Google unveils Stadia service to stream games on any device along with Assistant-equipped controller

Google has taken the wraps off of its new gaming service. 

Dubbed ‘Stadia,’ the gaming platform operates entirely on the cloud and lets users ‘instantly’ stream games on any device, without the need for pesky downloading. 

The service is slated to launch later this year, with more details about available game titles expected to come in the next few months.  

Stadia ditches the traditional console; instead, users can play games with their existing laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets or phones, as well as their own keyboard and mouse. 

‘Play instantly. No updates, no downloads,’ Google said. ‘Jump right into the game.’ 

Google CEO Sundar Pichai debuted Stadia at the annual Game Developer Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. 

The search giant also rolled out its first Google-branded Stadia game controller, which is integrated with its AI-powered Google Assistant. 

 

Google has taken the wraps off its new gaming service and a new Google-branded controller. Called Stadia, it operates entirely on the cloud and lets users play games from any device

WHAT IS STADIA? 

Stadia builds on Google’s ‘Project Stream’ initiative, which let users play high-quality games in Google Chrome.

The service runs on ‘any screen type.’ 

It also ditches the traditional console.

Instead, users can play games with their existing laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets or phones, as well as their own keyboard and mouse. 

Stadia supports up to 4K resolution with HDR color at 60 frames per second and could soon support up to 8K resolution at up to 120-plus frames per second. 

The service is slated to launch later this year, with game titles expected to be announced this summer. 

Stadia builds upon Google’s ‘Project Stream’ initiative last year, which let users play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in Google Chrome with their own PlayStation or Xbox controller.  

Similarly, Stadia allows users to play high-quality games that are streamed from Google’s cloud. 

The service was created with gamers, developers and even YouTubers in mind, according to the firm. 

‘We wanted to build a game platform for everyone,’ Pichai told the audience at GDC.

‘…We want sharing games to be as easy as sharing a link and clicking on it.’ 

Stadia games can be streamed on laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets, and phones, making it possible to ‘game where you want, when you want,’ according to the firm.

The service supports up to 4K resolution with HDR color at 60 frames per second and could soon support up to 8K resolution at up to 120-plus frames per second.

‘Enjoy gaming the way you love, with beautiful HDR graphics and smooth frame rates,’ Google said.  

Google has taken the wraps off its new gaming service and a new Google-branded controller. Called Stadia, it operates entirely on the cloud and lets users play games from any device

Google has taken the wraps off its new gaming service and a new Google-branded controller. Called Stadia, it operates entirely on the cloud and lets users play games from any device

Phil Harrison, a former Sony and Microsoft executive, debuted Stadia on stage at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. It supports up to 4k resolution at launch

Phil Harrison, a former Sony and Microsoft executive, debuted Stadia on stage at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. It supports up to 4k resolution at launch

Stadia ditches the traditional console; instead, users can play games with their existing laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets or phones, as well as their own keyboard and mouse

Stadia ditches the traditional console; instead, users can play games with their existing laptops, desktops, TVs, tablets or phones, as well as their own keyboard and mouse

While Stadia users can play with their own mouse or keyboard, Google is also launching its own controller. 

It’s unclear what the Stadia controller is priced at, however. 

The wireless controller connects to Stadia through WiFi and has a capture button that lets users share their games instantly to YouTube so others can tune in. 

There’s also a Google Assistant button that enables voice-activated controls for in-game features. 

Stadia is built atop Google’s data network, which consists of fiber optic links and subsea cables. 

The firm says it has 7,500 edge note locations around the globe, making its data centers closer to players and allowing for low-latency network connectivity. 

Low-latency networks are crucial for online gameplay, as it prevents glitches and delays in content playback. 

That’s infrastructure that ‘no one else has’ and makes Stadia the ‘most powerful gaming platform’ available, said Majd Bakar, head of engineering at Stadia, on stage at GDC.  

Google CEO Sundar Pichai debuted Stadia at the annual Game Developer Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. Pichai said the firm wanted to 'build a game platform for everyone'

Google CEO Sundar Pichai debuted Stadia at the annual Game Developer Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. Pichai said the firm wanted to ‘build a game platform for everyone’

Stadia lets users play high-quality games that are streamed from Google's cloud. The service was created with gamers, developers and even YouTubers in mind, according to the firm

Stadia lets users play high-quality games that are streamed from Google’s cloud. The service was created with gamers, developers and even YouTubers in mind, according to the firm

Many had predicted Google would launch something at GDC this week. The company sent out invites for a keynote address giving limited details other than the words ‘Gather around’ 

Many had predicted Google would launch something at GDC this week. 

Last month, Google sent out invites for a keynote address at GDC, slated to take place on March 19th at 10am (PT), with little information other than the words ‘Gather around.’

Rumors began circulating in 2018 that Google was making a move into gaming with its secretive ‘Project Yeti.’ 

A report from The Information detailed how the search giant was eyeing the creation of a game streaming service that could work either on its Chromecast or a Google-made console. 

Google reportedly discussed Yeti with game developers, but it is unclear whether any of them will develop a game specifically for Yeti or only make existing streamed games available, the Information reported.

The report also claims the firm has developed several iterations of Yeti so far, as it discusses the project with ‘top-tier gaming developers.’

Aside from Google, Amazon and Apple are also rumored to be mulling their own game streaming services.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk