Google Stadia, proceed with extreme caution

Google has teamed up with AMD as they jump head first into gaming with Stadia. Their brand new streaming platform that runs on custom AMD GPU’s in their datacentres to deliver high resolution gameplay to any compatible device — mobile, tablet, smart TV or desktop.

Google’s Netflix for games comes at a time where people are questioning the need or place of consoles in today’s markets but the real question is whether it can truly replace a physical gaming device with just a screen and controller. Latency, a gamers worst nightmare is the biggest concern for Google who seem very confident despite the likes of NVIDIA still cautious about expanding their gaming streaming service, GeForce Now.

While the initial tests for Stadia featuring Assassins Creed Odyssey were extremely successful, once the user base expands to far corners of the world its bound to get trickier. Especially since the network requirements are bound to be take a toll with Stadia offering up to 4K 60 fps and support for HDR.

As of now we don’t have too much information on the entire lineup, but there seems to be a good working relationship with Ubisoft and we could see more than Assassins Creed Odyssey. We also know Doom Eternal will be a part of the launch lineup, but beyond that there isn’t much information but a big library is crucial to Stadia’s success and Google knows that but is keeping their cards close to their chest. The biggest concern over Stadia, however, is the pricing model, there is no information right now but if its something along the lines of Xbox Games Pass or Netflix would be ideal given the substantial internet cost that will go along with it.

The idea of a game streaming service has been around for a while and despite NVIDIA having all the horsepower for gaming, it’s Google who probably has the right infrastructure to make this work. Google’s Stadia looks promising, but as any PC or console gamer will tell you, latency is their biggest hurdle and its one that won’t go down easily.

Stadia is expected to roll out in the United States, Canada, UK and most of Europe sometime later in 2019 and it's worth following it closely.