Google Stadia price, console release date and games: What we know about so far

Google has its sights set on the gaming industry with the launch of new digital platform Stadia, which will allow users to stream games without the need for a console.

The tech giant’s latest endeavour will allow users to access games that have traditionally only been available to download or be purchased on disc using just an internet connection.

Google is promising better-than-console quality games at high resolution and 60 frames per second, with surround sound.

A new controller was also unveiled at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Google is hoping to capitalise on its partnership with YouTube, which has proved an extremely popular platform with gamers who share tips and skills online.

Phil Harrison, Google’s new head of gaming, said: “In a world where there are more than 200 million people watching game-related content daily on YouTube, Stadia makes many of those games playable with the press of a button.

“If you watch one of your favourite creators playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, simply click the ‘play now’ button.

“Seconds later, you’ll be running around ancient Greece in your own game, on your own adventure – no downloads, no updates, no patches and no installs.”

At launch, Google Stadia will work on existing desktops, laptops, TVs and phones.

Google is expected to trickle out more details about Stadia as they edge ever closer to its release date, but here’s what we know so far:

When will Google Stadia launch?

Google is yet to announce a release date, but they did reveal that Stadia would launch at some point in 2019 in the US, UK, Canada and Europe.

What games will be available on Google Stadia?

So far, the only game announced for the service is id Software’s major title Doom Eternal.

According to Google, the game will run on Stadia at 4K resolution with HD colour at 60fps.

This is not the first time Google has experimented with game streaming. In 2018, as part of their Project Stream initiative, the firm made the Ubisoft game Assassin’s Creed available to play via the Chrome web browser.

Google Stadia price

Google has remained tight-lipped about the price of Stadia, but critics have already been speculating whether the platform will run as a subscription service similar to that of Netflix.

Using Sony’s streaming service PlayStation Now as a benchmark, which charges a subscription fee of £12.99 a month, tech website Inverse estimates that Stadia could be within a similar price range, though it’s unclear how much the Stadia’s controller will cost or whether it will be included with each subscription.

Google Stadia controller features

One thing Google was able to show off at the announcement event was their new custom controller.

In addition to a USB port and headphone jack, the slick controller has dedicated buttons for Google Assistant- powered voice features, YouTube sharing and capturing video of your gameplay.