Google has unveiled Stadia, the search-giant’s first entry into the gaming market. Stadia was shown today at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai introduced the world to Stadia, saying that he plays FIFA 19 “quite a bit” and that it’s a platform for everyone.
Google tested the service last year as ‘Project Stream’, which streamed Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to a Chrome tab, and Odyssey was demoed on stage today running on a laptop, phone, PC, tablet, and smart TV.
YouTube creators will have the ability to add a “play now” button to their videos, so if you’re watching your favourite streamer play a game, in theory you can play that game almost instantly, on the same device.
Google also unveiled the Stadia Controller, which looks like a mixture of the PS4 controller and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. The Stadia Controller will have a dedicated button to capture and share clips directly to YouTube, and another button to access Google Assistant for help.
Google is clearly aiming at taking on the current gaming giants like Microsoft and Sony, directly claiming that you’ll no longer need a home console. There’ll be stiff competition however, as Microsoft have their xCloud service which will stream Xbox games to PCs and phones, while Sony already stream games online.
Stadia will support true 4K resolution and 60 FPS, with the promise of 8K support in the future.
Surprisingly, Google say the service will support cross platform multiplayer, presumably between PS4, Xbox One, and PC, including carrying over save data and progress.
Google have also created a first party development studio called Stadia Games and Entertainment which is led by Jade Raymond, the founder of Ubisoft Toronto and Motive Studios.
Stadia will launch in 2019 in Canada, the US, the UK and most of Europe, but there’s no word on pricing yet.
