Out of nowhere, Google announced Google Stadia a new gaming platform in the first quarter of 2019 – a platform in which they claim will change the course of gaming. Now the question is, will Google Stadia revolutionize the gaming industry?
What is Google Stadia?
In an attempt to win the hearts of gamers beyond the already-established platform wars between PC, Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo, Google have created a gaming platform that makes it easy for all gamers to access.
Thus, Google Stadia was announced: a new “affordable” way to play video games anytime and anywhere. How? Through cloud gaming – a new way of playing video games using any device as long as you have a controller and a fast connection whether wired or wireless. That means you can play Cyberpunk 2077 and DOOM Eternal at max settings albeit using a widescreen LED TV or a phone.
This means you will never need to worry about hardware specs much like worrying what parts you need in order to play modern games at ultra settings with 4K and up to 144 fps on the PC. Through cloud gaming, Google Stadia can let you stream games up to 4K and 60 fps as long as you have at least 35 Mbps. But if your internet connection is at least 10 Mbps, you can still play games from 720p to 1080p at 60 fps.
As for hardware specs, the Google Stadia cloud hardware will have a modified AMD GPU, Intel Core CPU up to 2.7 GHz with AVX2 and 9.5 MB of L2+L3 cache, 16GB of RAM and an expandable SSD.
Most of all, the platform will also require you to sign up for its subscription service in order to keep you playing.
Why Buy Google Stadia?
Google wants everyone to experience triple-A gaming first-hand. With Google Stadia, the borders of console wars may finally wither if it means easy access to games wherever you go. You can play any of Stadia’s official games as long as you have a Google Chrome browser – be it on TV, on the PC or even mobile. Connect your Stadia controller and watch its magic unveil in front of you.
Also, Google Stadia is the cheapest console at launch starting at $129. Its “Pro” subscription service – should you choose to pay – costs $9.99.
This all seems not bad at all but, the question is, will it last long?
The Problems of Google Products
Google has never had a good reputation for making flagship products last long – especially with hardware. Remember Google Glasses? That faded away into oblivion. Do you recall the time when they said Google+ will be Facebook but better? Well, look where it is now.
Google was even involved in the gaming console OUYA back in 2012. If you are familiar with the name, OUYA was supposed to “revolutionize gaming” – a similar goal to what Google Stadia is trying to elaborate on now. However, the Android-powered console did not last long; its release was a flop in 2013 and services were immediately terminated by the end of 2015.
However, we never saw Google this confident before – as if they assure that Stadia will make people forget about their bad products and will put fear into the already-established gaming platforms.
Will they succeed? Only time will tell.
Why Gamers Do Not Like the Stadia
Not everyone can afford a 35 Mbps internet connection. The fact that you will need it in order to play the game at its highest settings is quite bothersome for many; because on top of paying monthly for the internet, you will also have to pay up for the Stadia subscription service. Couple those with paying games at full price and the problems start to stack up.
While Google did address that the Stadia is the cheapest at launch, they never told you how anti-consumer it is in the long run. Unlike its monthly fees, consoles and the PC only need a one-time payment plus the games in order to play them. As for Stadia, you will have to constantly pay up every month.
So, will it revolutionize gaming? Possibly. But if anything, the platform could be more anti-consumer than EA and Activision throwing microtransactions.
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