#GamingBytes: Is Google Stadia the future of gaming?
What's the story
What if you could play Assassins Creed: Odyssey on your mobile?
Sounds impossible, but with Google's newest cloud-based gaming platform, it will soon be a reality.
The new platform, Stadia, seems all set to disrupt the gaming industry.
With impressive frame rates, 4K resolution, cross-platform gameplay, and freedom to use almost multiple devices, Stadia seems like a revolution.
Is it one? Let's find out.
Details
But first, what exactly is Google Stadia?
Announced at GDC (Game Developers Conference) 2019, Stadia is Google's cloud-based game-streaming platform.
It streams games from a remote data centre to almost any device.
This includes laptops, phones, tablets, TVs, MacBooks, and more.
Since all processing is handled by Google's hardware, you can play any game, anywhere, as long as you have a screen, a fast Internet connection, and your controllers.
Advantages
Pros: No console, PC or hardware required, 4K resolution
It is a novel concept and seems like the right step. It does have its pros and cons though.
Let's talk about its advantages:
You can play across platforms and don't need any hardware, as any controller, keyboard-mouse combo can be used.
It supports 4K resolution at 60 fps, delivering an awesome experience.
No downloading/updating would be required and players can also broadcast games.
Limitations
Cons: High-speed Internet required, unavailable in many countries
The biggest hindrance to Stadia is, in order to stream at 4K with 60fps, you need high-speed Internet (25-30 Mbps), which is not available in many countries.
Google hasn't announced any pricing plans or potential revenue streams.
Stadia can be a success only if it is priced right.
It would face competition from Microsoft, Amazon, and Valve.
Notably, PlayStation already offers a similar platform.
What about India?
Find out: Will Google Stadia click with Indian gamers?
Google will initially release Stadia in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe.
Even if it releases in India, it won't attract many users.
Why? Because Stadia is a platform that completely relies on a fast Internet connection and very few areas in India have such fast speeds.
It might work here a few years down the line, probably when 5G is launched.