google Stadia
The games, as stated, can be performed with a resolution in 4K, in HDR mode and with a constant framerate at 60 fps, provided you have a proper connection.
Support for 8K will also be introduced in the future.
We do not have precise details on the servers and hardware that will move everything, but we know that the Google ” Stadia GPU” has more graphics power than that of an Xbox One X or PS4 Pro: 10.7 TFLOPS, against the 6 of Xbox One X and 4.2 of PS4 Pro.
We also know that the GPU of Stadia GPU has 56 computational and HBM2 memory units, while the CPU is a 2.7 GHz x86 custom processor accompanied by 16 GB of RAM.
In short, the performance of Google’s hardware seems phenomenal, so much so that it allows simulation of the change in real time of the flow of fluids and much more without undergoing slowdowns. There is even talk of Battle Royale with thousands of players.
You will need a 25 megabit per second connection to stream in Google Stadia
According to Google, a 25 megabit per second connection will be needed to receive a video quality stream equal to the one generated by the current consoles, in 1080p high definition and updated 60 times per second.
To reach a 4K resolution, a 30 megabit per second connection will be needed instead.
Cross-play for everyone!
Developers will also have the ability to enable cross-play for their titles, allowing Google Stadia users to challenge players on every existing gaming platform.
Exclusive functions
Google Stadia also promises exclusive features, including:
- sharing your game saves via State Share
- the possibility of joining multiplayer games, with a simple click, thanks to the Crowd Play system regardless of the device used.
Google Stadia like Netflix, but for games
It is clear that, with this announcement, Google has decided to become the Netflix of gaming and obviously many illustrious names in the sector, including Ubisoft, id Software and Epic Games, have decided to support the project. The same applies to the graphics engines among which Havok, Unreal Engine, CryEngine, Enlighten and others have been mentioned.
Compatible devices with Stadia
Not being based on a physical console but on the power of Google’s servers, Stadia can be used on any device in your possession that can run Chrome.
From the obvious PC to the tablet, via the smartphone and the television, where it will be enough to connect a Chromecast.
Everything will be streamed, using an Internet connection to play video games remotely, which will be treated as a sort of episode of a TV series on Netflix.
Output and prices
But when will Stadia arrive? During 2019 in the USA, Canada, UK and most of Europe. since from the map displayed during the conference, there would seem to be data centers also in the Bel Paese.
The appeal still lacks different information: in fact, there was no mention of prices and the minimum bandwidth required to access the service.
In the summer months, the Mountain View giant should reveal new information, given that Google Stadia should debut by the end of 2019.
GOOGLE STADIA – MAIN FEATURES
- Play where you want, when you want:
Play on any device, including laptops, desktop computers, and selected phones and tablets.
- New game modes via YouTube and beyond:
Switch from a video to a game in seconds, with even more innovative experiences soon available for selected games.
- Up to 4K HDR at 60 f/s:
Play the way you like it, with amazing HDR graphics and smooth viewing. Viewing in 4K HDR at 60 f/s depends on the bandwidth. The gaming experience may vary depending on the quality of your Internet connection.
- Play immediately:
No updates or downloads required. Start playing right away.
- Constant improvement:
Stadia’s cloud-based infrastructure evolves to meet the needs of YouTube players, developers, and creators.
Google Stadia: details on prices, games and launch date will be revealed on June 6th
Google in the past few hours has officially confirmed that we will be able to discover all the information on Google Stadia on June 6, 2019, during the Stadia Connect event, which can be followed in live streaming starting at 18:00.
A clear message sent to the competitors in the week preceding the start of E3 2019 (11-13 June): Google is eager to provide all the details of Stadia, anticipating the important announcements related to the gaming world that will follow one another.
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