While companies like Sony and Nvidia have previously attempted game streaming services, none have succeeded like Google Stadia. In this article, we'll delve into what Google Stadia is and everything you need to know about this innovative game streaming service.
Essential Insights into Google Stadia
Unraveling the Mystery of Google Stadia
As mentioned earlier, Google Stadia is Google's new game streaming service, set to revolutionize how games are delivered directly to players. This means gamers won't need to invest in expensive high-end hardware to play AAA titles. Another advantage of Google Stadia is the absence of game downloads. It's a significant leap in Google's gaming service offerings. When you fancy a game, simply hit the Play button, and the game will start running.
2. Requirements for Running Google Stadia
Google Stadia doesn't require you to invest in expensive hardware; you can play games directly on your Pixel smartphone or Chromecast Ultra device. If you don't have a Pixel phone or Chromecast Ultra, you can stream games directly on your computer through the Google Chrome browser. The only requirement is a high-speed Internet connection. As of now, Google Stadia only operates over Wifi with speeds of over 25 MB/s. Google plans to make Stadia compatible with 5G mobile networks in the future.
3. Google Stadia: Seamless Experience
During a pivotal speech at the GDC conference, one of the key points Google emphasized was continuity. According to Google, over 2 billion people worldwide play games or enjoy watching gaming-related content. However, game developers still struggle to reach this audience due to lack of information or barriers that players face when trying to access games, which can be discouraging.
Google aims to address this issue by not only allowing users to discover games but also enabling instant access without any hassle. For example, if you're watching a trailer for a game you're excited about and want to play, traditionally, you'd need to check if the game is supported on your gaming console, then purchase it from the store and wait hours for it to download and install before you can play.
With Google Stadia, players no longer have to go through all of this. When you watch a game trailer on YouTube, you'll see a 'Play Now' button. Just click this button to start streaming the game instantly. With a good internet connection (over 25MB/s), AAA titles like Assassin's Creed Odyssey will start streaming and be playable within 5 seconds. Gaming has never been easier.
However, that's not the most remarkable aspect. The most remarkable aspect is that you can play games not only on a computer running the Chrome browser but also on smartphones, TVs, tablets, Chromebooks, and many other supported devices. Moreover, you can seamlessly switch between devices without losing your gaming progress. For instance, if you're playing Creed Odyssey on TV but someone in the house wants to watch a movie, you can continue playing on your phone to pick up where you left off.
4. Does Google Stadia Require a Specific Controller?
In addition to being an online streaming project, Google also introduced a dedicated controller for Google Stadia. Many people think they need to purchase the Stadia controller to stream games, but that's not the case. Google allows you to play games using your existing controller, keyboard, and mouse without needing to buy the Stadia controller. The biggest advantage of using the Stadia controller is the direct connection to Google's data center via Wifi, minimizing latency during gameplay.
5. Game Streaming Quality
Google Stadia promises to deliver the quality typically found only in the most powerful laptops on the market today. Depending on your internet speed, game streaming quality can be 1080p 60 FPS (frames per second) or 4K HDR 60 FPS. It's truly surprising that a game streaming service can achieve 60 FPS at 4K HDR quality.
6. Google Stadia: Multiplayer Feature
Google Stadia enhances the online multiplayer gaming experience. Whether you want to play sports games like FIFA 19 or Battle Royale games like Apex Legends, Stadia allows players to join multiplayer environments with low latency. Because both the game client and multiplayer server are hosted on Google's Data Center, the latency is nearly zero even when hundreds of people are playing the game simultaneously. Additionally, Google will support cross-platform compatibility to prevent players from using cheating or hacking tricks.
7. Google Stadia: Crowd Play Feature
The final key feature in Google Stadia is called 'Crowd Play,' targeting game streamers on YouTube. If you're a game streamer and want to engage with this community, one of the best ways is to allow viewers to play with you. On the other hand, if you enjoy watching game streams, being able to play games with your favorite streamer is fantastic!
YouTube Stadia will facilitate both streamers and viewers playing games together. When streaming a game, streamers can create a game lobby with Google Stadia, where their followers can sign up and wait for the opportunity to play with them. If executed correctly, this feature will be very useful for streamers looking to build a large and engaged community.
Also in the livestreaming realm, the way Facebook Live Stream works has been well-known and widely used for a long time. Currently, Facebook Live Stream is commonly used for online sales, tutorials from fan pages...