Google launched Google Stadium in November 2019 and it is a streaming service that allows the user to play high-quality video games on mobile, tablet, computer, or TV. The service, which was started up more than twelve months ago, does not seem to have reached as many Swedes. Almost no one I mention Stadia for seems to know what it is for anything and it indicates that Google has not succeeded in marketing Stadia.
Google Stadia is the name of both the game streaming service from Google and the name of the online store where you buy games from. Everything you buy is yours to keep, but you will probably pay full price for all the games you find in the Stadia store. It should be pointed out that there are some free games you can play as well but the majority of the games you have to buy.
The big advantage of a subscription with Stadia is that you do not have to invest in an expensive game console or computer, but you can manage with basic equipment.
The games also do not take up any space as the game is technically not at the player's home. The game is located on Google's servers and is sent to the screen you are currently using.
You can play via a mobile phone, tablet, simpler computer, or on TV with a Chromecast connected.
Also, Stadia has a built-in live streaming feature on YouTube Gaming.
Since its launch, Google has added nearly 100 new game titles to its range, which is positive.
The store has a wider selection of games and Stadia Pro, its subscription-based offer also has a better range of free games. Stadia's game selection is at least slowly getting better. The store now offers more than 100 titles that include Division 2, Doom Eternal, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 77, Metro 2033 Redux, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, and many more.
The basic advantages and disadvantages of the streaming service are no different compared to when the service was launched. The function is completely digital, so there are no physical disks that need to be stored anywhere. It is good if you do not have much space in your home. The downside, of course, is that you never actually own anything. If Stadia shuts down the service, there is a risk that all games you have bought will disappear. The advantage is that you do not have anything to download or update more than the Stadia app then and you do not have to think about whether the computer is powerful enough.
If you have data restrictions in your WiFi subscription, slow internet, or internet with poor coverage where you live, Stadia does not work optimally, which is a major disadvantage.
An internet connection speed of 10 megabits per second is the lowest recommended for using Stadia, but a higher speed than that is of course preferable. Of course, playing at the lowest recommended internet connection speed does not provide the best experience of a game.
It's really easy to forget that you're streaming games, especially when playing on a Chromecast Ultra TV.
Because the game you play is sent from the server where the game is to your screen, a minimal lag occurs that is barely noticeable even if it is there, which can be a minor disadvantage for the more professional player.
A subscription costs SEK 99 a month, but it only gives the subscriber free access to the free games and the opportunity to buy and play the games available in the game store.
If you want the opportunity to play on your TV, you can buy the Stadia Premiere Edition for SEK 1,100 and then you get a special wireless hand control and a Chromecast.Ultra.
The big improvements since the start in 2019 are that the range of games has increased significantly, that you can now easily stream your gaming directly to YouTube and that the different platforms you can play on are now more equal in terms of experience.
If you want to use Stadia with your smartphone, you first need to check if your smartphone is compatible with Stadia.
Google does not allow Stadia on all Android mobiles, Which is weird, because it's supposed to work as long as you have a good Wi-Fi connection.
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