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Google Stadia games, release time and UK price: All you need to know about new gaming platform

Google Vice President Majd Bakar speaks on-stage during the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this year: AFP/Getty Images
Google Vice President Majd Bakar speaks on-stage during the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this year: AFP/Getty Images

The words 'Google Stadia' has been on almost everyone's lips ever since the tech giants announced gaming industry plans last spring.

The concept is groundbreaking - a new digital platform providing console-standard gaming facilitated by streaming. To put it simply, we'll no longer need powerful consoles to play top-end computer games.

But what games will be available via the Stadia, how much will it cost and how will it work?

Ahead of its release today, we answer everything you need to know.

How does Google Stadia work?

Stadia is a cloud-based platform that will allow players to stream and play different games wherever they are. Instead of playing on a console, all you need is an internet connection and a compatible device, such as a Google Pixel 3 or 3a smartphone, a Chromecast and a smart TV, or a PC in the Google Chrome browser.

The Pro version of Google stadia promises to offer up to 4K gaming, speeds of up to 60 fps (frames per second – which is pretty fast) and surround sound.

If you’re playing at home, there is a Stadia controller which uses Wi-Fi to connect directly to the specific game running in the data centre. The controller also has two extra buttons compared to the normal console controller, one to capture footage and one to bring up the Google Assistant.

What time is the launch and release?

Google Stadia servers will go live at 5pm GMT for UK users on November 19.

What games are coming to Google Stadia?

There are more than 30 games coming to Google Stadia at launch, with other publishers set to announce subsequent titles.

Launch titles announced so far:

  • Football Manager 2020

  • Attack on Titan: Final Battle 2​

  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

  • Final Fantasy XV

  • Grid 2019

  • Wolfenstein: Youngblood

  • Red Dead Redemption 2

  • Tomb Raider 2013

  • Mortal Kombat 11

  • NBA 2K20

  • Thumper

  • Kine

  • Rise of the Tomb Raider

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider

  • Red Dead Redemption 2

  • Trials Rising

  • Just Dance 2020​

  • The Elder Scrolls

  • Rage 2

  • Gylt

  • Farming Simulator 2019

Will FIFA 20 be available to play?

FIFA 20 hasn't been confirmed yet, however this is definitely one to look out for in the future.

How much does it cost?

Google Stadia will be available to play if you if you purchase a Stadia Pro subscription.

For £8.99 a month, players get access to the best features of Stadia, including the ability to play games in 4K, at 60fps and with surround sound. They will have access to all the free games to play, as well as discounts on purchasing other games to buy.

The Google Stadia controller has two extra buttons, one for capturing content and one for Google Assistant (Google)
The Google Stadia controller has two extra buttons, one for capturing content and one for Google Assistant (Google)

There will be a free version on its way, named Stadia Base, but you’ll have to wait until 2020. This will offer gaming speeds of up to 1080p/60fps with stereo sound, and you’ll be able to buy games, not stream titles for free the way you can with the pro subscription.

Is this the Netflix for gaming?

Not exactly. With Netflix, you pay a monthly subscription fee and you can watch all the shows, documentaries and films on the platform at no extra cost.

With Stadia Pro, there will be some games you have to pay to play. Essentially the subscription allows players to access the best of Stadia, so the ability to stream AAA games with all the fancy tech behind it to make the experience exceed playing on a console, and there will be a few games that are available to play for free, but there will be certain games you have to pay in order to access.

Paying for the Pro subscription means gamers will receive a discount when purchasing titles, but more details on the specific discount will be available come November.

In contrast, services like Xbox Game Pass offer gamers access to a range of games for a monthly subscription fee. If there’s a game that isn’t on Game Pass, then customers can purchase and download it from the Microsoft Store. However, with Game Pass you download the games, not stream them the way you do on Stadia.

It is an interesting concept to bring streaming into the gaming world. This has been fairly difficult to pull off before as it needs such a strong internet connection. However, Stadia draws on what The Verge calls Google’s “beefy servers” in the company’s data centres which allows it to offer gameplay with little to no lag.

Google Stadia is available to pre-order from the Google Store

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